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.
Job title: Learning Design Lead
Contract type: Permanent
Location: Manchester, Milton Keynes, or London
Salary: North £52,750–£58,900 | South £54,900–£61,300
Working arrangements: Hybrid – typically two days in an AQA office each week, which can include your base office or other AQA sites to collaborate with colleagues and drive innovation
Have you designed curriculum frameworks, learner journeys, or formative assessment products that make learning engaging and inclusive? If so, we’d love to hear from you.
Shape the future of learning
We’re building something new – and we want you to be part of it. AQA Assessment Services Ltd is creating a dedicated team to develop innovative learning and assessment products that go beyond the traditional 14–18 space. These roles are at the heart of our ambition to transform how learners interact with learning and assessment, both in the UK and internationally.
As a Learning Design Lead, you’ll bring expertise in how learners learn and apply that knowledge to create products that support progression—not just end-point assessment. You’ll lead the design and delivery of engaging, evidence-based learning products that are pedagogically sound, accessible, and aligned with AQA’s strategic goals.
Why join us?
Collaboration at the core: You’ll work face-to-face with a newly formed department, shaping its culture and influencing its direction. While we encourage two days a week in an AQA office, this can be at your base location or another AQA site to work with colleagues and lead innovation.
Make your mark: Be part of a team driving AQA’s growth strategy and creating digital products
Make your mark: Be part of a team driving AQA’s growth strategy and creating products that change the way learners experience education.
Professional development: Access internal programmes and opportunities to grow your expertise in learning design and leadership.
Inclusive culture: We value diversity, collaboration, and innovation – and we’re committed to creating an environment where differences are celebrated.
Purpose of the role
You’ll lead the design and delivery of learning products that support learners at every stage. Your work will ensure these products are pedagogically sound, accessible, and aligned with AQA’s strategic objectives. This role is about bringing learning science into product development—helping us create solutions that go beyond end-point assessment and truly support progression.
What you’ll be doing
Designing learning outcomes and formative assessment strategies for new products.
Creating learner journeys and support materials that make learning engaging and inclusive.
Embedding accessibility and usability principles into digital learning experiences.
Working closely with Product Managers to integrate learning design into product roadmaps.
Collaborating with assessment designers, digital content teams, and external partners to ensure quality and relevance.
Driving innovation by applying research and learner insights to improve design.
You’ll thrive in this role if you have:
Experience in learning design and development, including curriculum and assessment design.
Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
Understanding of accessibility in learning design.
Project management experience in complex environments.
A passion for innovation and continuous improvement.
What’s in it for you
Exposure to high-impact projects shaping the future of learning and assessment.
A collaborative, inclusive team culture that values your ideas and wellbeing.
Flexible working, a 35-hour week, and 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays and Christmas closure).
A generous pension scheme with up to 11.5% employer contributions.
Private medical insurance, health cash plan, EV leasing, volunteering days, and modern offices with gym.
Opportunities to influence learning strategy across diverse markets and education models.
Access to learning and development, including leadership and strategic thinking.
Diversity and inclusion
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 cover letter by Sunday 7th December 2025 at 23:59.
UPDATED:
First stage: Virtual Interviews Thursday 8th January 2026
Second and Final stage: Face to Face interviews week commencing Tuesday 13th January 2026 and will involve a structured interview and a task.
Reference code: #CRE23
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 DescriptionSummary
Purpose:AQA Assessment Services Ltd (ASL) is driving a new programme of work to successfully implement its ambitious Business Plan to double the size of the business within the next five years. The Learning Design Lead will form part of the team developing and managing a new range of innovative assessment products designed to meet the needs of learners at different stages of their learning experience.
They’ll combine expertise in general, technical and vocational education, to ensure the successful development specific assessment products within the wider portfolio, under guidance of the Head of Assessment Products. We’re looking for an experienced and dynamic Learning Design Lead with a passion for academic, technical and vocational education, both in the UK and internationally.Landscape:
AQA is the leading exam board in the United Kingdom. We’re an independent education charity with over 120 years of assessment expertise and knowledge. Our purpose is to support education, teachers and learners. We reinvest any surplus into research and innovation, to improve the quality and reliability of assessments and contribute to policy and practice worldwide. AQA Global Assessment Services combines this expertise with skills from across the wider AQA group. We work in partnership with education ministries, exam boards, and education providers to understand their needs and develop customised end-to-end assessment solutions. ASL will be driving forward strategic initiatives by developing new partnerships, enterprise customers, and large delivery contracts. To be successful in these we will need to develop programmes of work which ensure different parts of AQA are connected in support of the customer requirements.
The Learning Design Lead is accountable for leading the development and management of a set of products in new assessment areas. This role is crucial in ensuring AQA maintains and expands its market share in these new assessment areas. Key responsibilities include:
Activities:
Customer Focus:Engage with internal and external stakeholders on new learning design issues to support new product development
Represent ASL to meet wider business needs, support delivery and input learning expertise to strategic projects
Champion how new assessment products should reflect customer needs whilst focussing on high quality (validity, reliability, practicality and impact)
Financial Management:Calculate and review authoring fees for products
Contribute to pricing models for new assessment products
Product and Internal ProcessesLead learning design activities for a range of new assessment products, to ensure quality, budget control and timely delivery
Oversee the end-to-end design of engaging, inclusive, and evidence-based learning products
Align learning design strategies with AQA’s strategic goals and educational best practices
Ensure the new products are pedagogically sound, accessible, and meet the needs of diverse learners.
Keep up to date with latest thinking and policy on curriculum and assessment design and put this into practice
Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement in learning design practices
Analyse assessment performance data and create, with key stakeholders, a shared understanding of strengths and weaknesses of our products and recommend / implement improvements
Recruit and Lead associates, by working with other teams within AQA
Communicate clear expectations to associates when commissioning/planning learning and assessment products
Create and maintain accurate records related to products to ensure strategy and approach is clear and conformed to
Establish and maintain quality standards for all learning products
Manage the creation of reports on the products
People and Culture:Demonstrate commercial flexibility by undertaking other responsibilities which are of a commensurate level outside the terms of this role profile as business needs change.
Comply with all AQA’s policies and other legislative requirements, including but not limited to HSE, Equal Opportunities and ISMS.
Work with colleagues in the team to create and embed good practice in learning and assessment design and development
Utilise the available range of digital tools for communication, content creation and information processing in order to work effectively and efficiently. Maintain digital skills to meet business need.
Technology:Work with external partners and stakeholders within AQA to ensure successful outcomes in what will be innovative new approaches with technology to support learning and assessment products
Government and External Relations:Ensure that all product related regulatory and compliance activities, records and risk management processes are maintained and managed.
To be successful in this role, you will need to know:
Knowledge: Learning design and development and the ability to apply this knowledge to various learning and assessment products, as well as to a range of subjects. Curriculum design and its impact on assessment strategies, developing educational products to deadlines and meeting commercial objectives, UK and International education context, the regulatory environment in which AQA works and the importance of compliance
Qualification: Degree-level education or equivalent experience.
Skills: communication, influencing, negotiation, creative thinking, analysis, problem solving, prioritisation, strategic planning and interpersonal abilities.
Experience: curriculum, learning and assessment design and development, curriculum and or support material development, working in a complex matrix environment, managing multiple projects, complex tasks and consistently delivering on time
Top Skills
AQA Manchester, England Office
Devas Street, Manchester, United Kingdom, M15 6EX
