Lead Administrator

• locations
• Guildford

• time type
• Part time

• posted on
• Posted Today

• time left to apply
• End Date: October 23, 2025 (12 days left to apply)

• job requisition id
• R7079

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.

Lead AdministratorFixed Term Contract until June 2026

Part Time – 28 hours per weekGuildford: £25,000 - £27,900 (actual salary £20,000 – £22,320 per annum)

Hybrid Working

Are you looking for a role which varies throughout the year, one where you are continually learning?

This Lead Administrator role sits within the Centre Inspection Service. You will be one of the team who liaise with, and support, schools and colleges internationally who deliver OxfordAQA exams, to ensure they are compliant with examination regulations.

You are someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys variety in their work. If you have strong customer service experience and a keen eye for detail, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. You are able to communicate clearly, working with centres in different parts of the world with different cultures.

You’ll be responsible for managing multiple tasks—from responding to emails and handling data administration to producing reports and meeting deadlines. You’ll follow end-to-end processes and adapt to seasonal changes, ensuring high standards are maintained throughout.

You’ll need to be confident in making decisions independently, as this position operates as a standalone role within the team. Staying calm under pressure, being self-motivated, and maintaining accuracy are key to success.

If you’re someone who enjoys working autonomously while juggling a variety of responsibilities, we’d love to hear from you!

Please note that peak times for this team are the main examination seasons (typically mid April to the end of June and November each year)

What’s in it for me?

• A small, dedicated team of 8 core colleagues who all work together to ensure consistency of approach

• The satisfaction of knowing that you are ensuring students are treated fairly in the course of their examinations

• A hybrid working arrangement with an average of 2 days a week in the office

• The ability to pay up to 18.5% into your pension including employer contributions

• 25 days annual leave (rising with service) with Christmas and bank holidays on top

• Private Medical Insurance and a Health Care Cash Plan Reward

What will I need to succeed?

• Familiarity with Microsoft 365 including SharePoint, Outlook and Teams

• To be highly organised with a real eye for details

• Have customer service and communicating with stakeholders high on your list of skills

• Build and maintain positive working relationships with a range of individuals and external stakeholders

• Confidence to lead and mentor the administrators, identifying process improvements

• To be confident in handling objections in a professional and tactful manner.

How to apply:
Upload your CV and a cover letter explaining why you would be the best person for this job.
All applications will be responded to.

Applications will close at 23:59 on Wednesday 22 October 2025

Interviews will be face to face in the Guildford Office (GU2 7SX)

#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 JCQ CIS work is undertaken by AQA on behalf of the JCQ Awarding Bodies as a contract which runs until August 2020.Section 1 – Accountabilities

Key result areas:

Customer (external or internal)

Being trusted and reliable in assessment design and delivery

Together with the Team Manager, to act as the identified point of contact for other Awarding Bodies.

To assist the Team Manager with the arrangements for the appointment of Inspectors and the despatch of material required by Inspectors in order to undertake visits to centres.

To assist the Team Manager to plan, control and monitor the work of the department efficiently within the constraints of the budget.

Within the overall management of the JCQ CIS work, to take responsibility for the arrangements for and reporting of Access Arrangements visits, inspections of vocational exams and any potential future developments as required.

To take responsibility on behalf of AQA for the planning, allocation and reporting on inspections for centres overseas with all its associated tasks.

Cash (finances)

Ensuring sound financial management and a robust asset base

Planning and coordination for the most efficient use of resources whilst maintaining a background awareness of the need for timeliness, and JCQ-contractual compliance, under the direction of a line manager.

Product and internal processes

Contribute to the Project Library, ensuring that all project related documentation is carefully filed and easily retrievable.

Delivering quality products and outcomes – as recognised by the customer

To contribute to the control, direction and monitoring of the complete cycle of work that is the responsibility of the JCQ Inspection Service team assisting the Team Manager.

To contribute to the maintenance of issues and risk logs associated with the project and to provide timely information to the Project Manager.

People and culture

Ensuring we have great people achieving their potential

To contribute to the training and development of staff within the team.

