Assessment Design & Principles Lead 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.

Purpose

Imagine a role where your expertise shapes assessment design that hundreds of thousands of learners rely on for their future. With assessment reform and OFQUAL’s digital exam consultation on the horizon, you will influence the future of education and make a national impact. As an Assessment Design and Principles Lead at AQA, you’ll be at the heart of creating fair, valid, reliable, and forward-thinking assessments. You’ll guide the development of both traditional and digital assessment models, champion evidence-based principles across the organisation, and act as an expert voice influencing reform, innovation, and best practice. This is your opportunity to be a trusted authority, one who ensures every assessment we produce truly supports learners, teachers, and the wider education system.

You’ll join a team that values depth of expertise, curiosity, and collaborative energy. In this role, your insight will shape national educational outcomes while giving you the space to innovate, lead, and influence meaningful change across AQA. You’ll work with people who are passionate about assessment quality and committed to developing new approaches that reflect a rapidly evolving digital landscape. You will experience the satisfaction of knowing that your thinking, your leadership, and your advocacy for fairness directly impact diverse learners across the country. You’ll also grow your own career through exposure to cross-functional projects, and the chance to represent AQA as a subject matter expert both internally and externally.

AQA benefits also include a fantastic pension which could see combined contribution of 18.5%, 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) and up to 4 days for volunteering.

Key Responsibilities

You will lead the development of assessment design principles that strengthen validity, fairness, manageability, and reliability across all GCSE and A Level qualifications. You’ll collaborate closely with internal and external partners to design high-quality assessment models, while ensuring alignment with current research, policy, and regulatory expectations. In this role, you will play a vital part in shaping digital assessment design and influencing providers to deliver exceptional digital exam experiences. Your work will also involve steering evidence-informed improvements that elevate quality.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading the creation and refinement of assessment design principles that uphold the highest standards of validity, fairness, reliability, and manageability.
• Designing and advising on assessment models for both traditional and/or digital contexts, ensuring our qualifications reflect best practice and emerging innovations.
• Promoting good assessment practice through training, knowledge sharing, and expert guidance.

Application and Interview Process

To apply, please upload your most recent CV with a cover letter outlining your motivation and suitability for the role. Please note, there also is a question on application regarding assessment design. Applications will close at 23:59 on Monday 06 April 2026. Interviews will be over two stages - a video interview in the week commencing 20 April. Following another shortlisting process, you may then be invited to participate in an in-person interview in the Manchester office from 4th May 2026.

We are looking for someone to start in role as soon as possible. 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. To help drive these ambitions, AQA invests in the development of its people by offering a range of professional development and learning opportunities leading to over 50% of our permanent roles being filled internally.

Reasonable Adjustments

If you have any requirements for reasonable adjustments in relation to the application, interview or the prospective job, please contact Faye Harrison (she/her) at fharrison@aqa.org.uk or on 07813 724161. We are asking for this information to make the process as equitable as possible for each candidate. Please note that Faye will not be able to assist you with enquiries regarding Temporary vacancies or non-recruitment enquiries. If you have a query regarding Temporary vacancies, please contact: temprecruit@aqa.org.uk.

Smart Working

We’re operating a smart working model. This allows for our colleagues to work from two days a week in one of our offices across England.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

AQA is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone - regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background - is valued, respected, and supported to thrive.

Conflict of Interest

Please note that due to the confidential nature of our work, we are unable to employ people for our temporary roles who are currently a candidate for Key Stage 4 and 5 public examinations.

Safeguarding

AQA is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk. We’re dedicated to reducing the risk of employing or contracting any person intent on abusing their position of trust, along with identifying and responding to any incident of alleged abuse from its employees or associates fairly and swiftly. For more information on safeguarding at AQA please visit the AQA website.

Contact

Temporary roles: temprecruit@aqa.org.uk Permanent and Fixed Term roles: opportunities@aqa.org.uk