At 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.

QMS Manager

Permanent

Manchester

Salary:£55,700 - £63,100

Working Arrangements; Hybrid – 2 days per week in the office.

Introduction

This is a senior quality role with real organisational influence. As QMS Manager, you’ll own and shape AQA’s ISO 9001 compliant Quality Management System, helping to protect confidence, consistency and quality across work that matters to learners, schools and colleges.

Purpose of the Role

You’ll lead the design, maintenance and continual improvement of AQA’s QMS, making sure quality processes, controls, documentation and governance are clear, effective and audit ready. Acting as the organisational expert for ISO 9001, you’ll maintain external certification, lead the transition to ISO 9001:2026 and give senior leaders clear assurance that quality and document control arrangements are robust and proportionate.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you'll be responsible for:

• Owning and improving AQA’s ISO 9001 compliant QMS, including certification, external audit preparation, findings, corrective actions and senior reporting.

• Leading the ISO 9001:2026 transition programme, including impact assessment, planning and influencing senior leaders, process owners and cross-functional teams to deliver required changes.

• Providing expert leadership on corporate document management, controlled documents, quality performance indicators and QMS assurance while line managing, coaching and prioritising work for the QMS Coordinator.

• Leading and developing the QMS Coordinator, providing day-to-day direction, coaching and support to ensure delivery of team objectives and continued professional growth.

What We Are Looking For

This role will suit an experienced quality leader who can combine technical expertise with clear communication, strong judgement and the confidence to influence across a complex organisation.

• Expert knowledge of ISO 9001 and quality management systems, with significant experience managing certification and external audits.

• Strong document governance and document control experience, including ownership, versioning, review and approval arrangements.

• Proven ability to lead organisation-wide change through influence, matrix working and constructive challenge.

• Clear communication skills, with the ability to explain complex quality concepts to non-specialists and senior stakeholders.

• Line management, coaching and stakeholder influencing experience, with a supportive, accountable approach to developing colleagues.

What’s in It for You

You’ll have the opportunity to make a visible and lasting impact on how quality is owned, governed and improved across AQA.

• Lead meaningful improvement across quality and document management in a high-stakes, purpose-led environment.

• Build capability and develop others by line managing the QMS Coordinator and creating a positive, accountable quality function.

• A 35‑hour working week with flexible, hybrid working

• 25 days’ annual leave (rising to 30), plus Christmas closure days

• Excellent pension (up to 11.5% employer contribution) etc

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At AQA, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives and drives better outcomes. Our ED&I strategy ensures that everyone—regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background—is valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We actively promote inclusive language, avoid stereotypes, and strive for representation across all dimensions of diversity. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.

Application Process

To apply, please submit your CV and any supporting information requested through the application process.

• Application deadline: Wednesday 5th August

• Interview stages and timeline: First stage interviews will he held on MS Teams 19th & 20th August. Second stage will be in person at our Manchester office on 26th & 27th August.

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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 Purpose & Context:

The Quality Management Systems Manager is responsible for the design, maintenance and continual improvement of AQA’s ISO 9001‑compliant Quality Management System (QMS). The role operates across the organisation, providing expert leadership and assurance over the effectiveness of quality processes, controls, documentation and governance arrangements, ensuring consistency, compliance and continuous improvement in a high‑stakes, zero‑error environment.

As the organisational manager for ISO 9001, the post‑holder is accountable for maintaining external certification, leading AQA’s transition to the ISO 9001:2026 standard, and providing senior leaders with assurance that quality management and document control arrangements are robust, proportionate and effective. The role includes line management responsibility for a Quality Management Systems Coordinator and requires strong cross‑functional working, matrix leadership and the ability to lead through influence.Activities:

