Deputy Head of Exam Operations (Fixed Term)

Fixed Term until 31 July 2028 in the first instance.

The Team

The Exam Operations team sit within the Student Administration section of Education Services, supporting the academic purposes of the University, and provides expert administrative support and advice to the University and Colleges relating to operational delivery of exams and reasonable adjustments for undergraduate and taught postgraduate courses. It also manages the administration of mitigating circumstances and allowances for undergraduate and postgraduate students.

The Role

This role has responsibility for managing the operational activities related to the delivery of the examination and assessment service. This includes all operational activity from preparation of course information for student enrolment through to running examinations and publishing examination results to students. It is the responsibility of this role holder to ensure that the service is delivered on time, accurately, within agreed policy and effectively to a high standard.

The role is also responsible for developing, implementing and embedding changes to modes of assessment and improvements to current processes. They are required to monitor, support, and implement changes to policy and processes, whilst continuing to deliver the existing services to stakeholders during any changes. The role will oversee consistency with decision making and ensuring a high quality, efficient and co-ordinated service is delivered to all stakeholders.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead and manage the operational delivery of examinations
• Line managing a team of administrators
• Providing authoritative information and advice on the interpretation and application of university regulations.
• Recruitment, allocation of and communication with casual staff supporting delivery of exams.
• Supporting the Head in developing, implementing and embedding changes and improvements to current processes in the team through training and procedures. This includes supporting stakeholders in the implementation of changes to policy and processes.

We invite applications from individuals who:

• have excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• have the ability to work collaboratively as well as independently;
• are motivated and takes initiative;
• are highly flexible and pro-active in approach;
• are quick and comfortable to adapt to change;
• have strong organisational skills and multi-tasking ability;

The Exams team is part of the Student Administration Service within Education Services; exceptionally you may be required to work on other tasks within Education Services if there is a change in priorities.

Given the demands of the examination cycle, the role requires a flexible approach to working patterns and the ability to adjust priorities when needed. Whilst the Exam Team is supportive of hybrid working, there are periods of time where in office working is non-negotiable. The role holder will be mainly office based during their initial 6-month probation period and for the exam round from April-June.  During this time there will also be some Saturday, evening and Bank Holiday working.

Additional information can be found within the Further Particulars. When applying please upload your CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for the role and how you meet the essential criteria set out in the Person Specification. Candidates will be shortlisted and invited to interview based upon these criteria.

Informal enquiries can be directed by email to jenny.green@admin.cam.ac.uk

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click the 'Apply' button above. 

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

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