Manager Design and Development

Ofqual, working closely with the Department for Education (DfE), is embarking on a major multi‑year programme of qualification reform across England’s qualifications system. This includes supporting the redevelopment of GCSEs and A levels and overseeing the introduction and accreditation of new qualifications, including V Levels, Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates.

The role contributes to securing the long‑term quality, validity, and coherence of the nation’s qualifications.

Find out more

Curriculum and Assessment Review final report: Building a world-class curriculum for all

Post-16 education and skills white paper - GOV.UK

For us to be able to deliver this important project, we have various opportunities available at Senior Manager, Manager and Officer level. Look out for other opportunities.

All will generally work within our Policy and Design and Development (D and D) teams.

These teams lead on both general and subject-specific policy and assessment considerations, including developing appropriate regulatory expectations and reviewing qualification and assessment materials against those expectations.

The Design and Development of Vocational and Technical Qualifications (VTQ D&D) team leads on subject-specific policy and assessment considerations, including developing appropriate regulatory expectations and reviewing qualification and assessment materials against those expectations.

The Manager will contribute to individual strands of work and projects in the VTQ Design and Development supporting the development of subject-specific assessment expectations and reviewing a range of materials relating to different qualifications, to provide assurance about them, before and during delivery.

The manager will organise and take part in discussions with internal and external stakeholders, such as exam boards/awarding organisations and the Department for Education. They will coordinate and manage progress against business plans and budget commitments. They will contribute to coordinating the team’s delivery and reporting arrangements, identify options and recommendations to inform decision making and deliver priority initiatives with the goal of ensuring that Ofqual’s work achieves its strategic objectives.

A level 6 qualification such as an honours degree OR experience demonstrating the capabilities associated with a qualification at that level

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 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 ability to systematically analyse large volumes of complex qualitative and quantitative information effectively.

During the interview process, this vacancy will include a presentation and/or task. You will be assessed on your ability to analyse information and make regulatory recommendations.

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

Please submit your application by 22 October 2026 at 23:55pm.

Interview dates 25 and 26 November 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 via Microsoft Teams. 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.

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.