National Foundation for Educational Research
If you are exploring this opportunity, you are likely looking for a role with real substance. One where the work matters, the challenges are tangible, and the impact is measurable. That is what you will find at NFER.
We are a research and assessment organisation with a clear public purpose. Our work informs decisions that shape education systems, influence policy, and support teachers in classrooms every day. That responsibility defines both our standards and our ambition.
NFER has recently come through a period of change. Teams have been brought together, priorities have been sharpened, and there is now a stronger focus on sustainable growth alongside our mission. The foundations are in place, but there is still work to do to realise the full opportunity ahead.
Assessment sits at the centre of that ambition. It underpins national programmes as well as products used directly by schools. Expectations, however, are shifting. Clients want deeper insight, quicker turnaround and increasingly digital solutions. We are investing to meet that demand, but success will depend on how effectively we connect expertise, commercial thinking and delivery.
The Deputy Director of Assessment role is a critical part of that. This is not a maintenance role. It requires someone who can step into a complex environment, lead a team with strong technical depth, and provide clarity and direction. Externally, the role carries equal weight. Building relationships, identifying opportunities and converting them into sustainable income are essential. This demands sound judgement, credibility and the ability to move confidently between technical and commercial conversations.
You will work closely with colleagues across research, digital and communications. The role is highly collaborative and visible, with real influence on how NFER evolves and positions itself in a changing education landscape.
If you are motivated by building, shaping and delivering in an environment that combines purpose with complexity, this is worth serious consideration.
We look forward to hearing from you.
At NFER (National Foundation for Educational Research), we are passionate about improving education for all children and young people. Established in 1946, we are the UK’s leading independent provider of rigorous research and assessment services for education. Our mission is to improve outcomes for future generations everywhere and to support positive change across education systems.
We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to excel. Yet, many face barriers that hinder their educational progress. Our work focuses on understanding these challenges and providing actionable insights to overcome them. We conduct extensive research into various aspects of education, from early years to post-16 education and beyond.
High quality assessment is crucial in enabling teachers, leaders and governments to understand and support the progress of children and young people. NFER’s deep expertise in assessment development, delivery and innovation has been the foundation of our work to improve outcomes for children and young people since the charity was established in 1946. Our assessments are trusted by schools and educators to gauge students’ progress and inform teaching practice. We also develop practical resources and tools that educators can use to enhance learning outcomes.
By partnering with schools, policymakers, and educational organisations, we ensure that our findings and recommendations lead to real-world improvements. Working together, we can create a fairer, more effective education system for all.
NFER has been helping teachers and policy makers to benefit from robust assessments for over 75 years. The Centre for Assessment (CfA) is a centre of excellence for assessment and home to a team of around 30 people, including those with backgrounds in teaching, psychology and measurement.
CfA is one of four specialist centres that along with the project coordination team form the Research Department.
The other three are:
CfA members work closely with colleagues across NFER, notably psychometricians in CfS and those in the Research and Product Operations, IT and Sales, Marketing and Impact Departments.
Our approach includes research into what works in assessment; developing robust assessments underpinned by the highest measurement and psychometric standards; analysing assessment outcomes; and sharing insights with teachers, schools and governments.
The centre also develops a number of numeracy and literacy products widely used by schools across the UK. The Director of Communications has lead responsibility for NFER’s educational products suite, working closely with the Deputy Director of Assessment to maintain its standards, utility and quality.
A majority of the CfA effort is directed at securing and delivering externally funded projects.
As part of our commitment to demonstrating our impact, we publish an annual impact review which highlights the ways in which our activities have contributed to understanding and improving education. Our most recent impact review (NFER Impact – NFER) provides a summary of how our activities support and inform an increasingly wide group of practitioners and policymakers.
Every one of us contributes to NFER culture through our everyday interactions and behaviours. Our values guide our behaviours in all our interactions with our colleagues, partners and stakeholders. They provide the framework for how we approach and conduct our work.
Role Title: Deputy Director of Assessment
Department: Research
Grade: 9
Reports to: Director of Research Location: Hybrid/Slough Office
Hybrid Model: Home Flexible
Budget/Revenue Responsibility: Accountable for the Assessment Services Income Target and the Centre for Assessment budget
Line Manager: Centre for Assessment and wider responsibilities across NFER
Wider senior leadership responsibilities: The Deputy Director of Assessment is a member of NFER’s Leadership Forum and the Research Department Senior Leadership Team (RDSLT). The post holder will also work with and lead cross-project and cross-departmental teams across NFER.
NFER’s resources structure includes roles spanning 9 grades and the Senior Management Team.
The Senior Management Team comprises five Director-level roles: the Director of Research, Director of Operations, Director of Communications, Chief Finance Officer and Chief Digital Officer. These five post holders report to the Chief Executive Officer and through her to the Board of Trustees.
