Description
Summary
Purpose:
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