Head of Qualification Quality and Accreditation in Guildford

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.

About the role

At AQA, we’re shaping the next generation of GCSEs and A-levels. This is a rare opportunity to shape the quality, consistency and successful accreditation of nationally significant qualifications at a time of major reform and high-volume development. You will move beyond oversight into direct delivery, leading the frameworks, standards and cross-team ways of working that help subject teams produce high-quality specifications, specimen materials and assessment strategies that are right first time. You’ll play a pivotal role in reducing rework, improving alignment with regulatory requirements and enabling pace without compromising quality. This is a role for someone who enjoys solving complex problems, influencing across teams and turning clear quality principles into practical delivery. You’ll also see the direct impact of your work on qualification design, accreditation outcomes and the experience of schools and students.

What you’ll be doing

• You will lead the quality assurance and accreditation support function across qualification development. This will include:
• Leading the review and quality assurance of specifications, assessment strategies and Specimen Assessment Materials (SAMs), including detailed evaluation of complex materials to identify risks, inconsistencies and gaps, and provide clear, actionable feedback.
• Ensuring complete alignment across all materials before submission.
• Driving a “right first time” approach to accreditation, reducing the need for rework and resubmission.
• Designing, implementing and continuously refining quality assurance approaches that are robust, proportionate and scalable to support qualification development at scale.
• Working closely with qualification development, assessment design, product and compliance teams to ensure a joined-up approach.
• Engaging with Ofqual and supporting accreditation activity where required.
• Leading and developing a small specialist team, while influencing more widely across the organisation.

You’ll thrive in this role if you have:

• Demonstrable experience working within regulatory frameworks, ideally in a qualification development or accreditation environment.
• Subject matter expertise in qualification design, quality and accreditation, demonstrated through experience of developing or assuring qualification materials.
• Proven experience designing and implementing quality assurance approaches, rather than operating within established processes.
• Track record of working with specifications, assessment strategies and specimen materials within a regulated environment.
• Demonstrable attention to detail, with evidence of identifying and resolving misalignment across complex documentation.
• Ability to review materials critically and provide feedback that is clear, practical and actionable.
• Sound judgement in applying quality standards consistently, with the ability to take a proportionate approach where appropriate.

What’s in it for you

This is a high-impact role at a pivotal moment for AQA, shaping how national qualifications are developed and approved. You’ll have the opportunity to influence at scale, working across teams and with external regulators to improve quality, consistency and delivery.

• Impact and influence:
• A genuinely high-impact role shaping how GCSEs and A-levels are developed and accredited.
• The opportunity to establish and evolve a new quality and accreditation function.
• Exposure to senior stakeholders across AQA and external regulatory bodies.
• The chance to influence how qualification development is delivered at pace, without compromising quality.

• Working environment:
• A collaborative environment where your expertise and judgement directly shape how we work.
• Hybrid working, with around two days per week in the office.
• A 35-hour working week, supporting a sustainable and balanced approach to work.

• Reward and benefits:
• 25 days’ annual leave, rising to 30 with service, plus bank holidays and a Christmas closure.
• AQA pension contribution of 6% to 11.5%, depending on your level of personal contribution.
• Private medical insurance, life assurance and a health cash plan.

• Development and inclusion:
• Ongoing development opportunities, with access to learning and progression.
• The opportunity to be part of inclusive employee networks, including LGBTQ+, Empowering Women, Interfaith, Parents and Carers, Neurodiversity and Ethnic Diversity.

Our application process

Please include a CV and cover letter outlining your motivations and transferable skills, and complete a short application questionnaire as part of your application. Closing date: Wednesday 24th June 2026.

Early July Stage 1: 75-minute Teams interview focused on technical experience.

Mid July Stage 2: 90-minute face-to-face interview, including a task designed to assess attention to detail and your approach to quality assurance.

We aim to keep the process clear, focused and respectful of your time.

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 and 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.

An Enhanced DBS check is required for this role. AQA will arrange and cover the cost.