Senior Manager Assessment Design & Principles 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.

As our Senior Manager for Assessment Design & Principles, you’ll lead a team of experts who define and champion what high quality assessment looks like - both paper and digital. You’ll be the organisation’s trusted point of escalation for assessment expertise, the person people turn to for key assessment design decisions because reform needs a steady, experienced hand. With your leadership, AQA’s assessments will remain fair, valid, reliable and inclusive. With assessment reform and OFQUAL’s digital exam consultation on the horizon, you will influence the future of education and make a national impact.

Key Responsibilities

Your team’s work shapes the assessment experience for hundreds of thousands of students. The policies and principles you set ripple out through assessment models, exam papers, digital platforms, and the decisions teachers and learners make every day. This is a role where your judgement is trusted, your voice is heard.

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+).

You’ll thrive in this role if you:

• Have deep expertise and experience in translating assessment theory into practice
• Can embed research evidence design principles into assessment models in reformed qualifications
• Bring deep experience in digital assessment or digital transformation at scale
• Understand digital assessment platforms and can translate assessment needs into technical requirements

Upload your most recent CV with a covering letter explaining your motivation and suitability for the role. 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.

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.