Head of Quality and Accreditation
Head of Quality and Accreditation
- locations
- Guildford
- London
- Manchester
- Milton Keynes
- time type
- Full time
- posted on
- Posted Today
- job requisition id
- R8029
At AQA, we’re committed to advancing education and we’re committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and it’s our people who make this happen.
Head of Qualification Quality & Accreditation
Permanent
Manchester: £72,000 – £80,000 Guildford, London, Milton Keynes: £75,000 – £83,000 Hybrid working: 2 days per week in the office
Lead the work that ensures GCSEs and A-levels are approved first time.
Take your expertise into a role with greater influence over how qualifications are developed and delivered
About the role
At AQA, we’re shaping the next generation of GCSEs and A-levels.
This is a rare opportunity to shape the quality, consistency and successful accreditation of nationally significant qualifications at a time of major reform and high-volume development.
You will move beyond oversight into direct delivery, leading the frameworks, standards and cross-team ways of working that help subject teams produce high-quality specifications, specimen materials and assessment strategies that are right first time.
You’ll play a pivotal role in reducing rework, improving alignment with regulatory requirements and enabling pace without compromising quality. This is a role for someone who enjoys solving complex problems, influencing across teams and turning clear quality principles into practical delivery.
You’ll also see the direct impact of your work on qualification design, accreditation outcomes and the experience of schools and students.
What you’ll be doing
You will lead the quality assurance and accreditation support function across qualification development. This will include:
- Leading the review and quality assurance of specifications, assessment strategies and Specimen Assessment Materials (SAMs), including detailed evaluation of complex materials to identify risks, inconsistencies and gaps, and provide clear, actionable feedback
- Ensuring complete alignment across all materials before submission
- Driving a “right first time” approach to accreditation, reducing the need for rework and resubmission
- Designing, implementing and continuously refining quality assurance approaches that are robust, proportionate and scalable to support qualification development at scale
- Working closely with qualification development, assessment design, product and compliance teams to ensure a joined-up approach
- Engaging with Ofqual and supporting accreditation activity where required
- Leading and developing a small specialist team, while influencing more widely across the organisation
You’ll thrive in this role if you have:
- Demonstrable experience working within regulatory frameworks, ideally in a qualification development or accreditation environment
- Subject matter expertise in qualification design, quality and accreditation, demonstrated through experience of developing or assuring qualification materials
- Proven experience designing and implementing quality assurance approaches, rather than operating within established processes
- Track record of working with specifications, assessment strategies and specimen materials within a regulated environment
- Demonstrable attention to detail, with evidence of identifying and resolving misalignment across complex documentation
- Ability to review materials critically and provide feedback that is clear, practical and actionable
- Sound judgement in applying quality standards consistently, with the ability to take a proportionate approach where appropriate
What’s in it for you
This is a high-impact role at a pivotal moment for AQA, shaping how national qualifications are developed and approved. You’ll have the opportunity to influence at scale, working across teams and with external regulators to improve quality, consistency and delivery.
You’ll benefit from:
Impact and influence
- A genuinely high-impact role shaping how GCSEs and A-levels are developed and accredited
- The opportunity to establish and evolve a new quality and accreditation function
- Exposure to senior stakeholders across AQA and external regulatory bodies
- The chance to influence how qualification development is delivered at pace, without compromising quality
Working environment
- A collaborative environment where your expertise and judgement directly shape how we work
- Hybrid working, with around two days per week in the office
- A 35-hour working week, supporting a sustainable and balanced approach to work
Reward and benefits
- 25 days’ annual leave, rising to 30 with service, plus bank holidays and a Christmas closure
- AQA pension contribution of 6% to 11.5%, depending on your level of personal contribution
- Private medical insurance, life assurance and a health cash plan
Development and inclusion
- Ongoing development opportunities, with access to learning and progression
- The opportunity to be part of inclusive employee networks, including LGBTQ+, Empowering Women, Interfaith, Parents and Carers, Neurodiversity and Ethnic Diversity
Our application process
Closing date: Wednesday 24th June 2026
- Early July Stage 1:75-minute Teams interview focused on technical experience
- Mid July Stage 2:90-minute face-to-face interview, including a task designed to assess attention to detail and your approach to quality assurance
We aim to keep the process clear, focused and respectful of your time.
Diversity and inclusion statement
At AQA, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives and drives better outcomes. Our ED and 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. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.
#STEC
Lead the work that ensures AQA’s qualifications are accredited first time, bringing clarity, consistency and quality to how GCSEs and A-levels are developed for the future.
An Enhanced DBS check is required for this role. AQA will arrange and cover the cost.
If you are currently an Associate of AQAs you would need to relinquish this post.
#STEC
Recruitment Agencies
We have a preferred supplier list (PSL) in place.
Unsolicited CVs will be treated as a gift. We will not be subject to or liable under your terms and conditions for agency fees.
