Head of Exams

Vacancy details

Salary: £52,442
Reference No.: SR2248
Campus: Cross Campus
Hours: 37 hrs / week|52 weeks / year
Contract: Permanent

Job Details

We are seeking an experienced and highly organised Head of Exams to lead and develop the College’s examinations service. This is a key management role responsible for ensuring the effective, compliant and high-quality delivery of all internal and external examinations and assessments.

Working closely with the Head of MIS and wider College teams, you will provide strategic oversight of examinations operations, lead continuous improvement initiatives, and ensure compliance with JCQ regulations and awarding body requirements. You will manage and support the Exams Officer and examinations team, driving excellence in service delivery, quality assurance and risk management.

The assessment centre date for this role will be week commencing 24th August 2026.

Duties and responsibilities

Leading and developing the College’s examinations function and team.
Ensuring compliance with JCQ, awarding body and College regulations.
Overseeing quality assurance, audits, risk management and business continuity planning.
Managing examination-related reporting, analysis and stakeholder engagement.
Driving service improvements through digital systems and operational enhancements.
Ensuring effective coordination of access arrangements and learner support.

The right candidate will have:

Essential:

Significant experience of examinations leadership within FE or a similar environment
Strong working knowledge of JCQ and awarding organisation regulations
Experience overseeing operational compliance and quality assurance within an exams environment
Experience leading or supervising staff teams
Experience of using MIS and examination systems
Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage risk and compliance effectively
Ability to analyse operational performance and implement improvements

Desirable:

Relevant management qualification or examinations administration qualification
Experience managing examinations services across multiple sites
Knowledge of learner information systems such a REMS or similar platforms
Experience of service redesign, digital process improvement or operational transformation

Why choose us?

Our strategy is to create a Career Focused, Digital Learning environment, ensuring that the learner experience and our relationship within our community, local and regional employers, are at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to be selected as finalists for the AoC Beacon awards for effective use of digital Technology in FE. Providing a high achieving, focused learning environment allowing our students to achieve the grades they need for higher educations, or the skills and aptitude required to secure a suitable role in their chosen career. Our college is set in the leafy suburbs of Essex, with easy access to surrounding areas and amenities, we are based in a well-connected location both by road and rail.

What we offer:

A dedicated and friendly team of professionals who are keen to develop and learn
Excellent pension provision
Annual Staff Awards
CPD days - opportunities to grow and development through mentorship and coaching
Free onsite parking
Staff appreciation days
Eye care vouchers
Onsite Starbucks & Restaurant
Well-being days & activities
Electric Vehicle Scheme*
Discounted gym membership
Hybrid Working available
Fully immersive teaching rooms allow simultaneous online teaching at multiple locations
Free Employee Assistance Programme available 24/7, 365 days offering legal & financial advice, as well as general support & guidance
* subject to terms & conditions