Quality and Assurance Manager

82816- Quality and Assurance Manager

This Quality and Assurance Manager will report to the Principal Lawyer and will work within UKPN Services based in our London office. You will be a permanent employee.

You will attract a salary of £73,000 and a bonus of 7.5%. This role can also offer blended working after probationary period (6 months) - 3 days in the office and 2 remote

Close Date: 23rd August 2026

We also provide the following additional benefits

• 25 Days Annual Leave plus bank holidays.
• Private Medical Cover
• Reservist Leave – Additional 18 days full pay and 22 unpaid
• Personal Pension Plan – Personal contribution rates of 4% or 5% (UK Power Networks will make a corresponding contribution of 8% or 10%)
• Tenancy Loan Deposit Scheme, Season Ticket Loan
• Tax efficient benefits: Cycle to Work, Home & Tech, and Green Car Leasing Schemes
• Occupational Health support
• Switched On – scheme providing discount on hundreds of retailers' products
• Discounted gym membership
• Employee Assistance Programme

Job Purpose:

As the Quality and Assurance Manager you will manage and continuously improve the organisation's quality assurance and audit framework, ensuring compliance with ISO standards, regulatory requirements and company procedures through the effective planning, delivery and oversight of internal and external audits, quality reporting, governance activities and quality team performance.

Dimensions:

Your reports: 2 – 4

Principal Accountabilities:

• You will deliver the annual internal audit programme to ensure compliance with company procedures, management system standards, regulatory requirements and customer expectations.
• You will manage the internal audit process, including maintaining internal audit checklists, undertaking audits, reviewing and approving audit reports, ensuring findings are recorded, monitored and closed out within agreed timescales, and maintaining associated audit records and systems.
• You will manage external certification audits by liaising with certification bodies (including maintaining ongoing registrations (including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 55001, ISO 44001, RISQS, NSAR, NERS, Achilles UVDB, Mission Zero), agreeing audit programmes, coordinating audit activities, collating audit evidence and ensuring timely closure of any non-conformances.
• You will maintain and improve the quality management system through the review of procedures, audit checklists, lessons learned processes and quality assurance arrangements.
• You will produce management information and quality performance reports.
• You will conduct the annual management review of the integrated management system, trend analysis of audit findings, lessons learned and assurance metrics, to support business performance.
• You will lead and support Quality Engineers, monitoring performance, providing technical guidance.
• You will deliver effective quality assurance support across projects and long-term contracts.
• You will be our representative during 3rd party, Client and other verification body audits.
• You will provide quality management expertise across the business, including support for tenders, projects, collaborative relationship reviews, quality training and continuous improvement initiatives.
• You will act as UKPN Services' Data Champion, promoting compliance with GDPR requirements and maintaining that quality-related systems, SharePoint registers and business records are accurate and effective.

Nature and Scope:

The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for the implementation, maintenance and continuous improvement of the organisation's quality management system and assurance framework. You will lead the planning and delivery of internal audit programmes, manages external certification activities and provides independent assurance that business processes remain compliant with company, customer and regulatory requirements.

The post holder will determine audit priorities, evaluating compliance, assessing risks and recommending corrective and preventive actions. They expect to challenge non-compliant practices, identify opportunities for improvement and influence managers at all levels of the business to implement sustainable solutions.

You will supervise Quality Engineers and ensuring the quality team delivers assurance support across projects, contracts and operations. The post holder maintains regular contact with senior management, operational teams, external auditors, certification bodies and customers, providing specialist advice on quality management, governance and assurance matters.

An important challenge of you will be balancing the assurance needs of a diverse operational business while maintaining certification compliance, driving continual improvement and ensuring the timely resolution of audit findings and business improvement actions.

Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications and Experience:

Essential

• Chartered Member (MCQI) of the Chartered Quality Institute.
• Educated to degree level in a relevant discipline or able to offer a lesser qualification with a demonstrable track record and experience.
• Extensive experience in quality assurance, quality management systems and auditing within a regulated, engineering, infrastructure, utilities or similar environment.
• Lead auditor qualification.
• Thorough knowledge of ISO management system standards and auditing methodologies.
• Experience of planning, leading and managing internal and external audit programmes.
• Experience supervising, mentoring and developing technical or professional teams.
• Extensive experience of working to the UK Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
• A good all round knowledge of Health, Safety and Environment.
• Analytical and reporting skills, with the ability to identify trends and present findings to senior management.
• Communication, stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Working knowledge of data protection requirements, including GDPR.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and SharePoint-based management systems.
• Full UK driving licence (and use of a car as travelling will be required).

Desirable

• Experience supporting major projects, long-term contracts or operational service environments.
• Experience of working on rail related projects.
• Experience of working with NSAR requirements, ISO 19650 and ISO 19443.
• Experience of tender support and supplier assurance activities.
• Knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies and performance management techniques.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Power Automate process development.

Health & Safety Responsibilities:

Managers and supervisors carry both legal and company responsibilities for ensuring the health and safety of their employees, those under their control and those who might be affected by the work undertaken, i.e. public, visitors and employees of other organisations. This includes briefing individuals working for them and ensuring there is the necessary understanding, competence and application of requirements to work safely and without harming the environment.

Employees will ensure they understand the health and safety risks involved in their work activities and their responsibility to apply the controls needed to manage those risks to acceptable levels. Similarly where work activities can have an adverse impact upon the environment, and where there are legal requirements, employees will understand those impacts and the controls they must ensure are applied.

If in doubt ask!

We’re committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome, valued and able to be themselves. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. If you meet the essential criteria and believe your skills, experience or transferable strengths could make you a great fit for the role, we’d love to hear from you. If you need any adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please let us know and we’ll be happy to help.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Where applicable, this role is subject to safer recruitment processes and robust pre‑employment checks