Application Delivery Manager

At AQA, we’re committed to advancing education and we’re committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and it’s our people who make this happen.

Application Delivery Manager

Permanent

Manchester

• leading multidisciplinary internal Functional teams, supplier partners and matrix-managed business analysis and testing resources as one coordinated delivery function
• agreeing priorities and allocating capacity across strategic projects, product enhancements and releases
• resolving resource pressures, challenging unrealistic demand and escalating material risks with clear options
• holding internal teams and delivery partners to account for quality, pace, value, risk and agreed outcomes
• strengthening Agile delivery, governance, quality assurance, testing, release management and documentation
• building a forward view of demand, skills, capacity and sourcing needs as the application portfolio grows
• coaching your direct reports, developing capability and creating clear ownership for successful transition into live service

You’ll be comfortable making decisions across a complex portfolio while bringing people with you and keeping the focus on achievable outcomes.

Working arrangements: Hybrid, with two days a week in the office including Thursday as the team anchor day

Shape how enterprise applications change is delivered across AQA.

This is a new senior leadership role with the scope to shape AQA’s Enterprise Applications delivery approach. You’ll bring internal teams, specialist partners and matrix-managed resources together to deliver high-quality, impactful change across a growing software portfolio that includes Dynamics 365, Power Platform and enterprise AI. Your decisions will help AQA maximise our growing technology investment and support the services colleagues and customers rely on to deliver fair assessment for learners.

You’ll join the Enterprise Applications leadership team and lead the functional technology change delivery teams. This is an IT leadership role focused on building Product development delivery capability and achieving business outcomes. You’ll own the view of delivery demand, capacity and capability, make evidence-led choices about priorities and sourcing to optimise the blended operating model that can grow with AQA’s needs.

The opportunity to shape an evolving function, influence important technology decisions and make a meaningful contribution to education while growing your leadership impact.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At AQA, we're committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels they belong and can do their best work. We value the different perspectives, experiences and backgrounds our people bring, knowing they strengthen our culture, decision-making and impact. We foster an inclusive environment where everyone is treated with respect, has access to opportunities to grow and contribute, and feels able to be themselves. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences.

What’s Next?

Apply with your CV and a cover letter.

Application deadline: 26th October

Interviews: Two stages are anticipated. The first is expected to be an online competency and technical interview w/c 2/11. The final stage will be face to face in our Manchester office w/c 9/11.

#STEC

Purpose: To provide leadership and accountability for the Enterprise Applications change delivery team, ensuring internal teams, supplier partners and matrix-managed functions, operate as an integrated delivery function, aligned to AQA’s strategic priorities.

To apply best practice change approaches to define, drive, evolve and embed the change delivery model to maximize delivery efficiency, effectiveness and output excellence, ensuring strategic projects, continuous Improvement enhancements and functionality releases are delivered efficiently, safely and in support of business priorities.Landscape:

The Enterprise Applications portfolio is experiencing increasing demand for application enhancements, strategic project change, platform evolution and AI-enabled capability. The volume, complexity and pace of change are increasing as the application landscape and functionality expands, and organisational priorities evolve.

Reporting into the Head of Enterprise Applications and part of the Enterprise Apps Leadership team, this role manages and drives the team change delivery engine. Using both internal and 3rd party resource, this includes direct line management of internal Senior Functional Consultants and matrix management of Analyst & Test functions. The role works closely with the Product and Support areas of the team to ensure products in the Enterprise Apps portfolio deliver maximum value and benefit for our customers and stakeholders across the organisation and, where applicable, the Group. Wider stakeholders include colleagues in Enterprise and Assessment Technology, Change Programme/ Portfolio Managers and business teams. Core products in the current stack include Dynamics 365, Power Platform, Enterprise AI. The product stack coverage within the remit may expand and evolve over time

The change delivery approaches must support AQA’s ongoing alignment with legal/ regulatory requirements and standards such as UK GDPR, ISO27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus. Active risk management and robust continuity planning are key to this provision of reliable and secure applications

Activities:

Key Accountabilities: