Senior Manager Policy

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 teams focus on developing subject specific regulatory expectations on assessment approaches.

In this role you will have the opportunity to shape high impact regulatory policy as Ofqual takes forward its work on qualification reform. You will develop robust regulatory policy grounded in evidence.

You will work with colleagues to produce accurate policy papers and will manage those through governance processes. The role will involve engaging with senior stakeholders, including the Department for Education and representative organisations.

You will also engage with regulated Awarding Organisations to inform policy development. You will contribute to the consultation process from development of proposals, through to the analysis of feedback and confirmation of final decisions.

The ability to communicate complex information clearly and effectively, and strong analytical skills are essential. As the policy team works on a range of different projects, you will need to demonstrate the ability to manage competing priorities, whilst working at pace and leading others effectively.

A level 6 qualifications 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 able to systematically analyse information and cut through complexity to bring clear, relevant and intelligible recommendations.

During the interview process, this vacancy will include a task. You will be assessed on the ability to analyse information and communicate findings and recommendations clearly.

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

Please submit your application by 18 October 2026 at 23:55pm.

Interview date 9 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 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.

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.