Reporting to the SMT are our Grade 9 post-holders senior leaders who typically head a business function or area of specialist knowledge, and who are accountable for achievements within key business segments and their associated targets and strategies. In NFER terminology, these Grade 9 roles are often titled as “Heads of” or occasionally “Director of” a specialist programme. The “Head of” title occasionally is used for G8-level roles in which the post holder provides a specialist service or manages a specialist team or set of responsibilities within a broader area. These G8 post holders typically report to a Grade 9 “Head of” post.
The Deputy Director of Assessment is a Grade 9 senior leadership role. We have titled the role a Deputy Director of Assessment to convey the seniority of the role and its accountability to people external to NFER.
The job title additionally reflects the breadth of its accountability. Whilst the post holder primarily reports to the Director of Research they will also liaise directly with the Director of Communications in support of the development and delivery of the products portfolio, and will work closely with the Chief Digital Officer and Director of Operations to achieve their business objectives.
Our Mission is to improve outcomes for future generations everywhere and support positive change across education systems.
High quality assessment underpins effective educational decision making and improved outcomes for children and young people. Drawing on NFER’s established expertise in this field, the post holder is responsible for driving the growth and sustainability of NFER’s assessment portfolio through income generation, business development and strategic partnerships in the UK and internationally.
The role directs the evolution and delivery of NFER’s assessment strategy, developing and securing new project opportunities, ensuring their successful delivery to meet client and partner needs and promoting the use of high-quality assessment data in educational delivery making.
The post holder works closely with teams across NFER and with partners, to support our assessment Product Strategy and to strengthen our assessment offers, including through the effective use of research, technology, and AI, and maintenance of rigorous assessment standards.
Secure revenue and deliver annual income targets
Deliver assessment services that fulfil client needs
Direct and evolve our Assessment Strategy
Liaise and collaborate with NFER teams and partners to maintain standards and strengthen our assessment offers
Increase awareness of the value of assessment NFER’s visibility, and our expertise
Leadership
Please note that the post holder may be required to undertake additional duties as required.
All of the following criteria are considered essential unless otherwise noted.
Knowledge
Experience
Skills
Aligned with Our Values:
Our commitment to equality and diversity
At every stage of the application process, we are committed to supporting you by making reasonable adjustments to help you prepare and perform at your best when we meet. Here are some of the ways we can assist:
If you are unsure what adjustments would be beneficial for you, you can also talk to us at any stage. Please feel free to email us at HR@nfer.ac.uk with any requests or questions.
NFER is committed to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of all our staff. That’s why we’ve taken the Mental Health at Work Commitment and are currently delivering a programme of activities to ensure that everyone can have open and honest conversations about their wellbeing in the workplace and feel supported.
We encourage applications from persons with experience of poor mental health and are committed to supporting our employees to fulfil their potential and perform at their best in work.
Safeguarding and pre-employment checks
NFER is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our workforce and those who come into contact with us. In doing so, we undertake a number of pre-employment checks, these include:
If you have a past conviction this does not automatically disqualify you from employment with NFER. We are committed to making fair and unbiased decisions, taking into account the nature of the offence, its relevance to the position you are applying for, and the time that has elapsed since the offence occurred.
We believe in giving all candidates a fair chance and will consider each application on an individual basis. If you have any concerns or would like to discuss your personal circumstances in confidence, please do not hesitate to contact us.
For more information and to view our Recruitment of People with Criminal Records please visit our Current vacancies on our website, NFER.ac.uk.
Our hybrid policy
Our main office is set on five acres of green space on the outskirts of Slough. Your office location will be determined by where your team is based or where you live. If you thrive in the hustle and bustle of an office environment, we have a desk ready for you. For roles with flexibility, you also have the option to work from home, wherever you are in the UK.
Collaboration is a core value for us, so we prioritise opportunities to connect. As well as your team meetings, twice a year, we all come together at our main office in Slough for two key events: MereFest and the Winter Social. These gatherings are a great way to build relationships and strengthen our team spirit.
The Deputy Director of Assessment role has been assigned the Home Flexible workstyle. The team led by the post holder regularly works from NFER’s office in Slough, usually coming together at least once a month.
Further benefits
Anderson Quigley is acting as an advisor to NFER , an executive search process is being carried out by Anderson Quigley in addition to the public advertisement.
The closing date for applications is 4 July 2026.
Applications should consist of:
For a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Anderson Quigley: Helene Usherwood at helene.usherwood@andersonquigley.com or +44 (0)7719 322 669 and Elyse Turner-Pearce at elyse.turner-pearce@andersonquigley.com or +44 (0)7808 648 559.
| Closing date | 04 July 2026 |
| Longlist meeting | 15 July 2026 |
| Preliminary interviews with AQ (via Teams) | w/c 20 July 2026 |
| Shortlist meeting | 27 July 2026 |
| Final interviews at NFER's offices | 03 August 2026 |
www.nfer.ac.uk 