Quality Assurance Manager

Job Overview

Focus Awards, a leading Ofqual‑regulated Awarding Organisation (AO), is actively looking for an organised, efficient, and personable External Quality Assurer (EQA) with strong, demonstrable experience in Service Enterprise or Sports Leisure and Recreation. Broad commercial experience is essential. You have worked previously with another AO, liaising directly with the CEO, SMT and QA department. You are a great communicator both within the organisational structure and outside.

A credible background in qualification development goes with the territory of an EQA, so you will have this too… A full driving licence, access to a car and willingness to travel is essential.

• Level 4 Award in External Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice (RQF) or hold ENTO NVQ Unit V2 (D35)
• Degree or Master’s level qualification in subject matter area of competence and/or regulated qualifications in the subject area.

• Drive and support the Quality Assurance function to ensure that Focus Awards meets the standards required by senior management and by the regulatory authorities with respect to quality assurance.
• Manage and monitor all aspects of quality assurance work including the centre recognition process, external moderation/verification activity, and external assessment activity, following processes implemented by the Company from time to time to ensure we meet customer service and quality assurance targets.
• Work with relevant internal and external stakeholders regarding quality assurance processes and procedures for new and existing provision throughout the qualification development process.
• Recruit, train, and manage remote Subject Moderators/External Quality Assurers by monitoring their performance and providing them with feedback as required, to ensure we provide an excellent, compliant service to our centres.
• Contribute to, and where appropriate, conduct and manage investigations into suspected cases of maladministration and malpractice.
• Provide support, advice, and guidance to recognised centres, potential new customers, and Subject Moderators/External Quality Assurers, on quality assurance issues. Deliver and arrange staff development sessions as appropriate.
• Plan and manage Focus Awards’ quality assurance events, by ensuring adequate preparation and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to Focus Awards’ marketing strategy and marketing events as required.
• Manage the development and maintenance of quality assurance documentation, e.g., procedures, manuals, and handbooks.
• Manage centre sanctions and appeals in liaison with the CEO and SMT when required.
• Manage the provision of Reasonable Adjustments and Special Considerations.
• Contribute to regulatory audits relevant to quality assurance issues.
• Contribute to self‑assessment activities relevant to quality assurance issues.

• Represent Focus Awards at external local, regional, and national events, including regulatory events.
• Assist with activities for new centre and additional qualification approvals, following the procedures and processes laid down by Focus Awards.
• Monitor EQA post‑approval visits to approved centres to advise them on Focus Awards’ requirements.
• Monitor the on‑going compliance of specified centres with regulatory requirements, as laid down in Focus Awards' procedures and processes and to ensure and verify the consistency of assessment decisions for specified qualifications across centres.
• Ensure assessment practice confirms validity, authenticity, reliability, currency, and sufficiency.
• Ensure all Quality Assurance practices and procedures meet Focus Awards' and regulatory requirements and that EQAs/IQAs practice validity, authenticity, reliability, currency, and sufficiency.
• Ensure that Centre Staff and resources are appropriate to the qualification being delivered.
• Meet with staff and learners to discuss aspects of the qualification, including induction, assessment process, resources, qualification structure, and the student support/mentoring process.
• Provide positive feedback, identify areas of best practice, and…