Assessment Design Lead

AQA Education; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading education assessment organization is looking for an Assessment Design Lead who will play a crucial role in innovating assessment products. This role involves a hybrid working model, collaborating with various teams, and ensuring assessment products are reliable and fair. Candidates should possess extensive experience in assessment design, strong communication skills, and a passion for education innovation. Enjoy a collaborative atmosphere, flexible hours, and significant impact on assessment strategies.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Generous pension scheme with employer contributions

Private medical insurance

Opportunities for professional development

Qualifications

• Experience in assessment design and development including specifications and models.
• Demonstrable understanding of validity, reliability and regulatory frameworks.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Project management experience in complex environments.
• A passion for innovation and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Design assessment specifications and models to meet standards.
• Embed validity, reliability and fairness principles into assessment products.
• Work closely with Product Managers to integrate assessment design.
• Collaborate with teams and experts for compliance and quality.
• Drive innovation by applying research to design.

Skills

Assessment design and development

Understanding of validity and reliability

Communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Innovation

Job description

Job Title

Assessment Design Lead

Contract Type

Permanent

Location

Manchester, Milton Keynes or London

Salary

North South

Working Arrangements

Hybrid: typically two days in an AQA office each week, which can include your base office or other AQA sites to collaborate with colleagues and drive innovation.

Shape the Future of Assessment

AQA Assessment Services Ltd is creating a dedicated team to develop innovative assessment products that go beyond the traditional 1418 space. These roles are at the heart of our ambition to transform how learners interact with learning and assessment both in the UK and internationally.

Why Join Us

Collaboration at the core: You will work face‑to‑face with a newly formed department shaping its culture and influencing its direction. While we encourage two days a week in an AQA office, this can be at your base location or another AQA site to work with colleagues and lead innovation.

Purpose of the Role

Ensure our new products are underpinned by rigorous assessment design principles. Lead the development of assessment specifications and models that guarantee validity, reliability and fairness. Your work will influence how learners are assessed globally and help AQA deliver innovative solutions that meet diverse market needs.

Responsibilities

What you’ll be doing:

• Designing assessment specifications and models that meet regulatory and pedagogical standards.
• Embedding principles of validity, reliability and fairness into all assessment products.
• Working closely with Product Managers to integrate assessment design into product roadmaps.
• Collaborating with learning designers, policy teams and external experts to ensure compliance, coherence and quality.
• Driving innovation by applying research and assessment insights to improve design.

Activities:

• Customer Focus: Engage with internal and external stakeholders on new assessment design issues to support new assessment product design.
• Represent ASL to meet wider business needs, support delivery and input assessment expertise to strategic projects.
• Champion how new assessment products should reflect customer needs while focusing on high quality (validity, reliability, practicality and impact).
• Financial Management: Calculate and review authoring fees for assessments.
• Contribute to pricing models for new assessment products.
• Lead assessment design activities for a range of new assessment products to ensure quality, budget control and timely delivery.
• Keep up to date with best practice and policy on assessment design and apply this to practice.
• Analyse assessment performance data and, together with key stakeholders, create a shared understanding of strengths and weaknesses of our assessments and recommend / implement improvements.
• Recruit and manage associates by working with other teams within both AQA and ASL.
• Communicate clear expectations to associates when commissioning / planning assessments.
• Create and maintain accurate records related to assessments to ensure strategy and approach is clear and conformed.
• Quality‑assure assessments in production focusing on validity, reliability, practicality and impact.
• Contribute to standard‑setting and maintenance processes to ensure valid, reliable and comparable outcomes.
• Manage the creation of reports on the assessments.

You’ll thrive in this role if you have:

• Experience in assessment design and development including specifications and models.
• Demonstrable understanding of validity, reliability and regulatory frameworks.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Project management experience in complex environments.
• A passion for innovation and continuous improvement.

Whats in It For You

• Exposure to high‑impact projects shaping the future of assessment and education.
• A collaborative, inclusive team culture that values your ideas and wellbeing.
• Flexible working (35‑hour week) and 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays and Christmas closure).
• A generous pension scheme with up to 11.5% employer contributions.
• Private medical insurance, health cash plan, EV leasing, volunteering days and modern offices with gym.
• Opportunities to influence assessment strategy across diverse markets and education models.
• Access to learning and development including leadership and strategic thinking.

Diversity and Inclusion

At AQA we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. Our ED&I strategy ensures 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 Process

To apply: submit your CV and cover letter by Sunday, 7th December 2025 at 23:59.

First stage: Virtual interviews will take place between 10th and 17th December 2025.

Second and final stage: Face‑to‑face interviews week commencing 5th January 2026, involving a structured interview and a task.

Reference code: #CRE23