Assessment design & principles lead

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. Assessment Design and Principles Lead Permanent Manchester Salary : £46,000 - £51,000 Hybrid Working Craft the future of high qualit y assessment Purpose Imagine a role where your expertise shapes assessment design that hundreds of thousands of learners rely on for their future. With assessment reform and OFQUAL’s digital exam consultation on the horizon, you will influence the future of education and make a national impact. As an Assessm ent De sign and Principles Lead at AQA, you’ll be at the heart of creating fai r, valid, reli able, and forward - thinking assessments. You’ll guide the development of both traditional and digital a ssessment models, champion evidence b ased principles across the organisation, and act as an expert voice influencing reform, innovation, and best practice. This is your opportunity to be a trusted authority, one who ensures every assessment we produce truly supports learners, teachers, and the wider education system. What’s in it for you You’ll join a team that values depth of expertise, curiosity, and collaborative energy. In this role, your insight will shape national educational outcomes while giving you the space to innovate, lead, and influence meaningful change across AQA. You’ll work with people who are passionate about assessment quality and committed to developing new approaches that reflect a rapidly evolving digital landscape. You will experience the satisfaction of knowing that your thinking, your leadership, and your advocacy for fairness directly impact diverse learners across the country. You’ll also grow your own career through exposure to cross - functiona l projects, and the chance to r epresent AQA as a subje ct matter expert both internally and externally. 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. Key Responsibilities You will lead the development of a ssessment d esign p rinciples that strengthen validity, fairness, manageability, and reliability across all GCSE and A Level quali fications. You’ll collaborate closely with internal and external pa rtners to d esign high quality assessment models, while ensuring alignment with current research, policy, and regulatory expectations. In this role, you will play a vital part in shaping digital assessment design and influencing providers to deliver exceptional digital exam experiences. Your work will also involve s teering evidence informed improvement s that elevate quality. Your responsibilities will include: Leading the creation and refinement of assessment design principles that uphold the highest standards of validity, fairness, reliability, and manageability. Designing and advising on assessment models for both traditional and /or digital contexts, ensuring our qualifications reflect best practice and emerging innovations. Shaping the future of digital or traditional assessment to deliver inclusive, high quality exam e xperiences for all learners. This will require thoughtful stakeholder management and close collaboration with internal and external experts who may have competing priorities Driving evidence base d improvement s by overseeing data analysis, identifyin g trends. Leading complex, cross team projects that strengthen AQA’s assessment capability and ensure alignment with regulatory expectations. Enhancing organisational understanding of good assessment practice through training, knowledge sharing, and expert guidance. Above all, you’ll ensure that rigorous assessment principles are upheld through thoughtful governance, compliance, and expert leadership. You’ll thrive in this role if You’re someone who brings deep understanding of assessment theory and practice and a passion for elevating quality across an organisation. You enjoy influencing others through clear reasoning, evi dence, and strong co mmunic ation, and y ou’re energised by the opportunity to challenge assumptions and introduce new ways of thinking. You have a po sitive and solut ions focused mindset, feel empowered when taking ownership of work, and naturally build collaborative relationships that foster shared success. You combine analytical strength with creativity, are confident navigating both regulatory frameworks and digital assessment enviro nments, and y ou’re driven by the ambition to ensure every assessment works well for every learner. Diversity and inclusion 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&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. Application and Interview Process To apply, please upload your most recent CV with a cover letter outlining your motivation and suitability for the role. Please note, there also is a question on application regarding assessment design. Applications will close at 23:59 on Monday 06 April 2026 Interviews will be over two stages - a video interview in the week commencing 20 April. Following another shortlisting process, you may then be invited to participate in an in person interview in the Manchester office from 4 th May 2026 We are looking for someone to start in role as soon as possible All applications will receive a response PRO22 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 Purpose: Assessment Design & Principles Leads drive excellence in AQA’s assessment design and development by championing the principles of validity, reliability, fairness, and manageability. They lead initiatives that enhance