At AQA were committed to advancing education and were committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and its our people who make this happen.

QMS Manager

Permanent

Manchester

Salary:55700 - 63100

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

Introduction

This is a senior quality role with realorganisationalinfluence. AsQMS Manageryoullown and shape AQAs ISO 9001 compliant Quality Management System helping to protect confidence consistency and quality across work that matters to learnersschoolsand colleges.

Purpose of the Role

Youlllead the designmaintenanceand continual improvement of AQAs QMS making sure quality processes controlsdocumentationand governance are clear effective and audit ready. Acting as theorganisationalexpert for ISO 9001youllmaintainexternal certification lead the transition toISO 9001:2026and give senior leaders clear assurance that quality and document control arrangements are robust and proportionate.

Key Responsibilities

In this roleyoullbe responsible for:

• Owning and improving AQAs ISO 9001 compliant QMS including certification external audit preparation findings correctiveactionsand senior reporting.

• Leading the ISO 9001:2026 transitionprogramme including impact assessmentplanningand influencing senior leaders processownersand cross-functional teams to deliver required changes.

• Providing expert leadership on corporate document management controlled documents quality performanceindicatorsand QMS assurance while line managingcoachingandprioritisingwork 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 technicalexpertisewith clear communication strongjudgementand the confidence to influence across a complexorganisation.

• Expert knowledge of ISO 9001 and quality management systems withsignificant experiencemanaging certification and external audits.

• Strong document governance and document control experience including ownership versioningreviewand approval arrangements.

• Proven ability to leadorganisation-wide change through influence matrixworkingand constructivechallenge.

• 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.

Whatsin It for You

Youllhave the opportunity to make a visible and lasting impact on how quality is ownedgovernedand improved across AQA.

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

• Build capability and develop othersby linemanaging the QMS Coordinator and creating a positive accountable quality function.

• A 35hour 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 everyoneregardless of religion ethnicity gender identity or expression age disability sexual orientation or backgroundis 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 pleasesubmityour CV and any supporting information requested through the application process.

• Application deadline:Wednesday 5thAugust

• Interview stages and timeline:First stage interviews will he heldonMS Teams 19th& will bein personat our Manchester office on 26th& 27thAugust.

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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 AQAs ISO 9001compliant 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 highstakes zeroerror environment.

As the organisational manager for ISO 9001 the postholder is accountable for maintaining external certification leading AQAs 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 crossfunctional working matrix leadership and the ability to lead through :

Leadership
Act as the organisational expert and manager for ISO 9001 quality management systems.
Lead the ongoing development implementation and maintenance of AQAs Quality Management System in line with ISO 9001 requirements.
Lead and coordinate AQAs organisationwide transition to the ISO 9001:2026 standard recognising the material organisational regulatory and reputational risks associated with noncompliance. This includes undertaking a comprehensive impact assessment developing and delivering a structured transition programme and influencing senior leaders process owners and crossfunctional teams to implement required changes in a highstakes zeroerror 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 followup from external ISO surveillance and recertification audits including oversight of findings corrective actions and progress reporting to senior stakeholders.
Provide organisationwide 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 AQAs 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 AQAs ISO 9001 certification ensuring continued compliance through effective system design assurance and continuous improvement.
Own and maintain AQAs corporate document management framework including quality policies procedures and associated records.
Own and provide assurance over AQAs 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 rolemodelling 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 auditready 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.
Indepth 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 organisationwide 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 nonspecialists.
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 assuranceled or other highstakes environment.