Deputy Director, Assessment Services

Deputy Director, Assessment Services

Employer
National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER)

Location
Slough, hybrid working

Salary
£80,000 per annum

Closing date
4 Jul 2026

Contract
Permanent

Hours
Full time

Sector
Charities

Employee benefits & values
Hybrid working

Job Details

Deputy Director (Assessment Services), National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER)

Slough Office - Hybrid Working - Salary of circa £80,000

NFER is a leading independent charity dedicated to improving education outcomes through robust research and high-quality assessment. With over 80 years of impact, we work at the intersection of evidence, policy and practice, supporting schools, governments and system leaders in the UK and internationally.

We are now seeking a senior leader to oversee and grow our assessment services portfolio. This is a pivotal appointment, combining strategic leadership, commercial acumen and sufficient technical understanding to operate credibly within a highly specialist environment.

The successful candidate will lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for the development and delivery of large-scale assessments and services. They will play a central role in driving sustainable income growth, identifying new market opportunities and strengthening NFER's position both in the UK and internationally. Alongside this, the role requires strong internal leadership, bringing together teams that have experienced recent change and establishing a clear, forward-looking direction.

Candidates will bring a track record of leading complex services or programmes, with experience of business development and client engagement. While deep assessment expertise is not essential, an ability to engage confidently with technical specialists and translate insight into commercial opportunity is critical. Above all, the successful individual will align with NFER's mission and demonstrate the judgement to balance impact with financial sustainability.

This is an opportunity to shape the future of assessment within a respected, mission-driven organisation at a time of strategic investment in digital capability and growth.

Closing date: 04 July 2026

Final panel interviews are due to be held at NFER's offices on 03 August 2026.

For further information, including the candidate brief and details of the application process, please visit: National Foundation for Educational Research - Deputy Director of Assessment | AQ or contact our advising consultants at Anderson Quigley for a confidential conversation:

• Helene Usherwood: helene.usherwood@andersonquigley.com


• Elyse Turner-Pearce: elyse.turnerpearce@andersonquigley.com

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We are now seeking a senior leader to oversee and grow our assessment services portfolio. This is a pivotal appointment, combining strategic leadership, commercial acumen and sufficient technical understanding to operate credibly within a highly specialist environment.

The successful candidate will lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for the development and delivery of large-scale assessments and services. They will play a central role in driving sustainable income growth, identifying new market opportunities and strengthening NFER's position both in the UK and internationally. Alongside this, the role requires strong internal leadership, bringing together teams that have experienced recent change and establishing a clear, forward-looking direction.

Candidates will bring a track record of leading complex services or programmes, with experience of business development and client engagement. While deep assessment expertise is not essential, an ability to engage confidently with technical specialists and translate insight into commercial opportunity is critical. Above all, the successful individual will align with NFER's mission and demonstrate the judgement to balance impact with financial sustainability.

NFER is a leading independent charity dedicated to improving education outcomes through robust research and high-quality assessment. With over 80 years of impact, we work at the intersection of evidence, policy and practice, supporting schools, governments and system leaders in the UK and internationally.