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- Tasks: Lead assurance for vocational education reforms and support decision-making in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join AQA Group, a leader in high-quality vocational education.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25-30 days annual leave, flexible working, and a great pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on vocational qualifications and apprenticeships while building your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in vocational education and strong stakeholder management skills required.
- Other info: Embrace a diverse workplace that values equity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
There are now several organisations within AQA Group, including TQUK, that are delivering and supporting high-quality vocational education, which gives us a strong foundation to develop new qualifications and apprenticeships. Your focus will be on assurance, challenge and alignment - helping AQA Group take well judged decisions as we design and deliver new vocational qualifications and apprenticeships.
You will sit at the centre of the vocational reform programme, providing hands-on programme level assurance - bringing together planning, risk, governance and quality insight to support confident senior decision making in a complex reform environment. This role is not about owning policy design in isolation, nor about running operational delivery. It sits deliberately between those worlds - bringing vocational expertise, strong stakeholder judgement and an assurance mindset to help the organisation navigate reform well.
- Providing expert assurance and constructive challenge on vocational reform activity, ensuring assessment design, quality processes and delivery plans are robust and credible in a post-16 context.
- Providing programme level assurance across vocational reform activity, with a particular focus on risk, interdependencies and delivery readiness.
- Exercising sound judgement in conditions of uncertainty, helping teams test assumptions, surface trade-offs and make proportionate, evidence based decisions.
- Tracking progress, identifying risks early and escalating issues where clarity, pace or alignment are at risk.
- Strong experience of vocational, post-16, FE or skills qualifications - including assessment, quality assurance, regulation or delivery.
- Strong stakeholder judgement - building trusted relationships while knowing when to probe, when to escalate and when to enable progress.
- Experience of programme, project or assurance environments, without being tied to a single policy or operational lens.
A role that builds visibility and influence across AQA's vocational strategy and leadership community.
25 days' annual leave, rising to 30 with service, plus bank holidays and additional closure days at Christmas.
A 35-hour working week with flexible working arrangements.
An excellent contributory pension scheme (6%-11.5% depending on your contribution).
At AQA, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion.
Locations
Assurance Manager (Permanent) in Cheshire, Warrington employer: AQA
Contact Detail:
AQA Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assurance Manager (Permanent) in Cheshire, Warrington
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the vocational education sector, especially those connected to AQA Group. Attend industry events or webinars to make connections and get your name out there.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by understanding the key challenges in vocational reform. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the assurance mindset they’re looking for. Show them you can navigate uncertainty with confidence!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply through job boards; head over to our website and submit your application directly. It shows initiative and gives you a better chance of standing out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. Mention something specific from your conversation to remind them why you’re the perfect fit for the Assurance Manager role.
We think you need these skills to ace Assurance Manager (Permanent) in Cheshire, Warrington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Assurance Manager role. Highlight your experience in vocational education and assurance, and show us how your skills align with our needs at AQA Group.
Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills: We want to see your strong stakeholder judgement in action! Share examples of how you've built trusted relationships and navigated complex environments. This will help us understand how you can contribute to our vocational reform programme.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate straightforward communication, especially when it comes to your achievements and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about AQA Group and our values.
How to prepare for a job interview at AQA
✨Know Your Vocational Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of vocational education and the specific qualifications relevant to the role. Understand the current trends and challenges in the post-16 education sector, as this will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're genuinely interested in the field.
✨Showcase Your Assurance Mindset
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've provided assurance or constructive challenge in a programme or project setting. Be ready to discuss how you’ve navigated uncertainty and made evidence-based decisions, as this aligns perfectly with what they’re looking for.
✨Build Relationships with Stakeholders
Think about how you can illustrate your ability to build trusted relationships with stakeholders. Have a few anecdotes ready that highlight your strong judgement and when you've successfully navigated complex discussions or escalated issues effectively.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that show your understanding of the role and the organisation's goals. Inquire about their current vocational reform initiatives or how they measure success in their assurance processes. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the role is the right fit for you.