SIAS is excited to offer a unique opportunity for a Quality Manager to lead the quality assurance function across all areas of the business, including End Point Assessments (EPA), Awarding, and Accreditation. This role is pivotal in ensuring that all processes meet and exceed regulatory standards, including compliance with Ofqual, CCEA, and other key regulatory bodies.
You will manage the continuous review and improvement of our quality assurance processes, driving ongoing enhancements to maintain the highest standards and support our commitment to delivering exceptional value to our customers. As an integral member of the management team, you will collaborate closely with the Leadership team and other departments across SIAS to ensure quality is at the heart of everything we do.
This position offers the chance to make a significant impact within a dynamic, forward-thinking team, helping to uphold our strong reputation for excellence and regulatory compliance.
This position is for a fixed term of 12 months to cover maternity.
Remuneration Package
Salary between £45,000 - £48,000 per annum dependent on experience
Fixed Term Contract 12 months
Pension employer contribution 6%
Life Assurance
28 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays (FTE)
Birthday off work
Opportunity to buy-back 5 extra days annual leave (FTE)
Optional Private Health Care package
Hybrid working with the requirement to be in the Warrington office a minimum of 2 days per month
Employee Assistance Programme
Bonus Scheme
Aspire Values Award Scheme
Annual Values Awards
Long Service Awards
Annual Company Events
Gym Discount
Access to Training & Development Opportunities
Key Accountabilities
Ensure ongoing compliance with Ofqual Conditions of Recognition & CCEA Regulations for the delivery and awarding of regulated end point assessments and qualifications by maintaining and continuously improving the systems and processes in place.
Line management responsibility for the performance and quality assurance of a team of IQAs, ensuring support and cover across the team is consistently delivered.
Manage an annual Standardisation Plan for end point assessment delivery and EQA activity.
Provide compliance guidance to support the development of new products.
Co-ordinate and manage SIASs Appeals, Reasonable Adjustments, Special Considerations & Malpractice Policies & Processes. Regularly review policies procedures and forms ensuring they remain fit for purpose and to work collaboratively with the wider Cogent group on group policies.
Investigate and deal with any escalated incidents of malpractice.
Plan and co-ordinate quality assurance events and workshops by analysing trends and statistical information in liaison with internal and external stakeholders.
Liaise with the Managing Director on quality assurance and compliance matters as necessary and ensure efficient reporting and escalation of issues as required.
Sign-off of EQA reports following on from Centre Engagements
Carry out background checks on prospective Centres and make the final decision on whether or not to approve a Centre.
Ensuring that the criteria against which candidates and Centres quality assurance processes are measured are applied accurately and consistently.
Monitor Centre websites on a regular basis to ensure there is no misrepresentation of recognition status, qualifications and/or SIAS branding etc.
Review the risk ratings applied to SIAS centres and report on this during the monthly Quality meeting.
Coordinate the recruitment, induction and annual CPD of EQAs, IQAs and IEPAs in collaboration with the Operations and Centre Manager.
Prepare and provide internal reports, including data as required on quality initiatives.
Work effectively and efficiently with team members, other departments and associated contractors to ensure we deliver a great customer experience and meet the requirements of Cogents values and SIAS ethos.
Keep up to date with external policies and initiatives relevant to quality assurance in areas of responsibility.
Meet Service Level Agreements with all stakeholders.
Manage the Lead IQA workload ensuring positive inter-team relationships and fostering a collaborative and can-do approach.
Manage the Quality Coordinator, supporting and coaching on quality related matters and helping to develop strong relationships with key stakeholders.
To manage the SIAS risk register & CoI Log and take appropriate measures to keep those updated.
To develop and manage the sampling planning of all EPAs to support IQAs in monitoring performance in line with rag rating and IQA policy.
To manage the quality of assessment designs.
To escalate any concerns with system data to the relevant Head of Department and collaboratively work through a solution.
To be responsible for promoting Safeguarding and Prevent and the welfare of all learners in accordance with the Cogent Group Safeguarding policy.
Notifying regulators and other awarding organisations, as appropriate, for any instances of Centre resignations or withdrawals.
Key Performance Indicators
Report and update on EPA and AO related quality activity at the Quality and Governance Board meetings
Effective implementation of quality assurance processes across EPA and AO e.g. Standardisation schedule, Observations, Sampling, risk rating of Centres, Assessors, IQAs
Issuing and Monitoring of Centre Sanctions, ensuring any related actions are completed to deadline
Regular reviews of policies and procedures to ensure they are fit for purpose
Ensure ongoing compliance with any relevant regulatory bodies across both our EPA and AO functions.
Skills, Knowledge and Experience
Experience within a Quality or Compliance team in an Ofqual regulated awarding body/end point assessment organisation.
Experience of assessment and/or quality assurance of regulated qualifications and/or end point assessment.
An IQA qualification.
Demonstrable knowledge of Ofquals Conditions of Recognition.
An understanding of the training environment.
Experience within the design and continuous improvement of quality assurance processes and systems for an end point assessment organisation and/or awarding body.
Good interpersonal skills with the ability to manage and support individuals whilst meeting internal performance measures.
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