Tina Isaacs began her professional career teaching university level history after receiving her doctorate in 18th century British history from the University of Rochester (New York) in 1980. In 1990, after earning her post-graduate certificate in secondary education, Tina joined the National Center on Education and the Economy (Rochester, New York), doing education policy research and development in the fields of curriculum and assessment.

Upon moving to England in 1994, Tina joined the National Council for Vocational Qualifications (NCVQ), which in 1997 became the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA).  She started out as General National Vocational Qualification (GNVQ) health and social care adviser and subsequently managed five GNVQ subjects. From 1996 – 1999 she ran a GNVQ pilot and from 1997 – 1999 an AS level pilot. In 1999 her main responsibilities shifted from vocationally related to general qualifications, taking on responsibility for General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE), A levels and Advanced Extension Awards (AEA).  She was seconded to the reviews that QCA produced on Curriculum 2000 during 2001-2002. She then led the Arts and Humanities, the Assessment Development and Secondary Curriculum (Key Stage 3 Review), Curriculum Standards and 14-19 Policy teams. She joined the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) as Head of 14-19 Regulation in June 2007. 

Tina returned to higher education in November 2009, taking a post at the Institute of Education, University of London. She is Programme Director for the MA in Educational Assessment, a Director at the Institute’s Centre for Post-14 Research and Innovation and Faculty Director for Consultancy and Knowledge Transfer.