Exams Officer

Role overview

This permanent full-time Exams Officer position is based in Canterbury, Kent, and offers a salary of £30,000 to £35,000. It is suited to an organised, detail-oriented exams professional or education administrator who wants broader responsibility, more variety, and a role with real impact.

You will join a growing education group that supports young people through alternative provision, specialist education, SEND services, and tutoring programmes. The post gives you end-to-end ownership of the examination process while working in a collaborative environment focused on learners.

Key duties

• Take responsibility for the full annual exam cycle, covering GCSEs, vocational qualifications, mock exams, and external assessments.
• Handle candidate registrations, timetable changes, withdrawals, and entry amendments.
• Make sure all work follows JCQ rules and the expectations of awarding bodies.
• Arrange exam papers, room allocations, and all procedures required on exam days.
• Oversee the safe custody, storage, and movement of examination materials.
• Lead the recruitment, training, and coordination of invigilators.
• Work with SEND colleagues and education staff to support access arrangements.
• Manage results days and any follow-up post-results processes.
• Serve as the main liaison for awarding bodies and examination boards.
• Keep records accurate and up to date, including reports and compliance files.

Candidate profile

The ideal applicant will already have experience as an Exams Officer or in a similar education administration role. You should be highly organised, able to plan effectively, and comfortable managing several priorities and deadlines at once.

Strong attention to detail, a high level of accuracy, confident communication, and solid stakeholder management skills are important. You should also be comfortable using IT systems, including Microsoft Office and education-related platforms, and understand confidentiality, safeguarding, and data protection requirements.

Desirable background

It would be an advantage to know JCQ regulations and exam procedures, to have coordinated invigilators or exam teams, to have supported SEND access arrangements, or to have worked in schools, colleges, training providers, or alternative provision settings.

Benefits and working environment

This role offers the chance to work across a varied education group rather than being limited to a single school. You will have a strong degree of autonomy and ownership, along with exposure to SEND, alternative provision, and specialist education settings.

Benefits include 20 days of holiday plus Bank Holidays, life assurance worth 2 times annual salary, and a Health Cash Plan. The organisation also offers the opportunity to contribute to a growing service that aims to make a meaningful difference to young people's lives.

Additional requirements

Appointment will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check and safer recruitment checks.