Assessment Design and Principles Lead
A high number of candidates may make applications for this position, so make sure to send your CV and application through as soon as possible.
Permanent
Manchester: £46,000 - £51,000
or
Guildford: £48,000 - £53,500
Hybrid Working
Craft the future of high quality 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 Assessment Design and Principles Lead at AQA, you'll be at the heart of creating fair, valid, reliable, and forward-thinking assessments. You'll guide the development of both traditional and digital assessment models, champion evidence based 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-functional projects, and the chance to represent AQA as a subject 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 assessment design principles that strengthen validity, fairness, manageability, and reliability across all GCSE and A Level qualifications. You'll collaborate closely with internal and external partners to design 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 steering evidence informed improvements 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 experiences for all learners. This will require thoughtful stakeholder management and close collaboration with internal and external experts who may have competing priorities
* Driving evidence based improvements by overseeing data analysis, identifying 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, evidence, and strong communication, and you're energised by the opportunity to challenge assumptions and introduce new ways of thinking. You have a positive and solutions 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 environments, and you'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. xxuwjjq
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 4th May 2026
We are looking for someone to start in role as soon as possible
All applications will receive a response
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