Leadership Act as the organisational expert and manager for ISO 9001 quality management systems. Lead the ongoing development, implementation and maintenance of AQA’s Quality Management System in line with ISO 9001 requirements. Lead and coordinate AQA’s organisation‑wide transition to the ISO 9001:2026 standard, recognising the material organisational, regulatory and reputational risks associated with non‑compliance. This includes undertaking a comprehensive impact assessment, developing and delivering a structured transition programme, and influencing senior leaders, process owners and cross‑functional teams to implement required changes in a high‑stakes, zero‑error environment. Provide visible leadership on quality, reinforcing the importance of effective quality management in maintaining regulatory confidence, stakeholder trust and organisational reputation. Influence senior leaders, process owners and teams to take ownership of quality, risk and continuous improvement within their areas of responsibility. Provide authoritative advice, guidance and constructive challenge on quality risks, control effectiveness and assurance outcomes, supporting informed decision making at senior levels. Lead preparation for, delivery of, and follow‑up from external ISO surveillance and recertification audits, including oversight of findings, corrective actions and progress reporting to senior stakeholders. Provide organisation‑wide assurance to senior leadership and governance forums that the Quality Management System and associated document management arrangements remain effective, proportionate and compliant. Set clear quality objectives and priorities, aligning quality management activity with AQA’s strategic objectives and operational delivery requirements. Provide regular reporting and assurance to the Audit, Risk & Compliance Committee (ARCC) on ISO 9001 compliance, QMS effectiveness, audit outcomes and key quality risks.

Quality Management System and Document Governance Maintain AQA’s ISO 9001 certification, ensuring continued compliance through effective system design, assurance and continuous improvement. Own and maintain AQA’s corporate document management framework, including quality policies, procedures and associated records. Own and provide assurance over AQA’s corporate document management framework, ensuring it remains embedded, effective and aligned to ISO 9001 and information security requirements. Ensure corporate policies and key documents are appropriately controlled, versioned, reviewed and approved, with clear ownership and accountability. Develop and maintain internal quality assurance and audit programmes to monitor compliance and effectiveness of the QMS and document management arrangements. Develop proportionate quality performance indicators and reporting, drawing on both leading and lagging measures of quality. Work closely with compliance, risk, internal audit and operational teams to ensure alignment through an integrated control framework. Support teams to design, embed and improve processes, providing specialist QMS and document management expertise and practical guidance. Provide training, guidance and role‑modelling to support consistent application of quality and document management standards across AQA. Ensure quality and document management considerations are embedded into organisational change, system implementations and operational delivery. Ensure AQA is safe, legally compliant and audit‑ready by applying relevant policies and legislative requirements, including but not limited to HSE, equality and information security.

People and culture Line manage the Quality Management Systems Coordinator, providing clear direction, performance management, coaching and development. Allocate and prioritise work across the QMS function to ensure effective delivery of assurance, documentation and improvement activity. Act as a role model for AQA behaviours, demonstrating collaboration, professionalism and a commitment to continuous improvement. Build organisational capability in quality and document management through coaching, guidance and constructive challenge.

External stakeholders Act as the primary organisational point of contact with external ISO auditors and certification bodies. Represent AQA with credibility and authority on quality management and document governance matters, as required. Keep up to date with developments in ISO standards, quality management best practice and assurance methodologies.

Essential Criteria Expert understanding of quality management systems and quality frameworks, including ISO 9001. In‑depth knowledge of the ISO 9001 standard and its practical application in complex organisations. Strong knowledge of document management and document control principles within a quality management system. Significant experience managing an ISO 9001 quality management system, including external audits. Experience of leading complex, organisation‑wide change through influence and matrix working. Understanding of assurance, internal controls and continuous improvement approaches. Ability to assess complex systems and identify proportionate, sustainable improvement opportunities. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex quality concepts to non‑specialists. Experience of influencing senior stakeholders and operating with authority and credibility. Experience of line managing, coaching and developing colleagues.

Desirable Criteria ISO 9001 Lead Auditor or equivalent qualification. A quality or continuous improvement qualification, such as Lean or Six Sigma. Experience operating in a regulated, assurance‑led or other high‑stakes environment.