Full time - Exam Team Leader

Oaklands College; St Albans; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local government Pension Scheme

CPD opportunities

Free onsite parking

Gym access

Cycle to Work

Eye Care Vouchers

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Oaklands College is seeking an Exams Team Leader to support the Exams and Achievement Manager in delivering examinations and achievement services across the College.

You will coordinate day-to-day examinations operations, manage staff and invigilators, and ensure compliance with awarding bodies and regulatory requirements while driving process improvements and performance objectives.

Qualifications

• Significant exams administration experience in FE/sixth form/school environments.
• Experience coordinating public examinations and assessments.
• Experience with awarding body regulations and examination procedures.
• Experience maintaining student records and examination systems.
• Experience supporting staff, students and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate examination timetables, rooming, access arrangements and invigilation schedules.
• Support processing of examination entries, amendments, withdrawals, registrations and certification claims.
• Ensure examination results and achievement data are recorded in the College student information systems.
• Deputise for the Exams and Achievement Manager during periods of absence.
• Support JCQ regulations, awarding body audits and quality reviews.

Skills

Examinations administration

Staff coordination

Invigilator management

Data management

Education

Level 3 qualification or equivalent

GCSE English & Maths

Tools

Student information systems

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen at Oaklands for an Exams Team Leader to support the Exams and Achievement Manager in the effective delivery of examinations and achievement services across the College.

The postholder will coordinate the day-to-day operation of the examinations function, support the management of examinations staff and invigilators, ensure compliance with awarding body and regulatory requirements and deputise for the Exams and Achievement Manager as required. The role will contribute to the continuous improvement of examinations processes and support the achievement of College performance objectives.

Your Day to Day Impact

Operational Delivery

• Support the planning, coordination and delivery of all public examinations, assessments and achievement processes across the College.

• Coordinate examination timetables, rooming, access arrangements and invigilation schedules.

• Support the accurate and timely processing of examination entries, amendments, withdrawals, registrations and certification claims.

• Ensure examination results and achievement data are accurately recorded and maintained on the College's student information systems.

• Coordinate arrangements for major examination series, including GCSE, Functional Skills, A Levels and vocational qualifications.

• Support the timely distribution of results and examination certificates.

Team Coordination and Support

• Provide day-to-day operational guidance and support to examinations staff.

• Support the Exams and Achievement Manager in allocating workloads and prioritising activities during peak examination periods.

• Assist with induction, training and development activities for examinations staff and invigilators.

• Support the coordination and deployment of invigilators to ensure adequate resourcing for all examination sessions.

• Deputise for the Exams and Achievement Manager during periods of absence.

Compliance and Quality Assurance

• Support compliance with JCQ regulations, awarding body requirements and College policies.

• Coordinate preparations for JCQ inspections, awarding body audits and quality reviews.

• Support investigations relating to malpractice, maladministration, special considerations and appeals.

• Assist in maintaining and reviewing examinations policies, procedures and operational guidance documents.

• Contribute to the identification and implementation of service improvements to enhance efficiency and compliance.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a key operational contact for curriculum teams regarding examination entries, assessments, achievement recording and examination arrangements.

• Provide guidance and support to staff regarding awarding body regulations and examination procedures.

• Liaise with awarding bodies regarding examination administration, registrations, results and certification matters.

• Work collaboratively with Estates, Learning Support, MIS and curriculum teams to support effective examination delivery.

• Respond to complex enquiries from students, staff, parents and external organisations as required.

Data Management and Reporting

• Support the maintenance, accuracy and integrity of examination and achievement data.

• Produce routine reports relating to examination entries, achievements, results and certification.

• Assist the Exams and Achievement Manager in analysing performance data and identifying trends and areas for improvement.

• Support audit, funding and compliance activities through the provision of accurate examination and achievement information.

• Monitor key operational deadlines and ensure actions are completed within awarding body timescales.

Financial and Resource Support

• Assist the Exams and Achievement Manager with monitoring examination-related expenditure.

• Support the maintenance of examination fee and qualification cost information.

• Contribute to identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and value for money within examinations processes.

• Support the effective utilisation of examination accommodation, staffing and other resources.

General Responsibilities

• Comply with all College policies and procedures, including safeguarding, health and safety, equality, diversity and inclusion, data protection and risk management requirements.

• Participate in training, professional development and continuous improvement activities.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of awarding body regulations, qualification frameworks and sector developments.

• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of the post.

Is This You?

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to Level 3 or above, or equivalent relevant experience.

• GCSE English and Mathematics at Grade C/4 or above (or equivalent).

• Evidence of ongoing professional development.

Desirable

• Degree or professional qualification in business administration, education administration or management.

• Relevant examinations or assessment qualification.

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience working within examinations administration in a Further Education, Sixth Form or school environment.

• Experience coordinating public examinations and assessments.

• Experience working with awarding body regulations and examination procedures.

• Experience maintaining student records and examination systems.

• Experience supporting staff, students and external stakeholders.

Desirable

• Experience supervising or coordinating staff or invigilators.

• Experience deputising for a manager.

• Experience supporting inspections, audits or compliance reviews.

• Experience producing management information and performance reports.

Knowledge

Essential

• Good knowledge of JCQ regulations and awarding body requirements.

• Understanding of post-16 qualifications and assessment processes.

• Understanding of examination timetabling, entries, results and certification processes.

• Knowledge of student information systems and examination management systems.

Desirable

• Understanding of funding, performance measures and achievement reporting within Further Education.

Skills and Competencies

Essential

• Excellent organisational and planning skills.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to coordinate multiple activities and meet deadlines.

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.

• Ability to analyse information and identify solutions to operational issues.

• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications and student information systems.

• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues across the College.

• Ability to work independently and use initiative when required.

Personal Attributes

• Customer focused and student centred.

• Professional and approachable.

• Resilient and calm under pressure.

• Collaborative and supportive.

• Flexible and adaptable.

• Committed to continuous improvement and high standards of service delivery.

Your Future Starts at Oaklands

At Oaklands, we value our people and are committed to supporting your wellbeing, professional growth, and long-term success. When you join our team, you'll become part of a forward-thinking college that champions innovation, collaboration, and learner-centred education.

Here’s what you can look forward to:

• Local government Pension Scheme with excellent employer contributions.

• Continuous Professional Development, including free access to Adult Community Learning courses and staff training opportunities.

• Free onsite permit parking.

• Access to our onsite gym and discounted wellness treatments.

• Cycle to Work Scheme and discounted travel through the UNO Bus Scheme.

• Eye Care Vouchers, supporting your health while working with screens.

• Employee Assistance Programme, providing confidential advice and support.

• Mental Health & Wellbeing Support, including trained Mental Health Peer Supporters.

• Staff Development Days & Awards, celebrating your achievements and recognising your impact.

Be aware of and follow College policies and procedures, with particular attention to Health and Safety, Safeguarding, Prevent, Wellbeing, Risk Management, Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity, Quality, Cyber Security and our Values and Behaviours

Oaklands College is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and we actively welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and stakeholders to share this commitment.