Quality Manager
Vacancy
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 SIAS's 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 Cogent's 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 IQA's 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 Ofqual's 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.
· Ability to confidently engage with internal and external customers, stakeholders and regulatory bodies.
· Ability to work under own initiative and take an independent lead on projects whilst evaluating priorities and meeting deadlines.
· A solutions focused approach to problem solving.
· The ability to work collaboratively and positively with colleagues.
· The ability to enthuse about quality whilst also remaining commercially focused and supportive of SIAS direction of travel.
· Excellent IT skills including Excel, PowerPoint & Outlook.
· A management qualification or the willingness to work towards a qualification.
· Be an effective communicator at all levels who is proactive and positive in approach.
· Be an advocate of Cogent Values and SIAS Ethos.
· Adaptable – able to adjust working style to suit the needs of different target audiences.
· Respond positively to change, contributing own ideas to achieve business aims.
Cogent is an inclusive employer and we value the diversity our workforce brings. We welcome applications from all candidates and will consider all applications equally and fairly.
Cogent is committed to Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.
To apply please click on the link:
Please complete the Candidate Information Sheet and send together with a letter of application and your CV by 8th October 2025 outlining your suitability for this post and how you would ensure success.
If you have additional needs that you would like us to consider during the application and interview process please contact Denise Bentley on to discuss ways that we can support your application.
If you haven't heard back from us within 21 days of your application, it means that unfortunately your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Websites:
Job Type: Temporary
Contract length: 12 months
Pay: £45,000.00-£48,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Additional leave
* Bereavement leave
* Casual dress
* Company events
* Company pension
* Enhanced paternity leave
* Free flu jabs
* Free parking
* Health & wellbeing programme
* Life insurance
* On-site parking
* Private medical insurance
* Sick pay
* Work from home
Application question(s):
* Do you have experience within a Quality or Compliance team in an Ofqual regulated awarding body/end point assessment organisation?
* Do you have experience of assessment and/or quality assurance of regulated qualifications and/or end point assessment?
* Do you have an IQA qualification?
* Do you have demonstrable knowledge of Ofqual's Conditions of Recognition and
• an understanding of the training environment?
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Warrington WA1 1RX