Portfolio Analyst chez Aqa

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.

Portfolio Analyst

Permanent

Manchester: £55,000 - £62,000 / Milton Keynes: £57,000 - £65,000

Hybrid Working – 2x days a week in the office

Introduction

This is a brilliant opportunity to make a real impact in a high-profile role at AQA. As a Portfolio Analyst, you’ll play a key part in enabling successful delivery across your assigned portfolio—helping us make sure the right things happen at the right time.

Purpose of the Role

You’ll support effective decision-making through accurate insights and intelligence grounded in analysis. You’ll work closely with the Head of Delivery PMO to streamline project management processes and enhance the use of tools and frameworks—driving efficiencies, accountability and alignment across the portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you'll be responsible for:

• Designing, implementing and continuously improving frameworks for portfolio management in collaboration with Delivery Leads and sponsors.

• Enabling informed decision-making through portfolio-level governance and meaningful insights.

• Providing assurance on delivery by supporting accurate and timely maintenance of plans and RAID logs.

What We Are Looking For

You’ll thrive in this role if you’re a proactive problem-solver who enjoys working collaboratively and driving continuous improvement.

• Expert understanding of change and project delivery methods from conception to benefits realisation.

• Experience working in a portfolio environment using agile or scaled agile methodologies.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and collaborate.

• Strong attention to detail with a pragmatic approach and ability to see the bigger picture.

• Ability to assess complex information and deploy creative problem-solving skills.

What’s in It for You

By joining AQA, a leading independent education charity, you actually make a difference in the lives of millions of learners. There are lots of company benefits,  including private medical insurance, a fantastic pension (up to 11.5% employer contributions), a 35 hour working week, 25 days annual leave with additional office closure in December and bank holidays on top, membership of the leading PMO professional membership organisation, the opportunity to join lots of network groups (LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, disAbility, empowering women, wellbeing, ethnic minority and more) an extensive online learning platform, days for volunteering and more.

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 brief cover letter outlining your interest in the role. Application deadline: Thursday 30th October. We will be reviewing applications as they come and may close this role early.

#PRO22

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

As a portfolio analyst you will play a crucial role in enabling the successful delivery of initiatives within your assigned portfolio. Supporting effective decision making through accurate insights and intelligence grounded in analysis and thorough understanding of project performance and making sure that the right things are happening at the right time through effective and appropriate assurance of delivery within the portfolio. Leading on the definition, creation and continuous improvement of frameworks and processes within the remit of Delivery PMO making sure they are fit for purpose and proportionate to successfully achieve intended outcomes.
You will also work closely with Head of Delivery PMO streamlining project management processes and enhance the use of tools and frameworks to drive efficiencies, accountability and alignment within the delivery of your assigned portfolio.The Portfolio Analyst will work closely with the Delivery Lead and sponsor of their assigned portfolio providing meaningful insights and assurance. You will collaborate with programme and project managers as well as other delivery team members and stakeholders supporting and enabling the successful delivery of the portfolio objectives.
Activities:
• Lead on the design, implementation and continuous improvement of structures and frameworks for management of the portfolio in close collaboration with Delivery Lead & sponsor ensuring they are in line with agreed standards.
• Enable effective and informed decision making and prioritisation through portfolio level governance using meaningful insights based on analysis of delivery metrics and clear articulation of key challenges. Considering synergies and aggregations across the portfolio and highlighting where appropriate.
• Provide assurance on the delivery of initiatives and themes by working closely with project and programme managers in ensuring and supporting the accurate and timely maintenance and
Choose option 2 of 2
management of agreed artifacts, i.e. plans and RAID. Highlighting any potential areas for improvement and lessons learned.
• Provide education, training and first line support on the agreed frameworks, processes, and tools with the portfolio as well as supporting Head of PMO and Delivery Lead in championing these across the portfolio.
• Proactively surface key risks and issues to delivery within the portfolio and contributing to the resolution of these as appropriate to enable effective portfolio delivery.
• Champion and optimise use of project management tools in use for the portfolio, i.e. Project for the Web.
• Effectively run and manage change control processes and baselining as per agreed processes and frameworks within the portfolio.
• Actively contribute to the wider Delivery and Enterprise PMO teams. Sharing their expertise and demonstrating what good looks like, to raise capabilities and use of best practice. Contributing to the development and improvement of portfolio management processes driving continuous improvement of the PMO functions.
• Act as a bridge between the portfolio and enterprise level processes, frameworks and reporting.
To be successful in this role, you will need to know:
• Expert understanding of change and project delivery methods and associated controls from conception to benefits realisation, including local tailoring.
• Experience working in a portfolio environment preferably applying a range of delivery methodologies, i.e. agile and/ or scaled agile methodologies.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with proven ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Pay attention to detail, but be pragmatic – keeping the bigger picture in mind.
• Be proactive and use initiative to achieve a successful outcome for all involved in a timely manner.
• Act with discretion and integrity, probing and challenging in a professional manner.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to assess complex information, situations and issues and deploy creative and flexible problem solving skills looking beyond the obvious.
• Excellent ability to persuade and influence both internally and in externally. Postuler maintenant