Advanced Specialist, Compliance & Operations

Job Title

Advanced Specialist, Compliance & Operations

Description

Support and enhance the quality, compliance, and operational performance of Pearson's vocational education centres, ensuring delivery, assessment, and quality assurance activities meet regulatory and awarding organisation requirements.

This role is aligned to other titles in the market such as Quality Assurance Manager, Centre Quality Manager, Compliance Manager, Education Quality Manager, Vocational Quality Manager, Regulatory Compliance Manager, Quality & Operations Manager, Centre Performance Manager, or Assessment Quality Manager.

What You'll Be Doing

• Support vocational centres in maintaining compliance with Pearson quality standards, policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Work directly with centres identified as high-risk to address quality, operational, and compliance concerns.
• Lead and coordinate quality improvement initiatives across multiple centres and qualification areas.
• Support investigations and resolution of malpractice and maladministration cases.
• Address operational issues impacting centre performance, including late registrations, inadequate resources, delivery concerns, and quality assurance failures.
• Support actions arising from Academic Management Reviews and other quality monitoring activities.
• Provide expert guidance on internal and external quality assurance processes, vocational assessment practices, and awarding organisation requirements.
• Monitor centre activity and develop improvement plans to ensure compliance and continuous quality enhancement.
• Maintain accurate, auditable records and produce data and reports to support operational decision-making.
• Work closely with Quality Standards, Investigations, Vocational Assessment and Centre Management teams to identify trends, risks, and solutions.
• Build effective relationships with centre leadership teams and stakeholders to drive positive quality outcomes.

What We're Looking For

• Experience managing quality assurance within an educational, vocational, assessment, or awarding organisation environment.
• Strong knowledge of vocational qualification delivery, assessment, and quality assurance processes.
• Experience supporting compliance, audits, investigations, or centre improvement activity.
• Ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong project planning, organisation, and workload management skills.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain complex requirements clearly.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently within a changing environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a pragmatic approach to improving performance and compliance.
• Graduate level education and professional education qualifications preferred.
• Teaching, mentoring, or people management experience would be advantageous.

Why Join Pearson?

At Pearson, our mission is simple: to help people realise the life they imagine through learning. You'll play a key role in protecting the integrity of Pearson qualifications, supporting vocational centres across the UK, and helping learners receive high-quality, compliant educational experiences.

Working Model

This is a home-based role with regular travel to vocational centres within the South of England and Pearson locations as required. Applicants must hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle during working hours.

Skills

Quality Assurance | Compliance | Education Operations | Vocational Qualifications | Centre Management | Assessment & Verification | Regulatory Compliance | Risk Management | Audit & Governance | Investigations | Malpractice Resolution | Stakeholder Management | Performance Improvement | Quality Standards | Project Management | Educational Compliance | Centre Performance | Vocational Education | Operational Excellence | Quality Improvement

UK Benefits & Rewards

Pearson offers a competitive salary and benefits package which may include annual bonus opportunities, pension contributions, life assurance, private healthcare options, holiday entitlement, wellbeing programmes, learning and development opportunities, employee assistance programmes, and a range of flexible benefits. Eligibility and offerings may vary by location and employment status.