Quality Assurance Manager – Public Sector Estates

Location: Leatherhead or Swindon – hybrid working
Contract: 6–9 months
IR35: Outside IR35, subject to assessment
Start: ASAP
Security: BPSS, with additional client clearance to be obtained
Sector: Public Sector / Estates / Facilities Management

We are looking for an experienced Quality Assurance Manager / Quality Lead to support the mobilisation of a major public-sector estates contract.

This is a specialist Quality Management role rather than an IT quality, PMO or general governance position.

The successful candidate will take ownership of establishing and embedding a robust Quality Management System (QMS) across a complex multi-supplier environment, ensuring that internal teams, facilities management providers and wider supply-chain partners are operating to the required standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement and maintain the contract-level Quality Management System

• Establish quality processes and controls across internal teams and multiple supply-chain organisations

• Develop and manage internal and supplier audit programmes

• Ensure services are being delivered in line with agreed quality standards, procedures and contractual requirements

• Identify and manage non-conformities, corrective actions and areas for improvement

• Undertake root-cause analysis and ensure actions are driven through to effective closure

• Maintain appropriate quality documentation, audit records and evidence

• Support mobilisation and readiness activity, ensuring quality controls are embedded from the outset

• Provide independent quality assurance and constructive challenge to delivery teams and suppliers

• Support external audits, client assurance reviews and compliance activity

• Develop quality reporting and provide clear updates to senior stakeholders

• Support the implementation of business continuity and operational resilience arrangements across different service areas

• Promote a culture of quality, accountability and continuous improvement

Essential Experience

We are looking for someone with strong, demonstrable experience in Quality Management / Quality Assurance, including:

• Strong practical knowledge of ISO 9001

• Experience developing, implementing and owning a QMS

• Significant internal audit experience

• Experience auditing suppliers, subcontractors or complex supply chains

• Strong understanding of non-conformance management, corrective action and root-cause analysis

• Experience working within complex operational, outsourced or multi-supplier environments

• Experience supporting the mobilisation or transition of a new contract or service

• Ability to translate standards and contractual requirements into practical quality controls

• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills

• Recognised Quality Management / Audit qualifications

Desirable Experience

Experience within one or more of the following would be particularly relevant:

• Public Sector / Central Government

• Estates or Facilities Management

• Infrastructure

• Property / Built Environment

• Defence or secure environments

• Large outsourced service contracts

• Highly regulated operational environments

Experience of Business Continuity / Disaster Recovery, particularly from an operational and people/process perspective, would also be beneficial.

Qualifications

Relevant qualifications may include:

• ISO 9001 Internal Auditor

• ISO 9001 Lead Auditor

• CQI / IRCA qualifications

• Other recognised Quality Management qualifications or professional memberships

Working Arrangements

This is a hybrid role, with an expectation of approximately 2 days per week on site, with some weeks requiring 3 days depending on project requirements.

Candidates can be based from either Leatherhead or Swindon, with occasional travel to other UK sites where required.

This role would not be suitable for someone seeking a fully remote assignment.

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