At AQA, we're committed to advancing education and 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.
Governance and Data Lead
14 month Fixed Term Contract (Maternity Cover)
Manchester (2 days per week in office)
Salary: £50,000 - £56,700
Working Arrangements: Hybrid - 2x days a week in the office
Introduction
You'll step into a role where your work has a direct impact on how AQA delivers fair and trusted assessments across the country. As part of a collaborative and forward-thinking technology environment, you'll help shape how systems, data and governance come together to support learners and teachers. You'll be joining a team that values curiosity, improvement and clear, meaningful outcomes—giving you the space to influence how system governance and data practices evolve across our enterprise landscape.
Purpose of the role
You'll lead and develop governance and data practices for AQA's enterprise applications, ensuring that systems, processes and data standards enable high-quality, compliant and customer-focused outcomes. This role sits at the intersection of technology, data and operational delivery, giving you the opportunity to shape how information is managed and how we optimize our system governance to support delivery of strategic objectives. You'll champion data quality, strengthen governance frameworks and work with teams across AQA to make sure enterprise platforms deliver value, resilience and long-term impact.
Key responsibilities
- Leading governance frameworks across enterprise systems – notably Dynamics 365, Power Platform and Copilot.
- Driving compliance, data stewardship and quality standards.
- Supporting technology and data alignment across major programmes.
What we are looking for
- Bring experience in data governance or enterprise data management.
- Understand SaaS enterprise system landscapes and data flows, including a CRM system (preferably Dynamics 365).
- Have strong stakeholder and communication skills.
- Can simplify complexity and drive best practice.
- Are motivated by improving processes and influencing outcomes.
What's in it for you
- Shape impactful, organisation-wide data and governance improvements.
- Grow and develop within a supportive environment.
- 25 days' annual leave, rising to 30 with service, plus bank holidays and extra closure days at Christmas.
- 35‑hour working week with flexible working arrangements.
- Excellent contributory pension scheme (6%-11.5% depending on your contribution).
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 welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.
Application process
To apply, submit your CV and complete the application form. The closing date is Tuesday 31 March. Interviews will take place w/c 6 April and w/c 13 April. We may close the advert early, so please apply as soon as possible.
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: The Governance and Data Lead is a key role within the Enterprise Applications team. As the IT Applications we use continue to rapidly evolve, offering exciting opportunities for new approaches and increased digital adoption across the organisation, this role ensures we continue to operate our systems in a safe and secure way. Responsible for defining, delivering and managing the governance approach used across some of our core systems, this requires applying expert knowledge of data management and IT governance best practice.
Landscape: The Governance and Data Lead reports into the Head of Enterprise Applications. The role line‑manages a Data Administrator and works closely with other roles in the team (e.g. Functional Leads, Product Owner), directing and influencing to ensure prioritisation and delivery of all aspects of governance. The role is also a key SME business partner interface to stakeholders across the organisation. Working closely with teams such as Data Protection Office, Security & Risk and architecture is key for success. The core systems are currently Microsoft Dynamics 365, Power Platform, Copilot studio and related applications. Core principles also cover the wider Enterprise Apps corporate solutions (e.g. Workday, iTrent).
This remit is critical to ensure the provision of services that enable 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
- Deliver, own and manage the evolving governance framework across our growing product set. This includes aspects of our broadening approach such as AI deliverables and enabling citizen developers.
- Ensure that the governance approach supports and enables both our digital adoption strategy and the optimal utilisation of our core systems to deliver maximum business value.
- Be the trusted SME to stakeholders of all levels across the business on matters relating to data structure, security, management and quality within our products.
- Inform and influence strategic decision making by leading and driving best practice initiatives.
- Drive cross‑departmental improvements and be a leading voice to shape change when representing the Enterprise Apps product set within relevant organisation‑wide governance and data forums.
- Work with senior stakeholders to set strategic direction for exploitation of data.
- Be the champion of data integrity on the systems, applying solid understanding of data management principles and best practice, and business data needs.
- Influence, steer and challenge data owners across the business to ensure they proactively engage with the best practice governance frameworks/policies and own and manage their data accordingly.
- Hold functional delivery teams and wider stakeholders to account to ensure system change deliveries and day‑to‑day working practices adhere to the defined governance approach at all times.
- Utilise relevant data monitoring/ oversight tools and perform basic system configuration.
- Manage relevant external suppliers, ensuring support services remain optimal at all times.
- Own and manage the processes relating to key governance aspects, e.g. user access, data retention.
- Develop, manage, monitor and continually improve governance policies, procedures and practices to ensure the team is always audit ready. Ensure compliance with all relevant standards.
- Own and proactively manage the departmental risk log, ensuring alignment with central framework.
- Drive cost‑effective system use by usage of appropriate licence profiles and ongoing tracking/review of licence allocation and approach. Provide all budget inputs for licence and usage system costs.
- Stay abreast of regulatory changes, best practice approaches and product updates to adopt a continuous improvement approach, ensuring the ongoing optimisation of our governance.
- Train, coach and support end users and data stewards. Support functional delivery as required.
- Model leadership behaviours and get the very best from direct/matrix managed reports and teams.
- Ensure AQA is safe and legally compliant by applying AQA's policies and other legislative/ regulatory requirements and standards, including ISO9001/ISO27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus.
- Where business needs change, undertake other responsibilities of a commensurate level outside the terms of this role profile.
To be successful in this role
- Experienced governance manager with a demonstrable track record of delivering and managing a robust data/system governance approach.
- Expert knowledge of data management principles, approaches and IT governance best practice.
- Strong knowledge and experience of relevant legislation and regulatory frameworks including UK GDPR, ISO9001/ISO27001, Cyber Essentials Plus.
- Experienced audit lead, used to successfully ensuring and demonstrating all required controls and processes are in place to meet and exceed audit requirements.
- Be a skilled communicator, influencer and negotiator to manage senior stakeholders and ensure the appropriate governance is always at the heart of our decision making.
- Have a customer‑focused approach, ensuring processes are always designed to optimise customer experience and value.
- ITIL qualification preferred.
- Strong understanding of the functionality and applications of process automation, CRM and AI toolsets. Direct experience of Microsoft Dynamics/Power Platform preferred.
- Have a continuous improvement (CI) mindset and a solid track record of CI delivery.
- Experienced people manager, who can drive and inspire individual and team performance.
- Operate in a structured way to prioritise competing demands and ensure effective fast‑paced delivery.
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