Senior Assessment Design & Principles Manager 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.

This role gives you the chance to work at scale and shape something that really matters. The work you do will influence assessments used by future generations of learners. Whether you choose to focus on General Qualification (GQ) reform or digital assessment, you’ll be at the centre of significant change. You’ll help define how assessment evolves, making sure it stays inclusive, reliable, valid and relevant while also being practical to deliver.

You’ll work with experienced, thoughtful colleagues across multiple teams, including qualification development, product, research and assessment. Your team will look to you for clarity, direction and support. It’s a role where your judgement is valued and your leadership has real impact.

You will lead a team responsible for establishing and embedding the principles that underpin high-quality assessment at AQA. That means making sure everything we design, whether paper or digital, is valid, reliable, fair and workable in practice. You’ll be a trusted voice across the organisation, helping others make well-judged decisions, particularly where quality and change intersect.

• A fantastic pension which could see combined contribution of 18.5%
• 35-hour working week
• 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 with service) and additional office closure of up to 4 days at Christmas
• Private medical insurance with BUPA
• A variety of employee networks (including LGBTQ+, DisAbility, InterFaith, Parents and Carers, Neurodiversity, Empowering Women)
• Up to 4 days for volunteering with charities and causes that are important to you

• Drive thought leadership and innovation in assessment design to ensure best possible assessment experience for learners
• Lead and develop a team focused on assessment design principles and quality
• Ensure consistent application of assessment design principles across qualifications
• Work with colleagues across the organisation to shape assessment models and approaches
• Act as a senior point of expertise and escalation on assessment design challenges
• Balance quality, pace, feasibility and risk, making pragmatic decisions where needed

• Have strong experience in assessment design, delivery, or research, or related areas
• Can apply principles like validity, reliability and fairness in real-world contexts
• Demonstrable evidence-based, research-informed decision-making
• Are confident leading teams and supporting people through change
• Can balance pace and quality, making clear and well-reasoned decisions
• Are comfortable working across both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Have an interest in either qualification reform or digital assessment (or both)
• Communicate clearly, even when dealing with complex or ambiguous issues

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.

Upload your most recent CV with a covering letter explaining your motivation and suitability and highlighting which of the two roles you feel most aligned with - Digital Assessment or General Qualification (GQ) Reform. Applications will close at 23:59 on Tuesday 7th July. Interviews will be over two stages before the end of July, a Teams interview and an in-person interview with shortlisting between.

AQA is an independent charity that sets and marks over half of all GCSEs and A-levels in the UK every year. Our purpose is to advance education by helping students and teachers to realise their potential. As part of AQA, you’ll very quickly appreciate the determination and unwavering passion to deliver this goal in everything we do.