External Affairs Coordinator

Permanent

London: £35,963-£39,915 or Manchester: £34,539-£38,334

Hybrid Working - minimum of 2 days in office per week

Do you want a role that strengthens your career in public affairs, policy, media and education, with exposure to meaningful and high‑impact work? Due to a promotion, we now have a role available in the External Affairs team.

The work of the External Affairs Coordinator shapes how AQA engages with the the wider education sector on vital developments across curriculum and assessment and wider education policy. You'll support meaningful influencing activity that helps create better outcomes for learners and contributes to education at a national level.

You'll coordinate and deliver external affairs plans that help AQA maximise its external impact. You'll bring clarity, structure and alignment across multiple teams so activity is well‑sequenced, purposeful and visible. If you have experience in similar roles, charities or education organisations we would welcome an application from you.

In this role, you'll be responsible for:

• Planning and coordinating activity across comms, policy and public affairs to keep external influencing work on track

• Maintaining and communicating a live forward‑planning grid of reports, events and publications

• Producing briefings, reports and updates that support senior leaders and external engagement

• Supporting the delivery of AQA's public affairs events programme

• Supporting External Affairs Senior Leadership Team with the development of the AQA's influencing strategy.

What's in it for you

• Opportunities to shape work that influences national education debates

• Career development through hands‑on experience across policy, public affairs and communications

• A supportive hybrid working environment

• The chance to contribute to education reform at an exciting time of change

• 25 days annual leave, rising with service, with additional office closure at the end of December

• Private Medical Insurance and a Healthcare Cash Reward Plan

• A great pension offer which could see combined contributions of 18.5%

• Up to four days leave to enable volunteering opportunities

Diversity and inclusion

At AQA, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives and drives better outcomes. Our ED&I strategy ensures that everyone-regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background - is valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We actively promote inclusive language, avoid stereotypes, and strive for representation across all dimensions of diversity. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.

What we are looking for

• You'll thrive in this role if you enjoy bringing structure, clarity and energy to a busy and fast‑moving environment

• Experience coordinating projects or activity across teams

• Strong written communication, including summarising information clearly

• Confident stakeholder engagement and relationship‑building

• Excellent organisational skills including scheduling, note‑taking and proofreading

• Interest and some experience in politics, and/or education policy

Application process

To apply, please submit your CV and complete the application questions. The application deadline is 23:59 on 16 March 2026.

Interviews will take place in person in the week beginning 30 March 2026.

Please note that an Enhanced DBS check will be required for the successful candidate.

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