Senior Manager of Assessment in Manchester

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.

Help shape assessments that impact hundreds of thousands of learners every year. This is an opportunity to lead a talented team at the heart of AQA's assessment delivery. You'll play a key role in ensuring high-quality assessments are developed, quality assured and delivered accurately, helping learners take the next step in their education. Your leadership will directly influence the quality, fairness and reliability of qualifications used by schools and colleges across the UK and internationally.

As a Senior Manager of Assessment, you'll lead a team of Assessment Managers, Assessment Support Managers and Assessment Coordinators, providing direction, coaching and oversight across the assessment cycle. You'll work with colleagues across Assessment and the wider business to ensure assessments are valid, reliable and delivered to the highest standards while driving continuous improvement and championing best practice.

In this role, you'll be responsible for:

• Leading and developing a team, creating an inclusive culture where people can perform at their best and continue to grow.
• Ensuring assessment materials are planned, managed and delivered to agreed quality, regulatory and customer standards.
• Managing risks, issues and delivery plans across your subject portfolio, taking ownership of escalations when necessary.
• Working with senior stakeholders across AQA to influence decisions, improve processes and deliver successful outcomes.
• Providing leadership across Assessment Management and contributing to strategic projects and business initiatives.
• Championing assessment quality, continuous improvement and good assessment practice across the organisation.
• Using data, insight and performance measures to inform decision-making and improve delivery.

What's in it for you? This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on education while developing your leadership career within one of the UK's leading education charities. Lead a high-profile team responsible for assessment materials used by hundreds of thousands of learners each year. Work alongside subject experts and senior leaders, influencing strategic decisions and continuous improvement initiatives. A 35-hour working week with flexible, hybrid working. 25 days' annual leave, plus additional office closure in December and bank holidays. A fantastic pension with up to 11.5% employer contributions, wellbeing support, volunteering opportunities and extensive learning and development resources. The opportunity to join a range of employee networks including LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, disAbility, Empowering Women, Wellbeing, Ethnic Diversity and more. The chance to be part of a values-led organisation where your work helps create fair and reliable assessments for learners.

You'll thrive in this role if you have:

• Experience leading and developing teams, including coaching, performance management and creating development opportunities.
• Knowledge of assessment, education or similarly regulated environments where quality, accuracy and compliance are critical.
• Experience managing risks, resolving complex issues and delivering outcomes through others.
• The ability to analyse and interpret data to inform decisions and measure impact.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to influence at all levels and explain complex issues clearly.

You'll enjoy this role if you're a collaborative leader who can bring people together, make informed decisions and balance strategic thinking with operational delivery.

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.

What's Next? To apply, please submit your CV and supporting statement outlining how your experience aligns with the requirements of the role. Application deadline: Applications will close at 23:59 on Monday 10 August. Interview process: Interviews will be over two stages from the week beginning 17 August, a teams interview followed by shortlisting, then a face to face interview in either the Manchester or Guildford office, whichever is closest to you. Expected start date: as soon as you are available.