The vacancy
Associate Director (Examinations)
Student Information Services
Salary: Band 6 – £44,050 to £48,126
Contract: Permanent, full time
Location: Across College Group campuses
Reporting to: Director of Student Information Services
A senior leadership opportunity in examinations and assessment
We are seeking an experienced examinations professional and strategic leader to join our Student Information Services team as Associate Director (Examinations). This is a key leadership role with responsibility for ensuring the integrity, compliance and continuous improvement of examinations and assessment activity across the College Group.
If you are currently leading examinations — and are ready for your next senior step — this role offers the chance to shape strategy, influence senior decision‑making and make a tangible difference to student success.
The role
As Associate Director (Examinations), you will lead the strategic and operational delivery of all examinations and related assessment processes, ensuring full compliance with JCQ and awarding organisation requirements while maintaining an excellent experience for students and staff.
You will provide strong, visible leadership to multi‑campus teams, oversee complex examination cycles, manage risk and assurance, and play a key role in improving systems, processes and data quality. Working closely with curriculum leaders, senior managers and external stakeholders, you will help ensure that examinations activity supports educational delivery and organisational priorities.
This role also includes deputising for the Director of Student Information Services when required and representing the department internally and externally.
Key responsibilities include:
1. Strategic leadership and operational oversight of all internal, external, online and off‑site examinations
2. Ensuring full compliance with JCQ, awarding body and legislative requirements
3. Line management and development of Exams Team Leaders and their teams
4. Planning and delivery of examination timetables, invigilation, access arrangements and results days
5. Acting as the senior point of contact for examinations advice, guidance and issue resolution
6. Leading service improvement, process review and automation to improve efficiency and resilience
7. Producing accurate, timely performance reports for senior leaders and governance
8. Supporting inspections, audits, Ofsted, OfS and JCQ visits
9. Managing delegated budgets and resources effectively
About you
You will be an experienced, confident leader with a strong professional background in examinations within an education setting. You will combine excellent regulatory knowledge with the ability to lead people, manage complexity and drive improvement.
Essential criteria:
10. Extensive, up‑to‑date knowledge of JCQ and awarding organisation regulations
11. Proven experience leading and developing teams in a high‑pressure, deadline‑driven environment
12. Significant experience in examinations administration or student data management
13. Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret and report complex information
14. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
15. High levels of accuracy, organisation and attention to detail
16. A values‑driven, student‑focused approach to service delivery
Desirable:
17. Degree or higher qualification in a relevant discipline
18. Experience using student information systems (e.g. ProSolution)
19. Experience contributing to strategic planning or organisational change
Why join us?
20. A genuinely senior role with influence across the organisation
21. The opportunity to lead improvement, transformation and innovation
22. A supportive, values‑led culture focused on partnership and professionalism
23. Commitment to leadership development and continuous professional growth
24. The chance to make a real difference to student outcomes
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and to safeguarding the wellbeing of our staff and students. Some flexibility of working hours will be required during peak examination periods.
Please see the job description for further information.
How to apply
Please apply in line with the guidance provided. Selection may include an assessment activity and interview
About us
Here at Doncaster College and University Centre we understand that choosing what to do next can be a huge decision. It’s not just about the course you choose to study, it is about the tutors, the experiences and the friends you meet along the way.
We have over 120 courses at full and part-time, from entry level right up to university level. As well as the vast amount of courses on offer, we ensure all our students get the right support and guidance whether it is through our careers service, our additional learning support, counselling, student finance and many other services all tailored to each individual.
Our exciting and modern campus is in a central location, packed with workspaces designed to industry standard. We work directly with employers allowing you real work experience and industry insight that you will not get from sitting behind a desk.
The benefits
All employees at DN Colleges Group enjoy a generous annual leave allowance, as well as an additional 2 weeks closure over the Christmas period. We encourage all our teams to take regular breaks, no longer than 3 weeks, to enjoy a healthy work life balance.
DN Colleges Group are committed to Health and Wellbeing of all our employees. We have an increasing number of provisions exclusive to our employees, designed to help you stay at your best or to assist and provide support when you need it.
Health and fitness suite
Generous annual leave
2 weeks off at Christmas
Electric car scheme
25. Vivup – Employee Wellbeing and Benefits platform
26. Wellness initiatives, onsite during your working week. This could include health visitors, financial advisers, or physio specialists.
27. Onsite fitness classes, at lunchtime or after work in conjunction with our Sports colleagues.
28. Cycle to Work and Electric car scheme
29. Free Eye Care Vouchers
30. Discounted Hair and Beauty services
31. On site nursery
32. Online access to Remploy which is our 24/7 confidential mental health and counselling resource.
33. In house counselling/safeguarding specialists to assist in Wellbeing
Lets Teach Programme
Let’s Teach The LET’s teach programme supports new members of teaching staff in terms of college systems and key teaching and learning areas including new staff lesson visits and postcard peeps. Each new member of staff has an allocated Lead Practitioner who works closely with them throughout the programme.
Let’s Bloom
The LET’s Bloom Programme aims to connect our experienced and qualified teachers to share best practice and support continued risk-taking as we continue to add depth to our teaching craft. Teachers volunteer on this one year programme, working closely with the Learning Enhancement Team, capturing their experimentation in a journal.