Assessment Development Manager in Manchester

We’re looking for an experienced and motivated people manager to lead the team responsible for developing the GMC’s high‑stakes assessments. This is a key operational management role where you’ll oversee the performance, quality, and strategic direction of the team responsible for developing high‑quality assessment content and ensuring our item banks remain robust and up to date. You’ll work closely with colleagues across the GMC, external partners, and a wide range of stakeholders to ensure our assessments remain valid, reliable, and fit for purpose. If you’re passionate about assessment quality, motivated by leading people, and excited by the opportunity to contribute to the GMC’s mission, we’d love to hear from you.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing the overall performance of the Assessment Development Team and ensuring outputs meet agreed quality standards and deadlines.
• Overseeing the development and maintenance of item banks, including item writing, pilots, editing, and standard‑setting events.
• Supervising exam and event days, supporting teams with escalations, unexpected events and ensuring the smooth running of the days.
• Making decisions on exam results, allegations of candidate misconduct, complaints, and other escalations.
• Contributing to business continuity planning, risk management, and wider assessment strategy.

About you:

We’re looking for someone who brings a blend of assessment expertise and leadership capability. You’ll have experience applying exam principles to support administering valid and reliable assessments, alongside excellent planning skills to lead a large team and manage shifting priorities. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential, enabling you to build relationships, influence stakeholders, and handle unexpected questions with confidence. You’ll be proactive in driving improvements, able to analyse data to inform decisions, committed to excellent customer service, and capable of making fair, calm decisions under pressure and in line with organisational guidance. You’ll also bring proven experience in motivating, developing, and supporting a diverse team to perform at their best.

Working hours:

This is a hybrid role between home working and office working, you’ll work 2 days minimum a week in the office. We may ask you to attend the office on additional days where necessary. We are happy to consider a range of flexible working options. Flexible working requests will be considered in line with the policy.

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to play a central role in shaping the GMC’s assessments and ensuring they continue to protect patients and uphold high standards in medical practice. You’ll join a supportive, collaborative environment where your expertise will directly influence the quality and integrity of assessments used across the UK.

GMC benefits:

• 30 days holiday with the option to buy and sell more
• A generous employer pension contribution of 15%
• Access to a range of learning and development opportunities designed to support your ongoing progression
• Hybrid and flexible working
• Attractive salary that’s reviewed annually
• Private medical insurance
• Bike lockers and shower facilities

How to apply:

If you are interested in applying for this role, please provide a CV and a supporting statement, which demonstrates your reason for applying and a summary of how you can meet the essential skills listed in the job description, provide examples where possible. Please note, applications submitted without the above information will be considered incomplete and not shortlisted. Details on how to complete the application can be found in the attached guidance document.

We let you know whether you will progress to the next stage of the recruitment process.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

The GMC values diversity and has made a public commitment to processes and procedures that are fair, objective, transparent and free from discrimination. We are committed to the Disability Confident Employer scheme, and candidates with a disability who best meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification will be offered an interview.