Training Qualifications UK - Head of Standards and Verification

Training Qualifications UK - Head of Standards and Verification Permanent Full-time Location: Remote/Agile, UK Reports to: Chief Regulatory Officer Salary: Dependent on experience Line management responsibilities: Yes Closing date: 18/09/2025 Application Instructions: Please apply directly to Training Qualifications UK - Applications submitted to AQA will be referred back to the sender For any queries relating to this role, please contact the Training Qualifications UK directly on the following email address: . Overview About TQUK Training Qualifications UK is the fastest-growing Awarding Organisation in the UK, and a market-leading End-Point Assessment Organisation. We work with over 500 schools, colleges, universities, and training providers across the world to provide qualification certificates, endorsements, and apprenticeships to over 150,000 learners. About the role The Standards and Verification Pillar is at the heart of our awarding and quality assurance. It ensures that every certificate we issue reflects genuine achievement, and that employers, educators, and learners can trust in the quality of our awards.We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to head up both our External Quality Assurance (EQA) and Awarding functions. The Head of Standards will be accountable for the delivery of awarding and quality assurance processes across all TQUK qualifications, ensuring that standards are set, maintained, and continuously improved. This role is central to safeguarding the integrity of our qualifications and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Key Responsibilities Lead and manage the Awarding, External Quality Assurance, and Centre Compliance teams. Own and deliver TQUK's awarding and quality assurance strategies, ensuring they are fully embedded across processes and compliant with Ofqual and CCEA Regulation. Set and maintain robust standards for assessments, supported by clear evidence. Oversee the investigation and resolution of malpractice and maladministration cases, ensuring appropriate escalation and regulatory compliance. Monitor and analyse assessment performance data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement. Collaborate with Product Development, Compliance, and other senior leaders to ensure qualifications are delivered and awarded efficiently, effectively, and compliantly. Manage budgets and resources to deliver projects on time, within scope, and to a high standard. Foster a culture of continuous improvement, efficiency, and psychological safety within and across teams. Develop and implement systems, processes, and structures for efficient service delivery and optimal resource use. Ensure customer requirements are embedded in awarding and quality assurance processes. Act as a senior representative of TQUK, engaging confidently with regulators, stakeholders, and sector bodies. Keep up to date with sector and regulatory developments in assessment, awarding, and quality assurance, in the UK and internationally. Identify and manage potential conflicts of interest, escalating as necessary. Contribute to sector engagement through articles, events, and forums. Essential Skills and Experience Proven leadership experience, ideally in an awarding organisation or regulatory environment. Strong understanding of assessment principles, awarding processes, and Ofqual/CCEA regulatory requirements. Analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and make evidence-based decisions. Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders. Experience leading teams through change and building collaborative, improvement-focused cultures. Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities. Knowledge of the vocational education landscape and current sector reforms. Please see the full person specification . Key Benefits Training, Qualifications & Apprenticeships. It's what we do! 25 days annual leave plus 8 days Bank Holiday (33 in total) Additional annual leave day each year, after 2 years of continuous service (up to 28 days) An extra day off to celebrate your birthday Annual Loyalty Bonus Annual salary review Bupa healthcare benefits Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) NEST pension Cycle to work scheme A positive and supportive working environment Comprehensive onboarding A workplace that supports a healthy work/life balance. We are an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Should you require any additional support during the recruitment process due to a disability, please contact us so we can assist you. 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 For more information please contact: 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.AQA is an independent charity that sets and marks over half of all GCSEs and A-levels in the UK every year. Our purpose is to advance education by helping students and teachers to realise their potential. As part of AQA, you'll very quickly appreciate the determination and unwavering passion to deliver this goal in everything we do. To help drive these ambitions, AQA invests in the development of its people by offering a range of professional development and learning opportunities leading to over 50% of our permanent roles being filled internally. Reasonable Adjustments If you have any requirements for reasonable adjustments in relation to the application, interview or the prospective job, please contact Faye Harrison (she/her) at or on . We are asking for this information to make the process as equitable as possible for each candidate. Please note that Faye will not be able to assist you with enquiries regarding Temporary vacancies or non-recruitment enquiries. If you have query regarding Temporary vacancies, please contact: Smart Working We're operating a smart working model. This allows for our colleagues to work from two days a week in one of our offices across England. Equality, diversity and inclusion AQA is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone - regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background - is valued, respected, and supported to thrive. Conflict of Interest Please note that due to the confidential nature of our work, we are unable to employ people for our temporary roles who are currently a candidate for Key Stage 4 and 5 public examinations. Safeguarding AQA is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk. We're dedicated to reducing the risk of employing or contracting any person intent on abusing their position of trust, along with identifying and responding to any incident of alleged abuse from its employees or associates fairly and swiftly.For more information on safeguarding at AQA please visit the AQA website . Contact Temporary roles: Permanent and Fixed Term roles: