Administrator - Standardisation Team

• locations
• Manchester

• time type
• Full time

• posted on
• Posted Yesterday

• job requisition id
• R7635

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.

Administrator – Standardisation Team

Permanent

Manchester

£23,300 - £25,400

Hybrid Working

 

Join AQA and help ensure fairness and excellence in assessment

Are you someone who takes pride in getting things right first time?
Do you enjoy supporting others, solving problems and being part of a team that makes a real difference to students and teachers across the country?

At AQA, our Standardisation Administrators play a crucial role in maintaining the quality, consistency and fairness of exam marking — directly supporting the learning journeys of millions of young people.

As part of our friendly, cross‑site Standardisation Team, you’ll help deliver the processes that ensure examiners and moderators apply marks consistently and confidently.

This is a varied role where no two days look the same. In periods of peak activity, there will be a requirement for you to work some weekends and evenings.

You’ll be:

• Supporting examiners and moderators via email, phone and face‑to‑face.

• Helping to deliver remote and in‑person standardisation events.

• Preparing and collating training materials used by examiners nationwide.

• Using our systems and trackers to keep processes running smoothly.

• Building strong relationships with internal colleagues, external suppliers and our associate workforce.

• Contributing to a culture of continuous improvement — spotting opportunities to enhance quality, efficiency and customer experience.

 

What’s in it for you

You’ll be joining a supportive team that values collaboration, flexibility and shared success.

• A supportive hybrid working environment

• A role which can flex to match your skillset - customer focussed or technical based, there is a path for you to follow.

• 25 days annual leave, rising with service, with additional office closure at the end of December

• Private Medical Insurance and a Healthcare Cash Reward Plan

• A great pension offer which could see combined contributions of 18.5%

• Up to four days leave to enable volunteering opportunities

Diversity and inclusion

At AQA, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives and drives better outcomes. Our ED&I strategy ensures that everyone—regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background – is valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We actively promote inclusive language, avoid stereotypes, and strive for representation across all dimensions of diversity. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.

You’ll thrive in this role if:

• You’re organised, proactive and comfortable working in a time‑sensitive, process‑driven environment.

• You have excellent attention to detail and enjoy ensuring high-quality outcomes.

• You communicate clearly — whether that’s in person, in writing or by phone.

• You enjoy helping others and want to work somewhere with a real sense of purpose.

• You’re keen to develop your skills in event support, stakeholder engagement, systems use, and continuous improvement.

You’ll also have the chance to share knowledge, deliver training to seasonal staff, and get involved in shaping processes that directly impact teachers and learners.
AQA offers a culture of trust, flexibility and professional development — somewhere you can truly grow.

How to Apply

If you’re ready to join a team that plays a key role in upholding the quality and integrity of the UK’s assessment system, please apply now and help us deliver a best‑in‑class service to examiners, teachers and learners.

Upload your most recent CV and cover letter to explain how your skills and experience match the job description.

Applications will close at 23:59 on Sunday 22 March with interviews being in the Manchester office in the week beginning 30 March.

All applications will receive a written response.

#CRE23

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

The Standardisation Administrator role is responsible for the delivery of tasks which support standardisation activities for associates and teachers. Our Administrators are key to providing support and driving quality and efficiency throughout the delivery of Standardisation, which is the process that ensures quality and consistency of Marking and Moderation. Standardisation enables accurate and effective Marking, Moderation, and Post-results Reviews and is key in maintaining the parity and confidence in Learners’ results and ensuring we maintain the expectations of teachers and students.

As a team, Standardisation owns the relationship with associates at a key time for building trust; we engage positively with associates and demonstrate the values that underpin the trust that our customers place in AQA. Standardisation Administrators work flexibly and responsibly dealing with stakeholders both face to face and via telephone to ensure that agreed actions and key processes are completed compliantly within given timeframes according to the Team’s Departmental Plan. Our Administrators approach their duties with a high degree of professionalism so that customers and associates have a great experience of AQA at every opportunity.

Standardisation Administrators add value by keeping waste to a minimum and look for opportunities to continuously improve our business operations. They collaborate to drive personal performance, deliver training to share their knowledge and demonstrate AQA values.Landscape:

The Standardisation Team sits within the Standardisation, Marking and Moderation area of the larger Chief Operating Office, which is responsible for managing the development, marking and grading of 3.8 million candidates' examinations across A-Level, GCSE, and other qualifications. We are a cross-site team of around 32 staff with representation in Manchester, Milton Keynes, and Guildford.

The Standardisation Administrator role reports into the Team Leader or the wider Standardisation management team. The role holder will work closely and collaborate with colleagues across the business in Associate Management, Logistics, Assessment, Marking, and Post-results.

Activities:

Delivering customer service in line with our world class service ambition, providing support in-person, via CRM and on the phone.

Facilitate both remote and in-person standardisation events designed to guide examiners and moderators on the use of assessment material to determine an appropriate mark. To qualify the marker’s performance ensuring that marks are always awarded on the same basis as intended.

Producing and collating material to support the training and standardisation of examiners and moderators.

Support the delivery of new processes, in response to reform and technological changes.

Self-motivate and manage tasks, ensuring timely and efficient completion of work.

Supporting and engaging with the culture of continuous improvement across the team and applying it to your work; to drive quality, customer experience and satisfaction levels; removing waste to achieve cost efficiencies.

Use relevant systems, reports and trackers to plan and record delivery and to meet delivery targets and goals.

Responsible for identifying and escalating risks and issues in good time.

Delivering process specific training to seasonal staff, enabling them to effectively support events and handle associate enquiries.

Manage queries which require specialist knowledge for relevant departments to ensure that queries are resolved promptly to a high standard.

Build strong relationships with our external suppliers, internal teams, and our associates to deliver a best-in-class service that meets our customers’ needs.

Represent the Standardisation team by actively engaging in stakeholder meetings

Ensure AQA is safe and legally compliant by applying AQA’s policies and other legislative requirements including but not limited to HSE, Equal Opportunities and ISMS.

To be successful in this role, you will need to know:

How to exemplify the behaviours, values and leadership habits we wish AQA to be famous for, and to inspire seasonal staff and team members through consistently demonstrating these behaviours internally and externally.

Good understanding of Microsoft Office programmes including word, excel, and dynamics CRM. Familiarity with database systems beneficial.

How to complete operational tasks and activities within a time sensitive and regulated environment.

How to check material with speed and accuracy demonstrating strong attention to detail

How to communicate clearly and effectively in person, on the phone and in writing.

Understanding of Continuous improvement models and practices and how best to support the application of these to develop and improve processes.

How to manage your workload to deliver quality outcomes against multiple deadlines.

How to effectively manage a team of seasonal staff, working flexibly and adapting leadership style to get the best performance from team members.

You will need an understanding of the political, educational and business context within which AQA works.

How to support the implementation of change.

How to follow and contribute towards robust, effective departmental plans and escalate when tasks are off track.

How to demonstrate commercial flexibility by undertaking other responsibilities which are of a commensurate level as business needs change. As we are a cross-site team this may include working across the various AQA sites to meet business needs.