Head of Exams

Dovetail and Slate; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Dovetail and Slate is recruiting a Head of Exams to lead a nationwide examinations service, ensuring compliant and high‑quality delivery across centres. You will oversee scheduling, centre operations and candidate experience while expanding national coverage.

The role requires senior operational leadership, budgeting and strong governance of JCQ regulations, with a commitment to inclusive support for neurodivergent learners and safeguarding across the service.

Qualifications

• Five years' experience in examinations or qualifications.
• Five years' management experience, including leading teams and complex service delivery.
• Experience managing operations across multiple sites or locations.
• Strong knowledge of examination regulations, compliance and examination processes.
• Experience managing budgets, forecasting and cost control.
• Track record of establishing, developing or expanding operational services.
• Experience identifying and managing operational risks.
• Strong analytical, organisational and communication skills.
• Confidence managing senior stakeholders and external partners.
• Excellent written communication skills and proficiency in Microsoft 365.
• Commitment to inclusion, equity and providing appropriate support for neurodivergent learners.
• Experience within SEND or specialist education is desirable, but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operation and development of examination services across multiple locations.
• Manage, motivate and develop examination centre teams, including centre and subject leads.
• Oversee examination planning, scheduling, logistics and delivery.
• Ensure compliance with JCQ requirements, examination regulations, relevant legislation and internal policies.
• Oversee reasonable adjustments to ensure candidates receive appropriate support during examinations.
• Manage appeals, misconduct investigations and examination-related issues fairly and consistently.
• Maintain oversight of operational risks, policies, procedures, databases and record keeping.
• Manage budgets, forecasting and expenditure in collaboration with finance colleagues.
• Analyse examination data, candidate numbers and results to inform operational decisions.
• Build strong relationships with awarding bodies, suppliers, delivery partners and other stakeholders.
• Lead the establishment of new examination centres and support the national expansion of the service.
• Promote continuous improvement, staff development and an excellent candidate experience.
• Take responsibility for safeguarding within the examination service.

Skills

People management

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Microsoft 365

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

Head of Exams

Location: Nationwide – office-based with national travel

Contract: Permanent, full-time

Salary: £60,000 per annum

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday–Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm

Sector: Education / Examinations

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and highly organised Head of Exams to lead and develop a specialist examinations service designed to provide inclusive, supportive exam environments for neurodivergent learners.

This is a senior operational leadership position with responsibility for the end-to-end delivery of examinations, including scheduling, compliance, centre operations, team management and candidate experience.

You will lead the development and expansion of examination centres nationally, ensuring consistent standards, effective processes and a high-quality service for both internal and external candidates.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operation and development of examination services across multiple locations.
• Manage, motivate and develop examination centre teams, including centre and subject leads.
• Oversee examination planning, scheduling, logistics and delivery.
• Ensure compliance with JCQ requirements, examination regulations, relevant legislation and internal policies.
• Oversee reasonable adjustments to ensure candidates receive appropriate support during examinations.
• Manage appeals, misconduct investigations and examination-related issues fairly and consistently.
• Maintain oversight of operational risks, policies, procedures, databases and record keeping.
• Manage budgets, forecasting and expenditure in collaboration with finance colleagues.
• Analyse examination data, candidate numbers and results to inform operational decisions.
• Build strong relationships with awarding bodies, suppliers, delivery partners and other stakeholders.
• Lead the establishment of new examination centres and support the national expansion of the service.
• Promote continuous improvement, staff development and an excellent candidate experience.
• Take responsibility for safeguarding within the examination service.

The Ideal Candidate

• At least five years' experience working in examinations or qualifications.
• At least five years' management experience, including leading teams and complex service delivery.
• Experience managing operations across multiple sites or locations.
• Strong knowledge of examination regulations, compliance and examination processes.
• Experience managing budgets, forecasting and cost control.
• A track record of establishing, developing or expanding operational services.
• Experience identifying and managing operational risks.
• Strong analytical, organisational and communication skills.
• Confidence managing senior stakeholders and external partners.
• Excellent written communication skills and proficiency in Microsoft 365.
• A commitment to inclusion, equity and providing appropriate support for neurodivergent learners.
• Experience within SEND or specialist education is desirable, but not essential.

Important Notice

We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All appointments are subject to satisfactory vetting, including a right to work check and, where relevant, an enhanced DBS, PVG (Scotland), or EWC (Wales) check, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

We are an equal opportunities employer.