Product Development Officer

SFJ Awards; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave entitlement

Flexible working arrangements

Health and wellbeing benefits

Enhanced pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Organizational development days

Job summary

SFJ Awards is seeking an experienced developer for qualifications and assessment materials in Sheffield or Bristol. This full-time role requires managing projects, ensuring compliance, and collaborating with stakeholders across public safety sectors.

The successful candidate will support the growth of high-quality qualifications that meet regulatory standards while working under direction and fostering relationships with clients and experts.

Qualifications

• Experience developing regulated qualifications or assessment products.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational skills and proactive mindset.

Responsibilities

• Manage qualification and assessment development projects.
• Collaborate with stakeholders and regulators.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Skills

Project and product management

Stakeholder engagement and communication

Quality assurance and attention to detail

Initiative and problem-solving

Job description

Location: Sheffield or Bristol office with Hybrid working available

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full Time (37.5 hours per week)

SFJ Awards

SFJ Awards is a regulated awarding organisation, delivering high quality qualifications and custom certification for learners through approved centres in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. We are also an apprenticeship assessment organisation approved by Ofqual to deliver assessment services for a growing number of standards in England. SFJ Awards is part of the Workforce Development Trust group.

Workforce Development Trust

The Workforce Development Trust is a not-for-profit organisation that provides services that support employers to develop skilled, sustainable, and efficient workforces in the UK and abroad. We operate via our four brands; Skills for Health, Skills for Justice, SFJ Awards, iCQ Awards and People 1st International, which deliver specialist, targeted skills interventions to support a variety of frontline public services.

Job summary

The purpose of this role is to develop qualifications, assessment materials and related products that meet regulatory, organisational and stakeholder requirements. We are seeking an experienced qualification and assessment developer who can quickly take ownership of a product portfolio and work autonomously within a regulated environment.

This role is ideally suited to someone with prior experience developing regulated qualifications and/or apprenticeship assessment products within an Awarding Organisation, Apprenticeship Assessment Organisation or a similar regulated setting. The successful candidate will support the development and maintenance of SFJ Awards qualifications, Apprenticeship Assessment materials, and wider assessment and accreditation products, ensuring they remain compliant with regulatory obligations and meet customer and organisational quality standards.

Working under the direction of the Product Development Manager, the post holder will collaborate with a range of customers, stakeholders and sector bodies involved in the design and development of qualifications, accreditations and assessment materials aligned to National Occupational Standards and Apprenticeship Assessment professional standards. The role will also involve liaising with, commissioning work from and reviewing the outputs of external subject matter experts and associates involved in development activities.

This role requires a highly organised and proactive individual who is comfortable operating within a fast-paced and evolving regulatory environment. The successful candidate will be confident managing multiple priorities, working independently and building effective working relationships with stakeholders, customers and subject matter experts.

What is the impact of the role on the business?

This role plays a vital part in supporting SFJ Awards’ growth, innovation and reputation as a trusted awarding organisation within the justice, health, emergency services, community safety and protective security sectors. The role contributes directly to the development and maintenance of high-quality qualifications and assessments that meet regulatory requirements, respond to sector needs and support workforce development across the UK.

Key business skills necessary for the role?

The role requires strong project management, stakeholder engagement and communication skills, alongside the ability to manage multiple priorities and work collaboratively across teams. Experience in qualification or product development, quality assurance, problem‑solving and regulatory awareness is important, as well as the ability to translate customer and sector feedback into effective products and services.

What does the daily work look like?

Daily work includes managing qualification and assessment development projects, collaborating with employers, sector specialists and regulators, reviewing and updating products and assessment materials, and working closely with internal teams including quality assurance, operations, business development and marketing. The role combines strategic product development with hands‑on coordination, stakeholder engagement and continuous improvement activity.

What is unique and original about your team at SFJ Awards?

The Product Development team at SFJ Awards develops qualifications and assessments that support professions which have a direct impact on public safety, justice and community wellbeing. We work closely with employers, sector experts, regulators and government stakeholders to create products that are practical, relevant and responsive to evolving workforce and legislative needs.

How does your team deliver a premium service for our customers?

We work collaboratively with centres, employers and stakeholders throughout the product lifecycle to ensure our qualifications are high quality, compliant and sector relevant. Our team is customer‑focused, responsive and committed to continuous improvement, ensuring customers receive consistent support and products that meet operational needs.

What are the three most important professional skills needed for this role?

• Project and product management
• Stakeholder engagement and communication
• Quality assurance and attention to detail

What are the three most important personal skills needed for this role?

• Initiative and problem‑solving

What might surprise people about this role?

The breadth and variety of projects involved. The role provides opportunities to work across multiple sectors and collaborate with a diverse range of stakeholders, from employers and technical experts to regulators and national organisations, helping shape qualifications that support real workforce challenges.

Can you share 2–3 interesting stats or facts about your team’s work? How would you describe the culture of your team?

The Product Development team at SFJ Awards manages a diverse portfolio of qualifications and Apprenticeship Assessments across justice, healthcare, emergency services, community safety and protective security sectors. The team works collaboratively with employers, regulators, government bodies and sector experts to develop products that support workforce competence and respond to emerging legislative and operational needs.

Recent projects have included the development of qualifications linked to major national initiatives and legislative change, working alongside organisations such as NaCTSO and other national stakeholders. The team also supports the ongoing review and continuous improvement of products to ensure they remain current, compliant and sector relevant.

The culture within the team is collaborative, supportive and forward‑thinking, with a strong focus on innovation, professional development and making a meaningful impact across the sectors we serve.

Key Responsibilities:

• Taking ownership of a designated SFJ Awards sector and product portfolio, ensuring products remain compliant, fit for purpose and aligned to stakeholder and organisational needs.
• Working under the direction of the Product Development Manager to develop content for SFJ Awards qualifications, accreditation and assessment

Specifically, the post holder is responsible for:

• Developing qualifications, accreditation products and assessment materials in line with SFJ Awards procedures and, where relevant, regulatory requirements.
• Developing Apprenticeship Assessment resources and assessment materials in line with SFJ Awards procedures, the relevant apprenticeship standard and where relevant, regulatory
• Following SFJ Awards procedures to manage the lifecycle of qualifications, including reviewing, withdrawing and extending.
• Developing and providing technical guidance to others in relation to the development and use of qualifications, assessments, and assurance products.
• Working with designated stakeholders to identify their qualification, accreditation, or assessment requirements, proposing solutions that meet their needs.

Closing date: Sunday 7th June 2026

• Generous annual leave entitlement up to a maximum of 28 days, plus public holidays, and a potential Christmas closure
• Flexible working - 50% working from home with a dress for your day approach.
• Staggered start and finish time
• We provide enhanced leave, bereavement, carers, maternity, paternity, and sickness leave.
• Health and wellbeing benefits, access to our mental health first aiders, a confidential employee assistance programme, free eye tests and payment for an annual flu jab
• Enhanced pension scheme, with a contribution matching up to a combined 12%, and the option to join the Salary Exchange Pension Scheme along with death in service coverage at three times annual salary.
• Flexible employee benefits, portal including a cycle to work scheme.
• Buy annual leave scheme.
• Organisational development days and departmental training budgets
• Payroll giving, this is a tax‑free way to donate to any charity, worthy cause or place of worship.

The Workforce Development Trust is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone.

If you need any reasonable adjustments at any point, please let us know. In your application, please feel free to advise on your pronouns, for example she/her, he/him, they/them etc.