Sector Engagement Manager – Member Relationships

Band: 5

Salary: £41,310-£52,020 per annum, dependent upon knowledge, skills and experience, plus excellent benefits

Join QAA

QAA is the UK’s independent quality body for tertiary education. Our purpose is to ensure that students and learners experience the highest possible quality of education.

We are the UK’s authority on quality and standards, acting as custodian on behalf of the sector of reference points including the UK Quality Code for Higher Education, Subject Benchmark Statements, and the Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications. 

We work with governments, funding bodies and education providers across the UK and internationally to support and enhance quality and standards. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, we work collaboratively with the sector to meet the needs of each nation. In England, our membership programme provides resources and support to strategic leads, quality specialists and students and learners alike.

Internationally, we are recognised as one of the world's leading quality bodies, supporting the reputation and reach of UK tertiary education through global partnerships and transnational education.   

About the role 

Our members get the most value from QAA when we understand their institution and its priorities. In this role, you will play an important part in making that happen.

As one of two Sector Engagement Managers for Member Relationships, you will manage a portfolio of UK member institutions and act as their main point of contact. Through regular, proactive conversations, you will build an understanding of each member's challenges and goals. You will help them make the most of QAA membership and connect them with the right expertise and opportunities across the Agency. These relationships are key to retaining our members, and you will play a central role in achieving our annual renewal targets.

You will also act as the member's voice within QAA. You will capture insights through our CRM, identify trends, risks and opportunities, and ensure member feedback helps shape the development of our services and strategy. You will also identify examples of member impact that can be shared as case studies to demonstrate the value of membership.

You will work closely with the Head of Sector Engagement, the second Sector Engagement Manager for Member Relationships, and the Sector Engagement Manager leading on member insight and engagement. You will also collaborate with colleagues across Membership Delivery, Business Development, and Digital, Marketing and Communications.

About you As a Sector Engagement Manager, you are at your best when building relationships. You might have developed this experience in account management, customer success, client relations or membership engagement. What matters most is that you have built trust with senior contacts and helped them get real value from what your organisation offers. You are curious about the people you work with and listen well, turning what you hear into practical next steps. You can spot early signs that a member or customer may be disengaging or at risk of leaving, and you know how to act on this. You are confident using a CRM to keep clear, consistent records and share insights with colleagues. You communicate clearly and persuasively in writing, in person and online, and are comfortable presenting to different audiences. You must be organised and can manage a varied portfolio without losing sight of the detail. You enjoy working across teams and bringing in the right colleagues at the right time. You will thrive in a remote-first team built on collaboration, openness and shared accountability. An interest in UK higher education and an understanding of the pressures facing the sector will be a real advantage in this role. If you do not have a sector background but do have relevant experience, we would still love to hear from you.

Working at QAA

We are a UK based remote first agency built on trust and flexibility, where we focus on outcomes rather than location. This supports strong delivery, collaboration and colleague wellbeing.

While most work is carried out remotely, there are occasional opportunities to come together in person for collaboration, engagement or specific activities where this adds value.

Application process

The closing date for applications is 15 November 2026 so please do not hesitate to apply.

More information about the role can be found in the job description. If you would like more information in advance of applying, please contact careers@qaa.ac.uk

To apply, please create a profile on our recruitment portal and submit your CV and a covering letter outlining your relevant experience and interest in the role (via the ‘Apply’ button above). Only applications which include a CV and a cover letter will be considered.

Recruitment process

If you are shortlisted, we will invite you to the next stage of our recruitment process. This will typically include a remote interview via Microsoft Teams and may also include a presentation, written exercise or practical task.

We will provide full details in advance so you know what to expect and have time to prepare.

Our commitment to inclusion

QAA is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and values the contribution that people from different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives bring.

We aim to create an environment where everyone feels respected, able to be themselves and supported to contribute and achieve their best. No matter what their identity or background.

We are committed to ensuring an accessible and fair recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments to participate in any part of the recruitment process, please contact us at careers@qaa.ac.uk so we can support your needs.

If you have not heard from QAA within three weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has not been successful on this occasion. Due to the volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual feedback. 

£41,310 to £52,020 per annum, dependent on experience + excellent benefits