Job Description

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.

Corporate Development Analyst

Permanent
London / Milton Keynes: £44,500 – £50,500
Manchester: £42,800 – £48,500
Hybrid – typically 2 days per week in the office

Introduction

You’ll join AQA at a pivotal moment as the organisation continues to diversify its activity and explore new ways to grow sustainably and responsibly. Alongside its core charitable purpose, AQA is becoming more active across commercial, partnership and acquisition opportunities, with increasing visibility in the market and growing expectations from government, regulators and sector bodies.

This role gives you the opportunity to support decisions that influence AQA’s future direction. You’ll play a key part in assessing opportunities, building insight and supporting M&A activity that helps AQA broaden its reach, strengthen its resilience and invest wisely in new areas of activity.

You’ll expand AQA’s capacity to assess business acquisition opportunities and support the full M&A lifecycle at a time when the pipeline is becoming increasingly active. As AQA becomes more visible in the market, the number and variety of inbound proposals has grown significantly. Your role ensures that opportunities are evaluated with rigour, pace and sound judgement, supporting confident decision‑making at senior and Trustee level.

In this role, you’ll be responsible for:

• Conducting initial assessments of acquisition opportunities, including commercial, financial and strategic fit.
• Supporting due diligence activity across Finance, Legal and other teams, ensuring information is accurate, proportionate and well‑structured.
• Preparing clear, insight‑rich briefing documentation for senior stakeholders, including Executive and Trustees.

You’ll thrive in this role if you bring:

• Strong analytical capability, with the ability to interpret financial information, models and datasets.
• A commercially aware mindset and the confidence to present insights clearly and concisely.
• Experience producing high‑quality written materials and slide decks for senior audiences.
• Comfort working with ambiguity and shifting priorities.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage sensitively and professionally with external parties.

You’ll make a meaningful impact while benefiting from:

• Exposure to high‑impact M&A work that directly shapes AQA’s strategic growth and diversification.
• Opportunities to build expertise in corporate development, strategy and financial analysis.
• 25 days’ annual leave, rising to 30 with service, plus bank holidays and additional closure days at Christmas.
• A 35‑hour working week with flexible working arrangements.
• An excellent contributory pension scheme (6%–11.5% depending on your contribution).
• Life assurance, BUPA private medical insurance and a health cash plan.
• Enhanced maternity and paternity schemes.

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. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.

Application process

To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter. Applications close on Wednesday 8 April

First stage will be held via MS Teams w/c 13th April.

Second stage interviews will be held in-person w/c 20th April

Recruitment Agencies

We have a preferred supplier list (PSL) in place.

Unsolicited CVs will be treated as a gift. We will not be subject to or liable under your terms and conditions for agency fees.

Full Job Description

Purpose:

This role provides dedicated analytical, research and documentation support to the Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) function, while also contributing to broader strategic planning activity when required.

The postholder will identify and assess acquisition opportunities, develop evidence‑based inputs for business cases, maintain models and datasets, and produce high‑quality insights to inform senior decision‑making.Landscape:
The role sits within the Strategy team, working closely with the Strategy and Business Development Manager (M&A), the Strategic Planning Partner, and wider stakeholders across AQA Group.
The role holders focus will depend on organisational priorities, but the primary emphasis will be on M&A activity.

Activities:
M&A Research, Target Identification & Evaluation Conduct desktop research to identify potential acquisition targets aligned to Group and Vocational strategies.
Produce initial evaluation summaries (e.g., one‑pagers) including fit, financial health indicators, and strategic rationale.
Support maintenance of the M&A pipeline, data rooms and tracking tools.
Assist in preparing commercial due‑diligence materials and collating information for internal review.

Business Case & Investment Documentation Support
Draft sections of internal business cases and investment papers for Executive and Board sign‑off.
Collate data and research to support strategic rationale, including market insights and competitor positioning.
Structure and format high-quality presentations for senior stakeholders.

Data Analysis & Modelling
Maintain quantitative models used for assessing growth opportunities and acquisition viability.
Update internal datasets and Excel models associated with market sizing, competitor performance and scenario modelling.
Process large data volumes, ensuring accuracy and integrity.

Market, Competitor & Policy Research
Gather and synthesise market and policy intelligence that informs both acquisition considerations and strategic planning.
Undertake desk research tasks to validate assumptions in business cases and strategic papers.

Reporting & Visualisation
Produce charts, graphs and tables for inclusion in Board packs, M&A papers and Executive presentations.
Support KPI tracking for Strategy and M&A delivery plans.
Respond to ad-hoc information requests from senior stakeholders.

Ways of Working
Expected to be highly self-sufficient, adaptable, analytically strong and comfortable switching between longer‑term modelling tasks and fast turnaround M&A activity.
Need to know (to be successful in this role, you will need to know):Essential Experience & Skills:
Strong analytical capability, including financial modelling and quantitative assessment.
Ability to synthesise complex research quickly and present it clearly.
Experience producing written materials for senior stakeholders.
High attention to detail and accuracy in data handling.
Comfortable managing multiple priorities and working at pace.
Desirable:
Experience in M&A, corporate finance, strategy consulting or related analytical roles.
Exposure to due diligence processes or investment evaluation.
Understanding of education, qualifications or regulated markets.
Values & Behaviours:
Demonstrates AQA’s values and leadership behaviours.
Committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Curious, evidence‑driven and proactive.
Able to work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders.
Comfortable working in ambiguity and taking ownership for progressing tasks.
Demonstrates high integrity and maintains confidentiality.