Strategy and Business Development Manager (M&A)

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.

Strategy and Business Development Manager (M&A) 

Fixed term (9 months maternity cover) 

Location; London 

Salary: £79,100 - £93,600  

Hybrid (minimum two days per week in the office) 

Introduction 

You’ll step into a high-impact role at the centre of AQA’s future growth. As Strategy and Business Development Manager (M&A), you’ll help shape how AQA expands into new markets, products and partnerships through mergers, acquisitions and strategic deals.   

This is a hands-on, senior role where you’ll take the lead on real opportunities, working alongside senior leaders and external advisers to assess, shape and deliver complex transactions. If you’re someone who can bring immediate expertise, thrive in fast-moving environments and enjoys working on high-profile, commercially critical work, this is a unique opportunity to make a visible impact. 

Purpose of the role 

In this role, you’ll support AQA’s corporate development activity by identifying, evaluating and progressing new growth opportunities. You’ll lead workstreams across mergers, acquisitions and partnerships, building evidence, shaping investment cases and supporting decision-making at Executive and Board level.   

You’ll work across a range of opportunities, partnering with senior stakeholders across the organisation and with external advisers to ensure robust analysis, clear recommendations and effective delivery. Your work will play a central role in AQA’s diversification strategy and future direction. 

Key responsibilities 

In this role, you'll be responsible for: 

• Driving M&A and partnership workstreams through due diligence, financial analysis and decision points, working with Finance, Legal and external advisers. 
• Developing high-quality business cases, papers and presentations to support Executive and Trustee decision-making. 
• Supporting Executives in identification and assessment of acquisition and partnership opportunities, including strategic fit, market attractiveness and commercial potential. 

What we are looking for 

You’ll succeed in this role if you: 

• Have strong experience in M&A, corporate development, transaction advisory or strategy, with the ability to step in and deliver from day one. 
• Bring deep understanding of the end-to-end M&A process, including due diligence, negotiation support and working with advisers. 
• Can build clear, evidence-based investment cases and translate complex analysis into compelling recommendations. 
• Are confident working with senior stakeholders, influencing decisions and preparing materials for Executive and Board audiences. 

What’s in it for you 

This is a role that offers real exposure, pace and impact. You’ll benefit from: 

• The opportunity to work on live M&A and strategic opportunities that shape AQA’s future direction. 
• A 35‑hour working week with flexible, hybrid working 
• Exposure to high‑profile, business‑critical programmes. 
• 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 a short supporting statement. Closing date for applications is Sunday 7th June.  

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

Summary

Purpose

This role provides senior-level corporate development support to the Head of Strategic Planning
and the Executive Director, with a primary focus on identifying, progressing and shaping new
strategic opportunities for growth.
The postholder leads discrete opportunity workstreams across mergers, acquisitions and
partnerships, developing robust evidence, analysis and recommendations to inform Executive
and Trustee decision-making. The role coordinates and oversees the delivery of new opportunity development, mobilising and directing a virtual team of functional specialist leads across the
Group.Landscape
The role sits within the Strategy team and reports directly to the Head of Strategic Planning. It operates at Group level and works in close partnership with the Chief Strategy and Vocational Officer, senior functional leads, Finance, Legal, senior leaders in AQA subsidiaries, and external advisers. The focus of the role is on new opportunities, including acquisitions and strategic partnerships.
Activities
New Opportunity Identification and Development
Lead the identification and initial shaping of potential acquisition and partnership opportunities aligned to group strategy.
Develop early-stage opportunity assessments, including strategic fit, market attractiveness and indicative financial returns.
Work with the Head of Strategic Planning to prioritise opportunities and agree progression routes.
M&A and Partnership Delivery
Lead assigned workstreams within live M&A or partnership opportunities, from initial assessment through to transaction decision points.
Conduct commercial due diligence and coordinating with Finance, Legal, Tech DD workstream and external advisers.
Work with the Finance team to develop valuation models, scenario analysis and investment logic to support decision-making.
Executive and Trustee Decision Support
Draft clear, high-quality papers and presentations for Executive Team and Trustee consideration, ensuring complex information is translated into clear options and implications.
Support the Head of Strategic Planning and/or Chief Strategy and Vocational Officer in preparing for Executive and Board discussions, including briefing notes and supporting analysis.
Business Case Development
Lead the development of investment cases for new opportunities, ensuring strategic rationale, financial evidence and risk articulation are robust and proportionate.
Challenge assumptions and test scenarios, escalating issues or uncertainties appropriately.
Ways of Working and Collaboration
Build effective working relationships across AQA entities to ensure opportunity development reflects operational and regulatory realities.
Model disciplined, pragmatic and delivery-focused ways of working.
Need to know (to be successful in this role, you will need to know):
Essential experience and skills
Strong experience in corporate development, M&A, transaction advisory or strategy roles.
Proven ability to evaluate new growth opportunities and develop evidence-based investment cases.
Strong financial modelling and commercial analysis capability.
Experience working directly with senior executives on complex strategic decisions.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including drafting papers for senior audiences.
Desirable
Experience operating within regulated environments.
Exposure to education, skills, assessment or adjacent markets.
Experience supporting M&A transactions through to completion.
Values and behaviours
Demonstrates AQA’s values and behaviours.
Exercises sound professional judgement and discretion.
Comfortable working with ambiguity and incomplete information.
Collaborative, credible and able to influence without formal authority.