Senior Design Manager (m/f/d) in Manchester

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 assessment reform and OFQUAL's digital exam consultation on the horizon, you will influence the future of education and make a national impact.

• Lead, support and develop a team of Assessment Design & Principles Leads.
• Ensure assessment design principles are implemented consistently and effectively.
• Oversee assessment model design for both paper-based and digital contexts.
• Provide expert guidance and act as the escalation point for complex assessment design issues.
• Collaborate closely with internal teams, including Product, Assessment and digital teams, to shape assessment models and digital assessment solutions that are fair, valid, reliable and deliverable.
• Represent the area in governance and strategic initiatives, including regulatory responses.
• Manage risks, resources, priorities and performance across your portfolio.

The policies and principles you set ripple out through assessment models, exam papers, digital platforms, and the decisions teachers and learners make every day. You'll be influencing the direction of reform specifications and digital assessment across the organisation. You'll join conversations early, help define the roadmap, and ensure technology genuinely enhances assessment, rather than complicating it. You'll be surrounded by colleagues who care deeply about getting assessment right, from product and research partners to operations, policy and regulatory specialists.

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 with charities and causes that are important to you.

• 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.
• Are confident in accessibility and inclusive design in paper based and digital assessments.
• Can interpret data and apply evidence to guide decisions.

At AQA, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. 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. We actively promote inclusive language, avoid stereotypes, and strive for representation across all dimensions of diversity.