At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development and delivery of qualifications and assessments in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join Ascentis, a leading educational charity transforming lives through education.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, flexible working, and tailored development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values collaboration and continuous learning.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on education while growing your career in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Experience in education or regulated environments; adaptability and problem-solving skills are key.
The predicted salary is between 41666 - 41666 £ per year.
Starting Salary: £41,666 per annum
Job Type: Permanent
Working pattern: 35 hours per week. Monday-Thursday in our Head Office in Lancaster, work from home on Fridays (flexible working options will be considered).
Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same? Are you passionate about qualifications, assessment, quality, and continuous improvement? If so, we'd love to hear from you. We are looking for a proactive and collaborative Senior Product Development Manager to join our Product Development team. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who combines strong operational and leadership skills with a genuine passion for supporting people, improving processes, and delivering high-quality qualifications and assessments.
Whilst experience of qualifications, assessment, awarding, education, or other regulated environments will be highly valued, we are equally interested in individuals who bring curiosity, adaptability, sound judgement, and a willingness to learn. We recognise that great candidates may come from a variety of backgrounds and encourage applications from those who can demonstrate transferable experience and the ability to navigate complex, quality-driven environments.
About the role
You’ll play a key role in leading the development, review, and delivery of qualifications and assessments, ensuring they remain relevant, compliant, and fit for purpose. You’ll help shape efficient systems and processes, drive continuous improvement, and work closely with colleagues across the organisation to deliver excellent outcomes for customers and learners. Just as importantly, you’ll provide line management, mentoring, and coaching to a team of talented, high-performing colleagues. You’ll support their development, remove barriers, encourage innovation, and help create an environment where people can do their best work.
We’re looking for someone who:
- Has experience within qualifications, assessment, education, awarding, compliance, quality assurance, or another regulated environment.
- Is adaptable, resilient, and comfortable managing competing priorities and projects.
- Enjoys solving problems and finding practical ways to improve systems and processes.
- Can confidently lead, mentor, coach, and support others.
- Builds positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Takes ownership, shows initiative, and brings a proactive mindset.
- Is committed to quality, continuous improvement, and delivering excellent outcomes.
- Is keen to learn, develop, and embrace new approaches and technologies.
What you’ll find here
You’ll be joining a friendly, supportive, and knowledgeable team that values collaboration, openness, and continuous learning. We believe in empowering our people, sharing expertise, and giving colleagues the support they need to succeed. This is a role that offers variety, challenge, and the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the future development of qualifications and assessment.
Closing date: 14 September 2026 12pm. Interviews will be held on a rolling basis as applications are reviewed, and the vacancy may close once a suitable candidate has been appointed. Early applications are therefore encouraged.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Samantha Whiteley (samantha.whiteley@ascentis.co.uk) or Jack Wilcock (jack.wilcock@ascentis.co.uk). We would be delighted to answer any questions and help you decide whether this could be the right opportunity for you.
About us
We are proud to be one of the UK's leading educational charity groups, encompassing an awarding organisation, and a provider of dyslexia intervention software. Our enthusiastic people bring genuine passion and natural energy to everything that they do and through their infectious energy they transform the lives of thousands of people each year through the power of education. It has never been a more exciting time to join Ascentis as we continue our journey of growth across the UK and overseas. We are market leading in the education sector and the specialist areas we operate within, maintaining the #1 provision for ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) in the UK as well as being a leading Access Validating Agency.
We are based in Lancaster but we have a national reach, with a significant customer base in London. We have recently secured two major achievements, winning the Innovation of the Year and Awarding Organisation of the Year at the 2024 Federation of Awarding Bodies awards. In addition to working with Colleges, Training Providers and Local Education Authorities, Ascentis also operates within the Primary and Secondary school sector in the UK and International schools, using our specialist IDL software that provides multi-sensory programmes in literacy, numeracy and phonics. Today the software is used by thousands of children across the world.
Ascentis is made up of brilliant people, unique in terms of background, personality, characteristics, experience and skill. We value our people for the differences they bring to the table and believe this diversity is powerful. We are an equal opportunities employer, and we are determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable.
Benefits
- 25 days annual leave plus 8 public holidays, birthday day off, closure days gifted during the Christmas period, increased annual leave with long service and an Annual Leave Purchase Scheme (up to a maximum of 43 days).
- Competitive pension benefits, including a salary sacrifice scheme.
- Access to Informal Flexibility, allowing you to flex your working times and location where viable.
