Head of Assessment & Quality

Location: Any UK Trust office - hybrid - 40-60% of the week spent in an office

1st stage interviews: 21/09 over MS Teams

2nd stage interviews: 29/09 face-to-face (location TBC)

At The King's Trust, we believe that every young person should have the opportunity to develop the skills, confidence and recognised achievements they need to succeed. Our qualifications play a vital role in helping young people take positive steps into education, employment and training.

We're looking for an experienced and strategic Head of Assessment & Quality to lead the quality assurance, assessment and compliance functions within our Qualifications team. This is a key leadership role, responsible for ensuring the integrity, quality and regulatory compliance of our qualifications provision, while helping to shape the future development of The King's Trust as a recognised Awarding Organisation.

Reporting to the Responsible Officer, you will lead our quality assurance strategy, driving continuous improvement across assessment, awarding, governance and operational practices. You'll oversee compliance with regulatory requirements, manage key quality and risk processes, and provide expert leadership to ensure learners receive a fair, consistent and high-quality experience across our qualifications provision and associated apprenticeship assessment and quality activities.

Working closely with regulators, centres, delivery partners and colleagues across the organisation, you'll play a central role in maintaining confidence in our qualifications and ensuring they continue to meet the needs of young people and the wider education and skills sector.

We're looking for someone who brings:

• Significant experience leading assessment, quality assurance and compliance functions within an awarding organisation environment.
• Strong knowledge of qualification frameworks, assessment methodologies and awarding organisation requirements, complemented by experience leading quality assurance and assessment activities across qualifications and apprenticeships.
• A detailed understanding of regulatory requirements, including Conditions of Recognition and quality assurance principles.
• Experience of leading audits, compliance activity, governance processes and risk management frameworks.
• The ability to analyse quality and performance data to identify risks, inform decision-making and drive improvement.
• Experience building effective relationships with regulators, external partners and senior stakeholders.
• A passion for improving opportunities and outcomes for young people.

In this role, you will:

• Lead and develop our quality assurance approach, ensuring robust standards across assessment and awarding activity.
• Drive continuous improvement through effective quality monitoring, audit and compliance arrangements.
• Oversee key processes including malpractice, appeals, complaints, reasonable adjustments and regulatory reporting.
• Provide expert advice and leadership on assessment, quality and compliance matters across the organisation.
• Support the ongoing development and growth of The King's Trust Qualifications offer and its impact on young people.

Join us and help ensure every qualification awarded by The King's Trust is underpinned by quality, integrity and a commitment to creating better futures for young people.

What happens next?  

Please submit a CV and Cover Letter that includes your experience, transferable skills and motivation to work for The King's Trust! The Team will be in touch about the next steps shortly after the closing date. 

Why do we need a Head of Assessment & Quality? 

Last year, we helped more than 40,000 Young People, with three in four young people on our programmes moving into a positive outcome in work, education or training.The young people we help face a range of challenges, such as unemployment, mental health issues or some who have been in trouble with the law. We believe all young people should have the chance to succeed, and that young people are the key to a positive and prosperous future for all of us. We want to continue having a positive impact on young people’s lives, and we couldn’t do this without the important work of the Head of Assessment & Quality! 

Perks for working at The Trust! 

• Great holiday package! 30 days annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays. Office closure on the days between Christmas and New Year 
• Flexible working! Where operationally possible, our roles require a combination of office days and working from home (please speak to the hiring manager about this particular role)
• You can volunteer for and/or attend events – The King's Trust Awards, Pride, active events etc. 
• In-house learning platform! Develop your skills for your career and your role 
• Benefits platform! Everything from health and financial well-being support to discounts on your favourite restaurants, shops and cinemas. 
• Personal development opportunities through our Networks – KT CAN (Cultural Awareness Network), KT GEN (Gender Equality Network), KT DAWN (Disability & Wellbeing Network), and PULSE (LGBTQIA+ Network). 
• Fantastic Family leave! Receive 13 weeks of full pay and 13 weeks of half pay for maternity and adoption leave. Receive 8 weeks of full pay for paternity leave. 
• Interest-free season ticket loans 
• The Trust will contribute 5% of your salary to the Trust Pension Scheme 
• Generous life assurance cover (4 x annual salary)