Executive Director - Qualifications Policy and Reform

Yolk Recruitment's Public Sector and Not-for-Profit team is proud to be the Executive Search Partner for Qualifications Wales in the appointment of an Executive Director - Qualifications Policy and Reform. Qualifications Wales is the independent national body responsible for regulating recognised awarding bodies that offer non-degree qualifications in Wales.

The Opportunity

You will form part of the executive team, comprising of the Chief Executive and 3 other Executive Directors. This team is responsible for the day-to-day operation of Qualifications Wales, the fulfilment of its functions, delivery of its business plan and strategic priorities, and the preparation of its annual report. Executive Directors form the key members of Management Board, which is the principal internal decision-making forum within Qualifications Wales.

Reporting to the CEO and as a member of the executive team, the Executive Director - Qualifications Policy and Reform will provide strategic leadership to the Qualifications Policy and Reform (QPR) directorate. The QPR directorate operates largely on a project basis with a varying number of projects of varying scales - ranging from large complex multi-year projects with large budgets to small projects that have small budgets and relatively short lifecycles.

You'll be responsible for analysing key trends in education and assessment to inform the development of qualification reform approaches and policies that are appropriate to Wales and align with Qualifications Wales' strategic objectives.

Experience and Knowledge Required:

• Experience of working in a leadership role with significant strategic impact.
• Good knowledge of project and programme management with experience of managing projects, able to deliver to the standards required.
• Extensive understanding of the qualifications system and how qualifications contribute to the education system more widely.
• An understanding of how awarding bodies operate and the pressures they face.
• A solid background in change management as well as stakeholder management.
• Leadership skills, with a proven ability to lead and motivate your directorate to deliver.
• Collaborative and influential with the ability to develop innovative solutions to complex problems.

Application Details:

Please contact Hannah Welfoot at Yolk Recruitment to access the full Candidate Pack which includes a full job description, or to discuss the role further.

To apply, please submit your CV and a supporting statement (max 3,000 words) detailing how you meet the essential criteria - further details outlined in the Candidate Pack.

Closing date - 23:59 on Sunday, 24th November 2024.

Interview date - first interview Monday, 9th December 2024 held in person in Newport.

Qualifications Wales is committed to diversity, equality and inclusion. We actively encourage applications from all sections of the community.