Qualification Development 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.
Qualification Development Lead – Digital Assessments
Permanent
Manchester: £53,000 - £61,000
Milton Keynes or Guildford: £55,500 - £63,500
Hybrid Working | Minimum 2 days per week in the office
Help shape the future of digital qualifications.
You are an education, assessment or qualification specialist who enjoys turning complex requirements into high-quality digital qualifications that make a difference to teachers and learners.
Reporting to a Senior Qualification Development Manager, you'll play an important role in developing and accrediting future digital qualifications, bringing together policy requirements, educational expertise and customer insight to create qualifications that support teachers and learners.
Working at the intersection of education, assessment, product development and regulation, you'll collaborate with subject experts, Associates and specialist colleagues to develop digital qualifications that meet regulatory requirements, reflect customer needs and support positive outcomes for learners.
Whether your experience comes from digital qualification development, assessment, curriculum leadership, educational publishing or another education-focused environment, we'd love to hear how your skills and experience could contribute to the future of qualification development at AQA.
Why this role matters
You'll help shape digital qualifications through a significant period of curriculum and assessment reform.
Working across the qualification development lifecycle, you'll bring together subject matter experts, Associates and specialist teams to develop digital qualifications that meet regulatory requirements and support positive outcomes for learners.
The role offers a unique blend of educational expertise, collaboration and problem-solving, giving you the opportunity to influence qualifications that will be used by teachers and learners across the UK.
What you'll be doing
Coordinate the development of digital qualification specifications and associated materials, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and agreed development briefs.
Ensure alignment between qualification development and digital exam platform functionality.
Work with Associates, subject matter experts and specialist colleagues to develop high-quality qualifications and supporting materials.
Bring together expertise from across assessment, product and qualification development teams to support successful accreditation and delivery.
Build strong relationships with stakeholders, balancing different viewpoints and helping to shape evidence-based decisions.
Monitor risks, issues and dependencies throughout the qualification development lifecycle.
Contribute to continuous improvement, helping to strengthen qualification development processes and ways of working.
You’ll thrive in this role if you have:
Experience developing digital qualifications, implementing digital qualifications or assessments across schools or colleges, or digitalisation in other complex educational contexts.
Experience building effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and subject matter experts.
Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
The ability to analyse information, balance different perspectives and support sound decision-making.
Excellent attention to detail whilst maintaining sight of the bigger picture.
Resilience and adaptability when working through feedback, change and competing priorities.
Why join us?
This is a rare opportunity to join a newly formed team and contribute to work that will directly influence future qualifications and the experience of learners and teachers across the UK.
Alongside meaningful and impactful work, you'll benefit from:
A fantastic pension with combined contributions of up to 18.5%
35-hour working week
25 days annual leave, rising with service, plus additional Christmas office closure days
Private medical insurance with BUPA
Employee networks including LGBTQ+, Disability, InterFaith, Neurodiversity, Parents and Carers, and Empowering Women
Up to five paid volunteering days each year
Our application process
Please upload your CV and a short supporting statement outlining your motivation for applying and any relevant transferable skills you would bring to the role.
As part of your application, you'll also be asked to complete two short role-related questions.
Closing date: Sunday 11th October 2026
Stage 1 – Mid October 2026
If shortlisted, you'll be invited to a Teams interview consisting of structured questions aligned to the role requirements.
Stage 2 – Late October 2026
Candidates who progress from the first interview stage will be invited to a final face-to-face interview, which will include a practical exercise designed to explore your approach to qualification development, problem-solving and quality assurance.
We aim to keep the process clear, focused and respectful of your time throughout.
If you are currently an Associate of AQA, you would need to relinquish this post.
Please note, this post is exempt from the ROA 1974 and enhanced DBS checks will be required for the successful candidate.
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.
#STEC
#AREF
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:
This is a pivotal role in the development and accreditation of reformed qualifications.
The Qualification Development Lead is responsible for leading and managing the development of high quality, regulatory compliant qualification specifications and supporting materials. They will manage the work of Associates and Assessment Design and Principles Leads, and work closely with product management colleagues, operations teams and Quality and Regulatory Leads to ensure that newly developed qualifications align with the internal balanced scorecard, gain regulatory accreditation and are aligned with market needs.
They will be accountable for the core qualification deliverables (Specification, Specimen Assessment Materials and Assessment Strategy), ensuring that these materials remain aligned throughout the development lifecycle.
They will be responsible for developing detailed specification content aligned with Department for Education (DfE) and Ofqual requirements and AQA’s internal Development Briefs, making a significant contribution to assessment strategies and ensuring that all relevant materials are of a high standard and ready for submission to Ofqual.
They will ensure the customer view is taken into account through concept and market testing, and that feedback is actioned appropriately throughout. They will support the creation of market ready specifications using appropriate technology.Landscape:
This role will report into a Senior Qualification Development Manager and will be responsible for the development of specifications, which may include those for digital exam components. They will manage Associates and matrix manage work of the Assessment Design & Principles Lead responsible for the development of high-quality specimen assessment materials (SAMs) and Part 2 of the assessment strategies.
This role will own the qualifications under development; they will be responsible for ensuring that the whole qualification is high-quality, meets the regulatory requirements, is fit for purpose and is successfully accredited by Ofqual.
They will also be responsible for managing Associate performance throughout the development lifecycle.
They will build key relationships with:
Assessment Design & Principles Leads
Associates and the Associate Experience team
Product Managers/Heads of Product/Subject Sector Leads
Quality and Regulatory Leads
Activities:
Qualification development
Manage the work of Associates (SMEs) to create detailed specification content that aligns with DfE subject content, policy requirements and subject specific development briefs.
Champion and a