{"id":3891946,"url":"https://alion.io/job/aqa-qms-manager","title":"QMS Manager","company":{"id":1791368,"name":"AQA","domain":"aqa.org.uk","url":"https://alion.io/company/aqa-org-uk","size_band":null,"is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workday","truth_index":null},"role":"Industrial Engineering","role_family":"Industrial Engineering","seniority":null,"employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"hybrid","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Manchester, United Kingdom"],"countries":["GB"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":55700,"max":63100,"currency":"GBP","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":84338},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Microsoft Teams","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-11-06T21:47:25Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-11-06","last_verified_at":"2026-11-07T03:07:17Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":0,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":0},"description":"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’sour people who make this happen.\nQMS Manager\nPermanent\nManchester\nSalary:£55,700 - £63,100\nWorking Arrangements; Hybrid - 2 days per week in the office.\nIntroduction\nThis is a senior quality role with real organisational influence. As QMS Manager, you’ll own and shape AQA’s ISO 9001 compliant Quality Management System, helping to protect confidence, consistency and quality across work that matters to learners, schools and colleges.\nPurpose of the Role\nYou’ll lead the design, maintenance and continual improvement of AQA’s QMS, making sure quality processes, controls, documentation and governance are clear, effective and audit ready. Acting as the organisational expert for ISO 9001, you’ll maintain external certification, lead the transition to ISO 9001:2026 and give senior leaders clear assurance that quality and document control arrangements are robust and proportionate.\nKey Responsibilities\nIn this role, you'll be responsible for:\nOwning and improving AQA’s ISO 9001 compliant QMS, including certification, external audit preparation, findings, corrective actions and senior reporting. \nLeading the ISO 9001:2026 transition programme, including impact assessment, planning and influencing senior leaders, process owners and cross-functional teams to deliver required changes. \nProviding expert leadership on corporate document management, controlled documents, quality performance indicators and QMS assurance while line managing, coaching and prioritising work for the QMS Coordinator. \nLeading and developing the QMS Coordinator, providing day-to-day direction, coaching and support to ensure delivery of team objectives and continued professional growth.\nWhat We Are Looking For\nThis role will suit an experienced quality leader who can combine technical expertise with clear communication, strong judgement and the confidence to influence across a complex organisation.\nExpert knowledge of ISO 9001 and quality management systems, with significant experience managing certification and external audits. \nStrong document governance and document control experience, including ownership, versioning, review and approval arrangements. \nProven ability to lead organisation-wide change through influence, matrix working and constructive challenge. \nClear communication skills, with the ability to explain complex quality concepts to non-specialists and senior stakeholders. \nLine management, coaching and stakeholder influencing experience, with a supportive, accountable approach to developing colleagues. \nWhat’s in It for You\nYou’ll have the opportunity to make a visible and lasting impact on how quality is owned, governed and improved across AQA.\nLead meaningful improvement across quality and document management in a high-stakes, purpose-led environment. \nBuild capability and develop others by line managing the QMS Coordinator and creating a positive, accountable quality function. \nA 35-hour working week with flexible, hybrid working \n25 days’ annual leave (rising to 30), plus Christmas closure days \nExcellent pension (up to 11.5% employer contribution) etc \nDiversity and Inclusion Statement\nAt 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.\nApplication Process\nTo apply, please submit your CV and any supporting information requested through the application process.\nApplication deadline: Sunday 22nd November\nInterview stages and timeline: First stage interviews will he held on MS Teams. Second stage will be in person at our Manchester office.\nRecruitment Agencies\nWe have a preferred supplier list (PSL) in place.\nUnsolicited CVs will be treated as a gift. We will not be subject to or liable under your terms and conditions for agency fees.\nFull Job Description\nSummary\nPurpose & Context:The Quality Management Systems Manager is responsible for the design, maintenance and continual improvement of AQA’s ISO 9001-compliant 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 high-stakes, zero-error environment.\nAs the organisational manager for ISO 9001, the post-holder is accountable for maintaining external certification, leading AQA’s 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 cross-functional working, matrix leadership and the ability to lead through influence.Activities:\nLeadership\nAct as the organisational expert and manager for ISO 9001 quality management systems.\nLead the ongoing development, implementation and maintenance of AQA’s Quality Management System in line with ISO 9001 requirements.\nLead and coordinate AQA’s organisation-wide transition to the ISO 9001:2026 standard, recognising the material organisational, regulatory and reputational risks associated with non-compliance. This includes undertaking a comprehensive impact assessment, developing and delivering a structured transition programme, and influencing senior leaders, process owners and cross-functional teams to implement required changes in a high-stakes, zero-error environment.\nProvide visible leadership on quality, reinforcing the importance of effective quality management in maintaining regulatory confidence, stakeholder trust and organisational reputation.\nInfluence senior leaders, process owners and teams to take ownership of quality, risk and continuous improvement within their areas of responsibility.\nProvide authoritative advice, guidance and constructive challenge on quality risks, control effectiveness and assurance outcomes, supporting informed decision making at senior levels.