At AQA, we’re committed to advancing education and we’re committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and it’s our people who make this happen.
Exams Administrator
Fixed Term Contracts (6 or 8 months in duration)
Manchester and Guildford
£23,000 - £24,000
Hybrid Working
Imagine shaping the future of operations while building exceptional customer relationships. Are you ready to bring your organisational skills to a team that thrives on precision and results?
Join AQA as an Exams Administrator and help us set new standards for efficiency and service.
We currently have four fixed-term contract opportunities available: three for six months and one for eight months. As an Exams Administrator (which internally is known as an Associate Administrator), you’ll be at the heart of our operations, managing phone calls and emails from examiners, and ensuring their queries are handled efficiently and professionally. A key part of your role will be managing contract and payment queries, ensuring examiners are supported with accurate and timely information. You’ll also be issuing contracts to meet strict deadlines, playing a vital role in ensuring examinations run smoothly. By maintaining clear records, collaborating with colleagues, and contributing to continuous improvements, you’ll help us deliver exceptional service to both internal and external stakeholders. If you’re ready to take ownership of critical processes and support our transformation journey, this role is for you.
What’s in it for me?
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A purpose-driven role: Help educators and learners achieve their goals.
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Ongoing development: Regular training keeps you ahead of the curve.
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Modern office environment: Enjoy a newly refurbished space with individual and collaborative work areas, a subsidised eatery, games room, yoga room and onsite gym at our Manchester office and subsidised eateries in Guildford.
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Generous time off: 25 days of annual leave, plus Bank Holidays and additional closure days at Christmas.
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Attractive pension scheme: Benefit from up to 18.5% combined contributions.
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Well-being support: Access the Headspace app and employee assistance program.
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Volunteering opportunities: Up to five paid days for volunteering outside of work.
What do I need to be successful?
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Previous experience in an administrative and/or customer service role
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Ability to multitask effectively and work efficiently under tight deadlines.
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Exceptional attention to detail to ensure accuracy in all tasks.
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Excellent customer service skills with the ability to communicate clearly and professionally.
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Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
What do I do next?
Every year we make results happen for millions of people across the UK. To explore how you can be a part of that, upload your most recent CV and cover letter explaining why you are the best person for the job.
Applications close at midnight on Wednesday 1st January. Interviews will be held virtually between 8th – 15th January.
Every application will receive a response.
#CRE23
AQA is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or any other aspect which makes people unique.
We have a preferred supplier list (PSL) in place.
Unsolicited CVs will be treated as a gift. We will not be subject to or liable under your terms and conditions for agency fees.
Recruitment Agencies
We have a preferred supplier list (PSL) in place.
Unsolicited CVs will be treated as a gift. We will not be subject to or liable under your terms and conditions for agency fees.
Full Job Description
Summary
Reporting in to the Resource Coordinator, accountable for providing efficient and comprehensive administrative support to Resource Management meeting challenging deadlines, ensuring a high quality service to meet customer expectations.Key accountabilities
Transformation – Assist in the Operations transformation, through implementing and embedding designated elements of the transformation plan within the department, across people, processes and technology streams.
Values – Exemplify and consistently demonstrate the behaviours and values we wish Operations to be famous for.
Customer service – Build exceptional relationships with our internal and external customers, delivering a best in class service that meets our customers’ needs.
Performance – Drive personal performance, to achieve personal and organisational goals.
Communication – Work with Principal Examiners on the hierarchy of examiners for individual components.
Planning – Invite sufficient and suitably skilled examiners ensuring all scripts are allocated to schedule with no examiner shortages on the examination date based upon the agreed quotas, acting upon requests from colleagues elsewhere to provide additional examiners as and when required.
Reporting – Escalate examiner shortages and any issues relating to appointments.
Administration – Maintain the databases and records for generating management information to enable managers to assess performance of the department’s activities, process payment of examiners’ fees and expenses in accordance with AQA policies.
Driving improvements – Contribute to the team’s performance working across Operations as required improving best practice and processes where appropriate.
Risk management – Maintain a clear overview of risks and escalate appropriately where new risks are identified or existing risks change.
General accountabilities
To comply with all AQA’s policies and other legislative requirements, including but not limited to HSE, Equal Opportunities and ISMS.
Where business needs change, to undertake other responsibilities which are of a commensurate level outside the terms of this role profile.
Knowledge
A/I - Understanding of relevant supply chain best practice
I - Broad understanding of the political, educational and business context within which AQA works
Qualification
A - Educated to degree level or experience in a similar role
Skills
I/P - Skilled in implementing change
A/I/P - Customer focused – able to focus on delivering the best outcome from the customer perspective
I/P - Experience in supporting the successful implementation of process change
A/I/P - Track record in delivering robust and effective departmental plans
I/P - Experienced in supporting the implementation of technology change
A/I/P - Demonstrates attention to detail and accuracy
I/P - Works flexibly as part of a team and to use own initiative to meet objectives
Leadership skills
I/P - Ability to resolve problems and adapt to change
I/P - Maintain constructive links with other teams and work collaboratively to deliver targets
I/P - Receive feedback and learn from mistakes for continuous self-development
Experience
A/I/P - Experience of supporting the successful delivery of business change
A/I/P - Experience of supporting the delivery of new processes
I/P - Experiences of working to tight deadlines
Assessment key (criteria to be assessed at the selection stage)
A – application (it is essential to provide evidence on application for shortlisting purposes)
I - interview
T – test (or work sample)
P – probation
Top Skills
What We Do
At AQA, we’re proud to be the leading provider of accessible qualifications and support services for teachers and students. We set and mark around half of all GCSEs and A-levels taken in the UK every year; we ask the questions that matter, so that every learner can achieve the results they deserve.
Teachers and learners are at the heart of everything we do. As an independent education charity, any money we make is reinvested back into research so that every learner receives fair and inclusive assessment. We’re always here for our teachers and support them through free training, expert guidance and unbeatable resources. As the most chosen awarding body, we have the biggest teaching community too – teachers are in good company with AQA.
The AQA Group also includes Exampro, TQUK, Project Q, AlphaPlus, Grademaker.