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 the 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 align with our approach to diversity and inclusion and other key cross-cutting themes in our specifications.
• Ensure the accuracy, clarity, and coherence of specification sections, with appropriate structure and coverage across subject content.
• Ensure the specification meets the requirements detailed in the subject-specific Development Brief and the balanced scorecard.
• Maintain version control and documentation across all developed materials.

Accreditation

• Ensures all materials are ready to support their timely submission to Ofqual for accreditation.
• Works with the Quality & Accreditation Lead to review feedback reports from Ofqual, ensuring that all required amendments are allocated to a member of the team and actioning those directly related to the specification.
• Defines the resubmission timeline through negotiation with internal and external teams where needed.
• Ensures all materials are ready to support timely resubmissions to Ofqual.

Assessment strategy support

• Responsibility for ensuring alignment and consistency between the specification, SAMs, and assessment strategy during development and the accreditation process.
• Contribute to the development of assessment strategies, ensuring alignment between qualification content and assessment models.
• Collaborate with, and matrix manage the work of, Assessment Design & Principles Leads, to ensure consistency and validity across specification content, assessment decisions, and specimen materials.
• Record decisions and rationales in sufficient detail to support the development of Part 2 of the assessment strategy and assessment materials.

Quality, regulatory alignment, and risk management

• Maintain the subject-specific RAID (Risks, Assumptions, Issues, Dependencies) log, ensuring risks and issues are captured, monitored, and escalated as appropriate.
• Maintain appropriate decision logs and complete all required reporting to maintain a clear audit trail.
• Apply regulatory requirements to all aspects of qualification development.
• Actively respond to and implement feedback from regulatory, quality, and internal review processes.

Cross-functional collaboration

• Manage the work of Assessment Design & Principles Leads to ensure continuous alignment between content and assessment.
• Manage the work of Associates to develop high-quality content that is appropriate to the subject.
• Work closely with Quality & Accreditation Leads to ensure compliance and agreed best practice is embedded throughout the development process.
• Work closely with Product Manager/Subject Sector Leads to support concept development, market testing, product positioning, and to ensure subject relevance, market-appropriate content, and the customer viewpoint.

Lead and/or participate in cross-functional meetings