Exams Officer

GEMS WELLINGTON ACADEMY - AL KHAIL; Dubai; On-site; AED 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

GEMS Wellington Academy Dubai Hills is seeking an experienced Exams Officer to oversee administration and coordination of internal and external examinations, ensuring compliance with awarding bodies and KHDA regulations.

The role leads exam entries, timetabling, invigilation, data management, and reporting, building dashboards and ensuring readiness for KHDA/BSO inspections across standards. You will liaise with parents, university guidance teams and GEMS central teams.

Qualifications

• Degree in education, leadership, or data-related field preferred.
• Significant experience with exams under UK awarding bodies and JCQ regulations.
• Strong KHDA knowledge and data governance experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and delivery of external and internal examinations.
• Ensure compliance with Pearson Edexcel, Cambridge, Oxford AQA and AQA.
• Oversee exam entries, timetabling, invigilation standards, and access arrangements.
• Lead results day, EARs, appeals, and certification processes.
• Maintain KHDA inspection readiness and data narratives.
• Develop and implement a whole-school data strategy aligned with KHDA.
• Produce dashboards and reports for SLT, KHDA, and GEMS central teams.
• Line-manage Exams Officers and Data/Assessment teams; deliver training.

Skills

Advanced data analysis

Leadership

Attention to detail

Strategic & operational

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Job description

GEMS Wellington Academy Dubai Hills is looking for an experienced Exams Officer to join our team. The successful candidate will be responsible for the effective and efficient administration and coordination of all internal and external examinations, ensuring that the school remains fully compliant with examination board regulations and procedures.

Examination Leadership

• Lead planning and delivery of all external and internal examinations in the Prep and Senior School.
• Ensure compliance with awarding bodies such as Pearson Edexcel, Cambridge Assessment International Education, Oxford AQA and AQA.
• Act as the Head of Centre (or delegated lead) in line with regulations and GEMS policies.
• Oversee:
  • Exam entries and registrations
  • Timetabling and logistics
  • Invigilation standards and training
  • Access arrangements (SEN/EAL compliance)
  • Secure storage and handling of exam materials
• Lead results day and post-results services (EARs, appeals, certifications).
• Ensure all exam processes meet KHDA inspection expectations, including transparency, fairness, and student safeguarding.
• Raise the profile of the school as a centre for private candidates.

Data Strategy & KHDA Alignment

• In collaboration with the Deputy Head Assessment, develop and implement a whole-school data strategy aligned with KHDA inspection frameworks and GEMS performance standards.
• Oversee MIS platforms to ensure data accuracy, integrity and efficiency.
• Lead the design of assessment cycles, tracking systems, and reporting frameworks.
• Produce high-quality data dashboards and reports for:
  • Senior Leadership Team
  • GEMS corporate leadership
  • KHDA inspections
• Ensure alignment with KHDA performance indicators (attainment, progress, wellbeing, inclusion) and association data requirements such as BSO.

nspection Readiness & Compliance (KHDA Focus)

• Lead data and exams readiness for KHDA inspections and British Schools Overseas (BSO) inspections.
• Maintain inspection-ready documentation, including:
  • Assessment policies
  • Data reports and impact analysis
  • Exam compliance records
• Conduct internal audits to ensure:
  • Accuracy of reported attainment and progress
  • Alignment between internal data and external exam outcomes
• Support the school in achieving high-level inspection ratings through robust evidence and data narratives.

Strategic Leadership

• In line with the School Improvement Plan, drive a data-informed culture embedding accountability and performance tracking.
• Line-manage Exams Officers and Data/Assessment teams.
• Deliver training for middle and senior leaders and GEMS Wellington Academy School staff on external, internal examinations policies and procedures.
• Deliver training for Examinations Office staff in the Wellington Cluster and wider GEMS network as required.
• Contribute to the School Improvement Plan.
• Benchmark performance against:
  • GEMS network schools
  • UK national standards
  • International British schools

Stakeholder Engagement

• Communicate effectively with parents regarding:
  • Exam processes and regulations
  • Results and performance analysis
• Support university guidance teams with accurate predicted grades and transcripts.
• Liaise with KHDA, awarding bodies, and GEMS central teams as required.
• Provide clear guidance to students on exam expectations and academic pathways.
• To present to the Local Advisory Board and Gems Corporate Office as required.

Cover

To assist with cover and invigilation across the school.

Reports

Ensuring the system for producing reports is effective and efficient providing parents with regular and informative information on pupils’ academic progress and personal qualities and contributions.

Attendance

To ensure that the reporting and recording of attendance is accurate and in line with School, GEMS Education and KHDA Policies.

Skills

Skills / Person Specification

• Advanced data analysis and interpretation (Excel, dashboards, Power BI desirable).
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• High attention to detail and compliance.
• Ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels.
• Excellent communication skills with diverse stakeholders.

Qualifications / Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred in Education, Leadership, or Data-related field).
• Significant experience in a British curriculum school, preferably within the UAE or GCC.
• Proven experience managing exams under UK awarding bodies and JCQ regulations.
• Strong understanding of KHDA inspection frameworks and expectations.
• Experience within a school or similar large school group (desirable).