The purpose of the role is to support Signature to enable a world where everyone communicates seamlessly, and inclusivity is the norm and where BSL is widely known and used.
The Strategic Qualification Manager drives Signature to achieve its mission by evaluating, developing and facilitating the delivery of our qualifications to candidates through our centres.
This is a strategic role where you will develop and ensure Signature offering continues to maintain Ofqual requirements, ensuring the highest level of standards are adhered to across the entire qualification range and therefore enabling our centres to excel in their mission to make BSL accessible for everyone, and provide the best learning experience for those that have made the commitment to learn BSL.
As the Strategic Qualifications Manager you will be:
> Responsible for the Annual, 3-year and 5-year plan for Qualification and Assessment review and development incorporating all aspect of the development work cycle, budgets, implementation, evaluation and reporting.
> Responsible for the creation and maintenance of external resources (support materials and products inc BSL Homework). Overseeing the project planning to deliver on agreed timescales and working with other teams as appropriate.
> Work with the SLT on the development and implementation of new qualifications, including management of research, external consultants, and appropriate feedback mechanisms.
> Responsibility for ensuring all qualifications and materials comply with agreed internal and regulatory requirements.
> Using appropriate external resources, ensure the educational knowledge we require for innovative and compliant assessments.
> Work with the SLT to ensure the organisation is using the most up to date knowledge of general language development, the language (BSL), qualifications, learning and technology using external resources where required.
> Work with the wider management team to ensure all qualifications and supporting materials and products contribute to achieving the strategic objectives including meeting volume and financial levels agreed.
> Responsible for ensuring all qualifications and assessment models are built into IRIS to allow centres to book assessments in a timely manner.
> Responsible for ensuring all qualification regulations are reviewed annually, including consideration of any compliance findings and reporting on outcomes of recommendations to SLT and the Board of Trustees. Work with the wider management team to ensure all changes to regulations are appropriately communicated to assessors and centres within agreed timescales
> Responsible for the annual plan of assessment and mock assessment materials development including content, arrangements and budget.
> Working with the Regulatory Compliance Manager, responsible for ensuring the annual plan for assessor, centre and qualification update and training events includes appropriate content and arrangements.
> Support the Executive Director in matters relating to Strategic Qualification Development.
> Carry out any other duties which may reasonably be expected of the post holder
An ideal candidate possesses a strategic vision to identify growth opportunities in both current and new business areas. They are passionate about developing and mentoring the team and have a solid understanding of the political landscape, particularly within the charity sector.
With strong communication skills and the gravitas to represent the organisation both internally and externally, they confidently and constructively challenge the status quo and where necessary the SLT using appropriate evidence.
Additionally, they have the discernment to know when to involve the Executive Director and when to take ownership of tasks to drive them to completion.
> Proven experience designing, developing, and reviewing qualifications, assessments, and associated documentation (specifications, SAMs, mark schemes, grading criteria).
> Strong grasp of assessment principles: validity, reliability, fairness, standard setting, comparability, item banking, and blueprinting.
> Strong initiative
> Excellent communication skills
> Creative, innovative approach to problem solving and product development
> Excellent self-awareness in working with a wide range of people both internally and externally
> Attention to detail
> Ability to research, condense and apply acquired knowledge
> Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
> Understanding of Ofqual/Regulated Qualification Frameworks (RQF/SQA/CQFW/QQI er relevant national frameworks)
> Negotiation skills
Experience of people management
Expected
> Degree level or equivalent.
Desirable
> BSL qualifications at Level 3 or higher
> Project management qualification
Pay: £28,000.00-£30,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Work from home
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Durham DH1 1TH
