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.

Strategic Copyright Lead

Permanent

Manchester: £45,400 - £54,700

Guildford: £47,300 - £57,000

Working Arrangements; Hybrid working with 2 days per week in the office

Introduction

Copyright is a key feature of educational assessment, learning resources and intellectual property management.

This is a newly created leadership role with the opportunity to shape how copyright is managed across the AQA Group. As Strategic Copyright Lead, you’ll provide strategic oversight of copyright activity, build influential relationships with publishers and third-party providers, and help establish a future-focused copyright framework that supports innovation while protecting compliance.

Working across the AQA Group, you’ll play a key role in influencing how copyright supports the development of qualifications, assessments and future products for learners across the UK and beyond.

Purpose of the Role

This role has been created to provide strategic leadership for copyright across the AQA Group and make sure copyright processes, relationships and frameworks remain fit for the future. You’ll lead the Copyright and Archive Team, oversee delivery of the new copyright framework and develop strong partnerships with publishers, rights holders and stakeholders across the organisation.

You’ll help embed a proactive approach to copyright, enabling colleagues to make informed decisions, manage risk and identify opportunities that support AQA’s wider strategy and growth ambitions.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you'll be responsible for:

• Lead and develop the Copyright and Archive Team, providing direction, coaching and support while ensuring the team can effectively manage changing priorities and workloads.

• Shape and deliver AQA’s strategic approach to copyright, including implementation of the new copyright framework and helping embed copyright best practice within AQA Education and across the AQA Group.

• Build strong relationships with publishers, rights holders and third-party partners, creating sustainable partnerships that support future assessment and product development.

• Provide insight, challenge and assurance to stakeholders, using reporting, risk management and informed decision making to balance business needs with copyright compliance.

What We Are Looking For

We’re looking for a collaborative leader who can combine specialist knowledge with strategic thinking, strong judgement and the ability to influence people in the right way.

• Strong copyright expertise, with a sound understanding of copyright compliance and the ability to apply it pragmatically within an educational environment.

• A proven relationship builder and influencer who can confidently challenge, negotiate and bring people with them, both internally and externally.

• Leadership experience, whether through direct people management or significant matrix leadership, with the ability to develop teams and drive change.

• Strategic and commercially minded thinking, able to see the bigger picture, understand the impact of decisions and identify opportunities that support AQA’s long-term objectives.

What’s in It for You

This is a rare opportunity to shape a newly created role at the centre of an organisation that impacts millions of learners.

• Work across a diverse portfolio of organisations and products, including qualifications, international assessments and emerging educational initiatives.

• Build influential relationships with publishers and partners, developing an outward-facing dimension of copyright activity.

• A 35‑hour working week with flexible, hybrid working

• 25 days’ annual leave (rising to 30), plus Christmas closure days

• Excellent pension (up to 11.5% employer contribution)

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

“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.”

Application Process

To apply, please submit your CV and Cover Letter by following the link provided. Closing date for applications is Sunday 30th August

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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: To lead the copyright team, undertaking the line management, growth and development of the copyright managers and the co-ordinator. To guide the team towards the delivery of short and medium-term plans that are in line with business area strategy and AQA’s corporate strategy, including accountability for the delivery and management of the new copyright framework, which will enable effective use of 3rd party materials across the AQA group and use of AQA IP with partners to the benefit of our customers.Landscape: AQA is a leading exam board and education charity. The work of our business area plays a major role in the development, delivery and evaluation of high quality assessment. This role supports our work in the delivery of a consistent AQA -wide copyright framework and an empowered and proactive copyright team which is crucial to our guiding principle of never letting a learner down and supports AQA’s mission to become the UK’s pre-eminent educational assessment organisation. The role will involve significant collaboration with stakeholders and partners across the AQA Group

Activities:
Defining the scope and outputs of the Copyright and Archive team in collaboration with key stakeholders across the AQA Group.
Programme managing delivery of outputs to agreed milestones, monitoring delivery plans to ensure they are on track and working with other managers to unblock issues.
Developing and managing new copyright reporting processes and ensuring stakeholders can self-serve to increase efficiency
Managing changes in third party copyright requirements decisively, understanding and communicating the impact of changes to teams and stakeholders clearly and effectively, and actively looking for solutions to issues
Supporting the training of associates and AQA colleagues in their use of third party material and shaping a cultural change within the organisation in relation to copyright
Regularly sharing and communicating progress of the team and associated projects with relevant stakeholders
Creating and managing risk and issue logs
Role modelling a one R&I collaborative approach to communications and ways of working, and in doing so build effective and strong working relationships within the business area, and across the wider business.
Ensuring the work of the team is understood, and well-communicated, both within the business area and within the wider business
Taking on extra responsibilities, for example directly leading on projects, where feasible and appropriate.

To be successful in this role, you will need to have:
A broad understanding of the opportunities and risks surrounding copyright compliance within the regulatory context in which AQA operates
Ability to understand and balance the multiple requirements of a customer-centric organisation, with those requirements set out in copyright law.
Ability to service the needs of a range of stakeholders across the AQA Group in relation to third party copyright and intellectual property
Excellent inter-personal and relationship management skills and ability to develop and maintain effective and impactful working relationships with a range of partners and stakeholders.
Demonstrable project and programme management skills, and the ability to deliver to KPIs
A results-focused approach enabling pragmatic decision making and delivery at pace
Flexible and responsive to changing demands, and willing to challenge the thinking of others and to champion new ways of working.
A positive and proactive mindset
Takes own development seriously, and responds constructively to feedback and challenge