- Incremental service benefits as a family-friendly employer, including enhanced Maternity, Neonatal, Paternity, Shared Parental, Adoption Leave and Pay, Sick Pay, Life Insurance, and Paid Compassionate Leave.
- Access to state-of-the-art office and break facilities, such as bean-to-cup coffee machine, vending machine, pool table, Xbox, outdoor seating, dressing room (with access to hair dryers, straighteners, airers, shower facilities), Harry Potter reading room, employee library and more.
- Free parking, locked bike storage shed.
- Access to car electric charging points (charges payable by employee).
- Tailored learning and development opportunities.
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Home and Tech Scheme.
- Discounted gym membership at 3-1-5 Health Club.
- 24-hour employee helpline and a proactive focus on wellbeing.
- Aviva DigiCare+ health app with access to virtual GP appointments, annual health check and more.
- Reward and recognition scheme, regular team building and communication activities.
Department: Product Development
Locations: Ascentis
Remote status: Hybrid
Yearly salary: £41,666
Employment type: Full-time
Senior Product Development Manager (Qualifications & Assessments) in Lancaster employer: Ascentis
Ascentis is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and supportive work culture that prioritises collaboration, continuous learning, and employee empowerment. With a commitment to quality and innovation in the education sector, employees benefit from tailored development opportunities, generous leave policies, and a range of wellbeing initiatives, all while working in a modern office environment in Lancaster. Join us to make a meaningful impact on the lives of learners and enjoy the flexibility of hybrid working arrangements.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Product Development Manager (Qualifications & Assessments) in Lancaster
✨Join Product Management Meetups
Get involved in local product management meetups or workshops. These events are perfect for meeting industry folks, sharing ideas, and staying updated on trends. Plus, you never know who might be hiring—it's a fantastic way to make connections that could lead to a job at places like Ascentis!
✨Show Off Your Product Sense
Create case studies or mini-projects showcasing your product management skills, and share them on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn. This not only puts your skills on display but also boosts your visibility in the product community. Imagine how impressed the hiring team at Ascentis would be by your initiative!
✨Utilise Online Communities
Dive into online product management communities like Product Coalition or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your insights. These platforms are goldmines for networking and finding hidden job opportunities—many companies often scout talent from within these circles.
✨Leverage Your University Network
If you’ve recently graduated or are still in uni, tap into your alumni network for connections in product management. Many universities have their own job boards and affinity resources to help graduates land roles. Don't forget to keep an eye out for job openings at Ascentis through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Product Development Manager (Qualifications & Assessments) in Lancaster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Senior Product Development Manager (Qualifications & Assessments), let your passion for developing products shine through in your cover letter. Share specific examples of products you've managed, how you solved user needs, and any successful outcomes you've achieved. This is your chance to showcase your understanding of the product lifecycle!
Highlight Your Cross-Functional Skills:Product management isn't just about understanding the product; it’s about collaborating with different teams! Make sure to emphasise your experience working with developers, designers, and marketers. Use your CV to showcase your ability to bridge gaps between these areas, and include relevant experiences that demonstrate your communication and leadership skills!
Include Your Metrics and Achievements:In a full-time product management application, data speaks volumes! Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you increase user retention by a certain percentage? Launch a product ahead of schedule? Include these metrics in your CV to paint a picture of your impact and effectiveness in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Make sure your CV is tailored for the Senior Product Development Manager (Qualifications & Assessments) position at Ascentis. Use keywords from the job description and ensure your relevant experiences are front and centre. Highlight any certifications or relevant training you’ve completed that will make you stand out as a strong candidate for the role. And remember, we’re excited to see your application on our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ascentis
✨Understand the Product Life Cycle
As a product management candidate, we need to get our head around the complete product life cycle. Be prepared to discuss real-world examples of how you’ve managed product development from ideation to launch. Bring specific insights on tools like JIRA or Trello that can help streamline these processes.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills
Product management is all about collaboration. We should be ready to highlight how we’ve worked across teams—think marketing, engineering, and design. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you had to mediate differing opinions and how you got everyone on board with a shared vision.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In a full-time role, we can expect to encounter case study questions during our interviews. Practise solving hypothetical product problems on the spot, such as prioritising features for a new app or improving user engagement metrics. This will show our analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
✨Know Your Metrics
Let’s face it, numbers are our best friends in product management. We should prepare to discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) and how we've used analytics to inform product decisions. Dive into examples where data has driven our strategy for improvements or justified product changes.