\nLead preparation for, delivery of, and follow-up from external ISO surveillance and recertification audits, including oversight of findings, corrective actions and progress reporting to senior stakeholders.\nProvide organisation-wide assurance to senior leadership and governance forums that the Quality Management System and associated document management arrangements remain effective, proportionate and compliant.\nSet clear quality objectives and priorities, aligning quality management activity with AQA’s strategic objectives and operational delivery requirements.\nProvide regular reporting and assurance to the Audit, Risk & Compliance Committee (ARCC) on ISO 9001 compliance, QMS effectiveness, audit outcomes and key quality risks.\nQuality Management System and Document Governance\nMaintain AQA’s ISO 9001 certification, ensuring continued compliance through effective system design, assurance and continuous improvement.\nOwn and maintain AQA’s corporate document management framework, including quality policies, procedures and associated records.\nOwn and provide assurance over AQA’s corporate document management framework, ensuring it remains embedded, effective and aligned to ISO 9001 and information security requirements.\nEnsure corporate policies and key documents are appropriately controlled, versioned, reviewed and approved, with clear ownership and accountability.\nDevelop and maintain internal quality assurance and audit programmes to monitor compliance and effectiveness of the QMS and document management arrangements.\nDevelop proportionate quality performance indicators and reporting, drawing on both leading and lagging measures of quality.\nWork closely with compliance, risk, internal audit and operational teams to ensure alignment through an integrated control framework.\nSupport teams to design, embed and improve processes, providing specialist QMS and document management expertise and practical guidance.\nProvide training, guidance and role-modelling to support consistent application of quality and document management standards across AQA.\nEnsure quality and document management considerations are embedded into organisational change, system implementations and operational delivery.\nEnsure AQA is safe, legally compliant and audit-ready by applying relevant policies and legislative requirements, including but not limited to HSE, equality and information security.\nPeople and culture\nLine manage the Quality Management Systems Coordinator, providing clear direction, performance management, coaching and development.\nAllocate and prioritise work across the QMS function to ensure effective delivery of assurance, documentation and improvement activity.\nAct as a role model for AQA behaviours, demonstrating collaboration, professionalism and a commitment to continuous improvement.\nBuild organisational capability in quality and document management through coaching, guidance and constructive challenge.\nExternal stakeholders\nAct as the primary organisational point of contact with external ISO auditors and certification bodies.\nRepresent AQA with credibility and authority on quality management and document governance matters, as required.\nKeep up to date with developments in ISO standards, quality management best practice and assurance methodologies.\nEssential Criteria\nExpert understanding of quality management systems and quality frameworks, including ISO 9001.\nIn-depth knowledge of the ISO 9001 standard and its practical application in complex organisations.\nStrong knowledge of document management and document control principles within a quality management system.\nSignificant experience managing an ISO 9001 quality management system, including external audits.\nExperience of leading complex, organisation-wide change through influence and matrix working.\nUnderstanding of assurance, internal controls and continuous improvement approaches.\nAbility to assess complex systems and identify proportionate, sustainable improvement opportunities.\nExcellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex quality concepts to non-specialists.\nExperience of influencing senior stakeholders and operating with authority and credibility.\nExperience of line managing, coaching and developing colleagues.\nDesirable Criteria\nISO 9001 Lead Auditor or equivalent qualification.\nA quality or continuous improvement qualification, such as Lean or Six Sigma.\nExperience operating in a regulated, assurance-led or other high-stakes environment.","description_format":"text","description_chars":11178,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":null,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":null,"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Annual leave","Equity","Hybrid work"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United Kingdom","iso":"GB","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Skill Assessment","Standards & Industry Bodies"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-11-06T21:47:25Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":86,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.86,"p_room":1,"age_days":0,"expected_fill_days":15,"reasons":["conf:2","win:early"],"computed_at":"2026-11-07T05:47:08Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":84338,"is_top_pay":false},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/aqa-qms-manager","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/aqa-qms-manager.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-11-07T18:48:34Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":28770,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-11-08T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":1791368},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=1791368"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Faqa-qms-manager"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Faqa-qms-manager"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Faqa-qms-manager"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/aqa-qms-manager\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Faqa-qms-manager"}],"agent":{"mcp":"https://alion.io/mcp/jobs","mcp_open":"https://alion.io/mcp/open","next":[{"tool":"get_job","arguments":{"id":3891946}},{"tool":"search_jobs","arguments":{"company":"aqa.org.uk","detail":"compact"}},{"tool":"match_people","arguments":{"job_id":3891946},"note":"people open to offers who fit this vacancy"}],"note":"The same data through MCP tools: https://alion.io/mcp/open needs no sign-in (compact searches, postings, people); https://alion.io/mcp with an Alion account has everything. Docs: https://alion.io/developers"}}