assessment quality across both new and existing products, ensuring they meet rigorous standards and minimise bias, and they act as a central authority on assessment best practice, fostering organisational knowledge and capability through collaboration with internal stakeholders. They continuously improve assessment creation processes by developing evidence-based assessment design principles, grounded in research and best practice in assessment. Assessment Design & Principles Leads play a pivotal role in shaping and reviewing AQA’s assessment design principles, contributing expertise to cross-functional teams and new product development. They represent AQA as a subject matter experts in assessment internally and externally. They also engage stakeholders effectively to embed assessment expertise into broader business initiatives, ensuring AQA remains a leader in high-quality assessment.Landscape: Each year over 2000 question papers, assessment artefacts, mark schemes and modified large print papers are created, quality assured and sent to press for domestic and international qualifications by teams across Assessment. These materials are sat by 100,000s of students across three examination series and are pivotal part of their next step in education. The Assessment Design & Principles team sits within Assessment and is accountable for leading initiatives and establishing design principles to ensure validity, reliability, fairness, and manageability of AQA GQ assessments, both paper-based and digital. The team provide assessment expertise on GQ qualifications to AQA to support work on redevelopment and reform as well as any external regulatory work. They work closely with internal teams across Assessment and EDD as well as the wider business to champion assessment quality and best practice. The Assessment Design & Principles Lead role reports into the Head of Assessment Design & Principles or Senior Assessment Design & Principles Lead and works closely with Coordinators and Graduates in the team. Activities: Assessment design Work with internal and external stakeholders to design valid, fair and reliable assessment models and SAMs through both DfE-led and AQA-driven qualification reform. Lead the design of new digital products to ensure high-quality digital exams that align with AQA assessment design principles, including negotiating with digital assessment providers to ensure the best possible student assessment experience. Assessment expertise & alignment Stay current with assessment research and policy, ensuring AQA’s approach align with best practices across all products. Act as an authority on different assessment approaches and their strengths/weaknesses. Data analysis & evidence-based Improvement Analyse assessment performance data to identify trends, strengths, and areas for improvement. Oversee Assessment Coordinators and Graduate(s) to drive evidence-based decisions and share insights with stakeholders. Leadership & Project Management Lead assessment design & principles projects, managing cross-team collaboration, resources, budgets, and compliance with regulatory requirements. Mentor and coach graduates and team members to build capability. Training & knowledge sharing Deliver induction, training, and briefings on assessment principles. Support organisational understanding of good assessment practice and embed it into qualification design. Quality assurance & external engagement Review assessments for QA purposes and engage with external stakeholders (including Ofqual) to ensure valid, reliable, and comparable outcomes. Governance & compliance Ensure adherence to AQA policies, legislative requirements, and regulatory conditions. Adapt to changing business needs by taking on additional responsibilities as required. To be successful in this role, you will need to: Behaviours Collaborative – Work effectively with others, sharing expertise and fostering development to achieve excellence Innovative – Challenge existing approaches and drives creative, improved ways of working Empowered – Take ownership, accountability, and understands their role in achieving success Positive – Maintain a flexible, solutions-focused, forward-looking mindset Ambitious – Strive for high standards and consistently deliver for customers Technical expertise Strong understanding of assessment practice in England and the regulatory environment In-depth knowledge of assessment design and delivery best practice, including AQA’s products and systems Ability to design assessments across subjects, balancing regulatory, customer, and stakeholder needs In-depth understanding of digital assessment design, including knowledge of inclusive design in digital exams, technical functionality of digital providers, and expertise in designing directly for digital contexts Skilled in analysing complex data, conducting root cause analysis, and applying continuous improvement principles Leadership & influence Proven experience in leading change initiatives and managing assessment design & principles projects Excellent communication, presentation, and networking skills to influence and engage stakeholders Open-minded yet confident in constructively challenging orthodoxy and championing good assessment principles Qualifications & experience Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience Experience in managing assessment creation (eg question paper setting) and delivering strategic improvements