Qualification Development Lead in Guildford

Purpose: This is a pivotal role in the development and accreditation of reformed qualifications. The Qualification Development Lead is responsible for leading and managing the development of high quality, regulatory compliant qualification specifications and supporting materials. They will manage the work of Associates and Assessment Design and Principles Leads, and work closely with product management colleagues, operations teams and Quality and Regulatory Leads to ensure that newly developed qualifications align with the internal balanced scorecard, gain regulatory accreditation and are aligned with market needs.

They will be accountable for the core qualification deliverables (Specification, Specimen Assessment Materials and Assessment Strategy), ensuring that these materials remain aligned throughout the development lifecycle. They will be responsible for developing detailed specification content aligned with Department for Education (DfE) and Ofqual requirements and AQA’s internal Development Briefs, making a significant contribution to assessment strategies and ensuring that all relevant materials are of a high standard and ready for submission to Ofqual. They will ensure the customer view is taken into account through concept and market testing, and that feedback is actioned appropriately throughout. They will support the creation of market ready specifications using appropriate technology.

Landscape: This role will report into a Senior Qualification Development Manager and will be responsible for the development of specifications, which may include those for digital exam components. They will manage Associates and matrix manage work of the Assessment Design & Principles Lead responsible for the development of high-quality specimen assessment materials (SAMs) and Part 2 of the assessment strategies. This role will own the qualifications under development; they will be responsible for ensuring that the whole qualification is high-quality, meets the regulatory requirements, is fit for purpose and is successfully accredited by Ofqual. They will also be responsible for managing Associate performance throughout the development lifecycle.

Activities:

• Qualification development: Manage the work of Associates (SMEs) to create detailed specification content that aligns with DfE subject content, policy requirements and subject specific development briefs. Champion and align with our approach to diversity and inclusion and other key cross-cutting themes in our specifications. Ensure the accuracy, clarity, and coherence of specification sections, with appropriate structure and coverage across subject content. Ensure the specification meets the requirements detailed in the subject specific Development Brief and the balanced scorecard. Maintain version control and documentation across all developed materials.
• Accreditation: Ensures all materials are ready to support their timely submission to Ofqual for accreditation. Works with the Quality & Accreditation Lead to review feedback reports from Ofqual, ensuring that all required amendments are allocated to a member of the team and actioning those directly related to the specification. Defines the resubmission timeline through negotiation with internal and external teams where needed. Ensures all materials are ready to support timely resubmissions to Ofqual.
• Assessment strategy support: Responsibility for ensuring alignment and consistency between the specification, SAMs and assessment strategy during development and the accreditation process. Contribute to the development of assessment strategies, ensuring alignment between qualification content and assessment models. Collaborate with, and matrix manage the work of, Assessment Design & Principles Leads, to ensure consistency and validity across specification content, assessment decisions, and specimen materials. Record decisions and rationales in sufficient detail to support the development of Part 2 of the assessment strategy and assessment materials.
• Quality, regulatory alignment and risk management: Maintain the subject specific RAID (Risks, Assumptions, Issues, Dependencies) log, ensuring risks and issues are captured, monitored, and escalated as appropriate. Maintain appropriate decision logs and complete all required reporting to maintain a clear audit trail. Apply regulatory requirements to all aspects of qualification development. Actively respond to and implement feedback from regulatory, quality, and internal review processes.
• Cross functional collaboration: Manage the work of: Assessment Design & Principles Leads to ensure continuous alignment between content and assessment. Associates to develop high quality content that is appropriate to the subject. Work closely with: Quality & Accreditation Leads to ensure compliance and agreed best practice is embedded throughout the development process. Product Manager/Subject Sector Leads to support concept development, market testing, product positioning and to ensure subject relevance, market appropriate content and the customer viewpoint. Lead and/or participate in cross functional meetings, review sessions, and workshops to ensure coherence across the qualification.
• Technology and document production: Use internal publishing and development tools to create market ready versions of specifications and related materials. Ensure that final documents meet organisational standards for accessibility, formatting, and presentation.
• Market and concept testing: Contribute to concept and market testing activities to validate qualification design and gather stakeholder feedback. Use insights from testing to refine specification content and support wider product improvements. Work with customers during concept and market testing activity and throughout development and launch of the newly developed qualifications.
• Resource and support offer development: Make recommendations to the Product Manager for amendments or enhancements to the customer resource and support offer, based on insights gained during development and testing.

To be successful in this role, you will need to demonstrate:

• Essential criteria: Experience in developing materials in line with a development or design brief. Understanding of DfE subject content and regulatory frameworks and the Ofqual accreditation process. Excellent written communication skills and attention to detail. Ability to work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders including external associates. Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage documents, decisions, and version control. Experience working with SMEs or associates in content creation. Ability to work at pace in an agile manner, delivering to tight deadlines in a sometimes uncertain environment. Ability to assess and categorise risk and form clear mitigation plans.
• Desired criteria: Experience in qualification or assessment development within an awarding organisation or similar environment or a demonstrable ability to learn quickly in a time-sensitive context. Awareness of assessment principles and evidence-based assessment design. Experience using document production or publishing tools. Understanding of centre needs, learner experience, or education market.