Head of Exams
Position Start Date: 01/10/2026
Contract Type: Full-time
Contract Term: Permanent
Application Close: 12/08/2026 Midnight
Date of Interviews: W/C 24/08/2026
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 Examinations 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:
- 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
- Experience managing examinations services across multiple sites
- Knowledge of learner information systems such as 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 education, 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, and 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
- Annual Staff Awards
- CPD days – opportunities to grow and develop through mentorship and coaching
- Free onsite parking
- Staff appreciation days
- Onsite Starbucks & Restaurant
- 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
All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.
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