Head of Assessment

ACU; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational organization in the UK is seeking a Head of Assessment to lead its education mobility scheme. The role requires strategic leadership, robust project management skills, and a deep understanding of the education sector. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in assessment quality and a proven ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure. This fixed-term position offers a salary of £35,695 pro rata with a total FTE of £59,492 per annum, alongside a fantastic benefits package including 27 days annual leave and a generous pension scheme.

Benefits

27 days annual leave

Generous pension scheme

Personal and professional development investment

Health and wellbeing programs

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience of managing multiple priorities and working under pressure.
• Significant project management experience at a senior level in an educational setting.
• Strong commitment to widening participation and the values of ACU.

Responsibilities

• Lead ACU's contribution to the successful delivery of a major education mobility scheme.
• Provide strategic leadership and robust contract management.
• Manage dependencies and mitigate risks effectively.

Skills

Project management

Financial skills

Team leadership

Education sector insight

Operational control

Education

Degree level education

Post-graduate qualifications (advantage)

Job description

Post title : Head of Assessment

Association of Commonwealth Universities – Programmes, Business Development and International Mobility

Salary : £35,695 pro rata | FTE : £59,492 per annum

Grade : 7

Job type : Fixed termpost for 7 months, commencing in January 2026

This post will commence in January 2026 for the duration of a 7 month fixed-term contract subject to grant agreement signature.

Hours : 21

Location : London WC1H

(We operate hybrid, flexible working practices with 20% of your time per month being office based)

Join the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) and use your extensive experience in assessment quality, education sector insight, inclusive safety, and operational control to lead the ACU’s contribution to the successful delivery of an education mobility scheme, working with a range of UK-based partners.

The ACU offers a unique opportunity to make a real difference in the higher education sector. We are one of the largest, most diverse international university networks, bringing together over 440 universities in over 40 countries. We support Commonwealth Universities to collaborate and to work together to build a more equitable and sustainable world.

The ACU Programmes, Business Development and International Mobility Team look after a portfolio of research capacity strengthening and education mobility programmes. These programmes are funded by a variety of internal and external funding sources and are often developed in collaboration with ACU member universities and other strategic partners.

The role

The Head of Assessment will lead the ACU’s contribution to the successful delivery of a major education mobility scheme, providing strategic leadership and robust contract management in collaboration with a wide range of UK-based partners (subject to funding being available). This pivotal role demands a results-driven professional with education sector insight and extensive experience in assessment quality, inclusive safety, and operational control. You should be capable of deploying effective tools to monitor progress, manage dependencies, and mitigate risks - ensuring full assurance to the ACU senior team and stakeholders.

Who are we looking for?

You will need :

• Degree level education (with post-graduate qualifications an advantage) or equivalent in professional experience.
• Significant project management experience at a senior level in an educational setting – professional track record and / or appropriate qualifications.
• Demonstrable experience of managing multiple priorities and work under pressure and to deadlines.
• Proven financial skills, with knowledge and experience of budget development, and financial monitoring and reporting.
• Experience of leading, empowering, and motivating teams to promote a high-performance culture.
• Understanding or interest of education sector (HE / Schools / FE / VET) in the UK.
• Strong commitment to widening participation and the values of the ACU – Collaboration, Creativity, Excellence, Equity

What to expect :

We see equity, diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our mission and we value the many different perspectives that people from all backgrounds bring to our collective performance (you can find more about our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and safeguarding on our website by clicking here). We believe in investing in all our people and creating cultures in which everyone can thrive.

We offer a fantastic package of benefits including :

• 27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays (pro rata - part time employees) and 4 Christmas closure days
• Generous pension scheme – 5% employee contribution, 10% employer contribution
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave
• Significant investment into your personal and professional development
• Regular social activities
• Health and wellbeing programmes
• Give as you earn charitable donations scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Interest‑free travel season ticket loan

To find out about our benefits, flexible working, health and wellbeing and professional development, click here.

How to apply :

Apply via our recruitment portal, submitting your CV (maximum 2 pages) and online application form (maximum 1000 words) outlining how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the criteria for the role. Please include your motivation for applying.

For further information and details of how to apply, click here.

Closing date : 4January 2026 @ 23 : 45

Interview dates TBC

Interviews will take place virtually.