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Birmingham, England, United Kingdom
Remote only
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.
Regional Sales Manager - Central Region
Contract type: Permanent
Location: Home-based within the Midlands, East Anglia & M4 Corridor Region
Salary Central: £72,600 to £82,600
Working arrangements: Home-based with regular travel across the region to schools, colleges, customer locations and AQA offices.
Midlands, East Anglia & M4 Corridor Region
Including Birmingham, the West and East Midlands, East Anglia, Essex and key centres along the M4 Corridor.
Due to the size of the territory and travel requirements of the role, candidates must hold a full UK driving licence and be able to travel extensively throughout the region.
You will lead AQA's Central Region sales team, supporting schools and colleges across one of our most strategically important territories.
About the role
This is a significant leadership role with responsibility for leading and developing a team of Account Managers to deliver excellent customer outcomes and regional sales performance.
You'll work closely with schools, colleges and multi-academy trusts across the region, helping customers make informed decisions about AQA's qualifications, training and support services.
You'll play a key role in shaping a newly formed regional structure, helping establish its culture, approach and performance from the outset. As a member of the Commercial Leadership Team, you'll help shape regional and commercial strategy while strengthening AQA's relationships with schools, colleges and trusts during a period of significant change across education.
Purpose of the role
To lead and develop a high-performing regional sales team that delivers outstanding customer relationships, sustainable sales growth and increased market insight across the Central Region.
You'll create a positive performance culture, build strong customer relationships and use insight and data to identify opportunities that support both customer success and business growth.
What's in it for you?
Our qualifications support learners across the UK, and the work you'll do will directly influence the experience of schools, colleges and educators during a period of significant change across education.
In this role, you'll receive:
• A 35-hour working week and 25 days' annual leave, increasing with service, plus bank holidays and additional closure days around Christmas
• An excellent contributory pension scheme, with combined contributions of up to 18.5%
• Private medical insurance and access to AQA's Health Care Cash Reward Plan
• The option to join the Electric Vehicle Leasing Scheme
• Up to 5 paid volunteering days each year
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression
• The opportunity to shape a newly formed regional structure and influence its future direction
• Membership of the Commercial Leadership Team, contributing to wider commercial strategy
• The opportunity to support schools and colleges through a period of significant curriculum and qualification change
Key responsibilities
• Lead, coach and develop a regional team of Account Managers
• Create a high-performing culture aligned to AQA's values and expectations
• Drive regional sales performance and customer retention
• Support performance management, capability development and succession planning across the team
• Build and maintain relationships with schools, colleges, trusts and other education stakeholders
• Use sales, market and customer insight to inform decision-making and improve performance
• Work closely with Key Account Management colleagues to support strategic customer relationships
• Act as a customer escalation point where required
• Contribute to commercial leadership initiatives, projects and campaigns
You'll thrive in this role if you have:
• Experience leading, coaching and developing sales or customer-facing teams
• A consultative approach to customer engagement and relationship management
• Experience using insight, data and performance measures to drive results
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to work collaboratively across teams
• The ability to balance customer needs with commercial objectives
We are particularly interested in candidates who have:
• Experience supporting schools, colleges, multi-academy trusts or wider education stakeholders
• Experience leading geographically dispersed or field-based teams
• Experience managing performance and developing team capability through coaching
• Experience operating within a customer-focused commercial environment
What next? Application process
Please upload your CV and Cover letter with your motivations and transferable skills outline, along with completing the short application questions as part of your application.
Closing date: 23:59 Sunday 11th October 2026
The selection process is expected to include:
Outcomes are expected to be delivered by the end of October , early November 2026.
We're committed to providing a positive candidate experience and all applicants will receive a written outcome following their application.
Please note, this post is exempt from the ROA 1974 and enhanced DBS checks will be required for the successful candidate.
If you are currently working in a school or college, we will honour contractual notice periods.
If you are currently an AQA Associate, you would be required to relinquish your Associate role upon successful appointment.
Our commitment to inclusion
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.
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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.
Summary
The Regional Sales Manager is a business critical role responsible for the growth of AQA’s customer base within their region, including sales and gross profit performance and operational expenses budget. They manage and lead a multidisciplinary sales team with responsibility for the coaching, development and performance of the team collectively and as individual contributors.