Full Job Description
Summary
The Head of Quality & Accreditation Support is responsible for leading the quality assurance and accreditation support function across all GQ development activity, including digital assessment. This role will ensure that all newly developed and revised qualifications meet regulatory, organisational, and quality standards, while embedding best practice across subject areas. The postholder will oversee the review and continuous improvement of the core qualification deliverables (specifications, assessment strategies, and Specimen Assessment Materials (SAMs. They will also be responsible for strengthening cross-subject alignment, consistency, and innovation in qualification design.Landscape:
This is a leadership role reporting to the Director of Qualification Development & Accreditation. The postholder will be responsible for quality assurance across the suite of new general qualifications and continuous improvement of the principles, processes and practices used for qualification development. They will play a key role in the quality assurance of the specification, SAMs and assessment strategies before submission (particularly compliance with regulatory conditions and guidance). They will play a key role in ensuring cross-subject alignment in qualification design and assure the implementation of AQA’s design principles across the full suite of newly developed qualifications. They will be responsible for reviewing regulatory feedback and making recommendations for improvements to materials at both a subject and organisational level and for capturing and ensuring the implementation of continuous improvements that arise from learnings that emerge through the accreditation process.
The postholder will engage with Ofqual as needed in order to support the accreditation process and may be required to represent AQA at cross-Awarding Organisation meetings.
This role will manage a team of Quality & Accreditation Leads who will, in turn, work closely with Qualification Developers and Assessment Design & Principles Leads. This role will be responsible for providing clear direction to their team and others across the business as required.
This role will work closely with the Head of Qualification Development (responsible for delivery of the specifications) and Head of Assessment Design & Principles (responsible for delivery of SAMs and Part 2 assessment strategies) to ensure closely-aligned, ‘one-team’ working.
The role will work with other senior members of the General Qualifications Directorate (particularly the Head of Reform Delivery) and with other leaders across the business, particularly the Responsible Officer and Head of Compliance.
The role will engage with Ofqual and may be required to represent AQA externally in high-stakes contexts, including deputising for the Director of Qualification Development & Accreditation as needed.
Activities
Quality Assurance & Compliance
Lead the quality assurance of all qualification development outputs, including development briefs, specifications, assessment strategies, and SAMs – including alignment between them – to ensure submissions are ‘right first time’.
Ensure that all materials meet regulatory requirements (e.g., Ofqual and other relevant bodies) and other business needs as required.
Work closely with the Responsible Officer and the Risk, Regulation and Compliance team to maintain an up‑to‑date understanding of regulatory frameworks, applying this knowledge to drive compliance and excellence across qualification development.
Work with the Head of Compliance to develop a shared compliance framework to support the qualification development process and ensure a smooth transition to BAU delivery.
Provide expert guidance to development teams on regulatory alignment, quality standards and best practice.
Review & Continuous Improvement
Conduct detailed reviews of draft and final qualification materials, identifying risks, inconsistencies, or gaps, and making clear recommendations for improvement.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance the qualification development process, ensuring greater efficiency, consistency, and quality.
Capturing iterative continuous improvements that arise from learnings emerging through the accreditation process, and support their effective implementation in the qualification and assessment development teams and processes.
Develop and maintain quality assurance processes, tools, and templates to strengthen best practice.
Cross-Subject Alignment & Best Practice
Ensure consistency and alignment across subject areas, including structure, standards, assessment approaches, digital exams and accessibility.
Champion best practice in qualification and assessment design, and support teams to embed these principles across all development work.
Facilitate collaboration and knowledge-sharing across subject teams to drive coherent and high-quality outcomes.
Leadership & Line Management
Provide effective line management, coaching, and development for direct reports within the Quality & Accreditation Support team.
Build capability across the wider organisation by supporting training and quality workshops and other activities.
Foster a culture of quality, continuous improvement, and regulatory excellence.
Stakeholder Engagement
Work collaboratively with Product Management, Assessment Design & Principles, Qualification Development and Operations teams to ensure a shared understanding of standards and expectations.
Represent the Quality & Accreditation Support function in cross‑departmental meetings.
Liaise with external regulatory bodies, subject experts, and stakeholders where required, in particular supporting engagement with Ofqual through the accreditation process.
To be successful in this role, you will need to demonstrate:
Essential Criteria
Proven ability to provide effective operational leadership in challenging and time-sensitive contexts
Excellent understanding of the landscape of regulated general qualifications development and best practice in design of specifications, SAMs and assessment strategies
Experience of engaging with senior internal and external stakeholders, including DfE, Ofqual or equivalent
Proven ability to review complex documentation and provide clear, actionable feedback
Experience implementing and improving quality assurance processes
Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management skills
Demonstrated leadership and line-management experience
Strong attention to detail, analytical skills, and a commitment to high standards
Demonstrable ability in cross-referencing multiple documents to identify discrepancies in order to ensure alignment
Experience of cross-functional collaboration
Ability to create a positive, can-do, results-orientated culture