Associate Director Strategic Communications and Engagement

Ofqual is the independent qualifications regulator for England. We currently regulate 200+ awarding organisations, and approx. 11,600 certified qualifications.

These include GCSEs, AS and A levels, and a broad range of vocational and technical qualifications.

For more information about the work we do please visit our website and our Careers Pages https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofqual and

https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/ofqual-hub/

About the team

Qualifications shape lives. Ofqual exists to secure public confidence in the exams and assessments that open doors for students and apprentices across England. We're looking for an experienced strategic communicator to help us deliver on that mission, and to help strengthen the awarding organisation market that sits at the heart of the qualifications system.

This is a rare role that combines two distinct but connected challenges. You'll lead the development and delivery of strategic communications campaigns that support Ofqual's most high-profile priorities, from public-facing work that builds trust in qualifications, to campaigns that address areas of non-compliance.

You'll lead a talented team of 7, including three Civil Service Grade 7s, three SEOs and an HEO, and act as deputy to the Director of Communications, stepping in to liaise with the chair, Chief Regulator and wider leadership team when needed. You'll sit within the Communications Directorate's leadership team, working across the organisation to ensure our plans are grounded in evidence and aligned to organisational priorities.

At the same time, you'll take the lead on our strategic engagement with awarding organisations, helping to strengthen the performance, capacity and resilience of that market, and ensuring awarding organisations understand and meet regulatory expectations.

We're looking for someone who can operate confidently at pace and with authority. You'll need a strong track record across the full range of communications disciplines, with particular depth in strategic communications planning and evaluation, ideally underpinned by GCS best practice.

You'll bring established credibility with senior stakeholders, sound judgement under pressure, and the ability to horizon scan, spotting emerging issues before they become problems and shaping the right response.

Just as importantly, you'll be a people leader who builds high-performing, inclusive teams; someone who welcomes challenge, communicates with clarity and confidence, and can influence and persuade a wide range of audiences, from awarding organisation leaders to Ofqual's own Board.

If you want a role where strategic communications expertise translates directly into public trust and market resilience, we'd love to hear from you.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Please note that Ofqual does not offer Visa sponsorship.

You will be assessed on the Behaviours shown above at interview stage.

Ofqual has adopted anonymised recruitment. This means that your name, date of birth and other personal details will not be seen by the sift panel. You’ll be asked to remove all personal details from your CV when you apply.

When you press the ‘apply now’ button, you will be asked to complete personal details (not seen by the shortlisting panel), your career history and qualifications.

You will then be asked to provide a personal statement evidencing how you meet the essential criteria shown on the job description attached to this advert. Once this job has closed, the job description will no longer be available. You may wish to save a copy for your records.

Please ensure you demonstrate clearly, within your personal statement, how you meet these requirements as this will form a key part of your evidence when the panel is scoring your application, against the requirements of the role.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift will be undertaken using the work history and personal statement against the lead essential criteria, which is, Experience of working across all communications disciplines with a strong background in strategic communications

During the interview process, this vacancy will include a presentation. Details will be sent to shortlisted candidates. You will be assessed on strategic communications and engagement skills.

We reserve the right to offer a second interview, if required.

Please submit your application by Sunday 6th September @ 23:55PM

Interview dates – 21st - 22nd September 2026 (subject to change).

We often have similar roles available at different grades.

If a candidate is suitable for a similar role or at a lower grade than they applied for, we may extend an offer without the need to go through a further selection process, providing the role has comparable behaviours and essential criteria.

Ofqual works flexibly, with a hybrid office/home based working model. Employees will spend a minimum of two days per week working from our office in Coventry. As Coventry will be your base location expenses for travel to the office will not be paid.

Final panel interviews will be held online in person. Further details will be provided at invite to interview stage.

One of our resourcing colleagues will be on hand to answer any queries you may have throughout the process.

As part of our positive action commitment, if you are from an ethnic minority background and would like to discuss the role in more detail ahead of submitting your application, please email recruitment@ofqual.gov.uk and we will arrange for a call to take place with one of our senior team.

Please be aware that expenses incurred by candidates during the recruitment process will not be reimbursed.

A reserve list may be held for up to 6 months. Ofqual may use this to fill future suitably similar vacancies for candidates who are considered appointable following interview.

Reasonable adjustments

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you require assistance or need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should tell us what changes or help you might need further in the recruitment process.

For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional. You should contact us at recruitment@ofqual.gov.uk to discuss your needs.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.