Technology

Delivering demonstrably secure, reliable, agile and cost-effective systems

To make an appropriate input into the development of IT systems for the JCQ Centre Inspection Service.

Government and external

Providing timely, valued insight and evidence that inform policy

To follow-up communications with centres subsequent to inspections and to support the production of summary reports of Inspections for other Awarding Bodies.

To deal with feedback and contact queries about Inspections, liaising with the Team Manager to ensure a prompt and high quality service including telephone cover for the JCQ Centre Inspection Service.

Working with the management team to provide support and liaison between the work of Centre Registration in AQA, NCNR and the work of JCQ CIS.

Section 2 – Key relationships and performance

Key internal relationships:

Team members, malpractice investigators and case analysts, other departments within AQA.

Key external relationships:

Heads of centre, Chairs of Governors, Exams Officers, other awarding bodies’ malpractice teams, JCQ secretariat.

Key performance indicators:

As determined in consultation with line manager.

Section 3 – Person profile

Knowledge

Understanding of a range of manual and electronic administrative systems - A/T/I

Sound knowledge of office procedures and practices - A/I

Good literacy and numeracy - A/T

Qualifications

General academic or vocational qualification or demonstrable experience for the required role - A

Skills

Supervises the work of a group of staff, including planning, allocating, scheduling and monitoring work - A/P

Plans of an area of work and/or project - A/I

Ability to work with limited supervision - A/P

Promotes good customer care within the section to deliver efficient and excellent customer service to JCQ colleagues as specified in the SLA - A/I/T/P

Trains and encourages staff, contributing to their development - A/P

Identifies and implements change and improvement to systems and procedures relevant to the area of work - A/P

Communicates effectively both orally and in writing - A/I/T

Contributes to the activities required to meet budget constraints - P

Contributes to the speedy resolution of problems - A/I/P

Behaviours

Treating everyone well and with empathy - I/P

Working together - I/P

Openness and honesty - I/P

Abiding by commitments - I/P

Continuous learning and improvement - I/P

Acting in best interests of AQA - I/P

Optimism and determination - I/P

Valuing everyone’s expertise - I/P

Experience

Experience of supervising groups of staff and/or an area of work - A

Experience of managing data on an IT system - A

Planning and revising the scheduling and programmes of work - A

Working in a busy office environment, managing work to deadlines - A

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

Additional

As post holders will or may be visiting customers and centres, there is a requirement for them to complete a Child Safeguarding Declaration in line with the AQA Child Protection Policy.

About Us

AQA is an independent charity that sets and marks over half of all GCSEs and A-levels in the UK every year. Our purpose is to advance education by helping students and teachers to realise their potential. As part of AQA, you’ll very quickly appreciate the determination and unwavering passion to deliver this goal in everything we do. To help drive these ambitions, AQA invests in the development of its people by offering a range of professional development and learning opportunities leading to over 50% of our permanent roles being filled internally.

Reasonable Adjustments

If you have any requirements for reasonable adjustments in relation to the application, interview or the prospective job, please contact Faye Harrison (she/her) at fharrison@aqa.org.uk or on

07813 724161. We are asking for this information to make the process as equitable as possible for each candidate. Please note that Faye will not be able to assist you with enquiries regarding Temporary vacancies or non-recruitment enquiries. If you have query regarding Temporary vacancies, please contact:

temprecruit@aqa.org.uk

Smart Working

We’re operating a smart working model. This allows for our colleagues to work from two days a week in one of our offices across England.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

AQA is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone - regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background - is valued, respected, and supported to thrive.

Conflict of Interest

Please note that due to the confidential nature of our work, we are unable to employ people for our temporary roles who are currently a candidate for Key Stage 4 and 5 public examinations.

Safeguarding

AQA is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk. We’re dedicated to reducing the risk of employing or contracting any person intent on abusing their position of trust, along with identifying and responding to any incident of alleged abuse from its employees or associates fairly and swiftly.

For more information on safeguarding at AQA please visit the AQA website here. 

Contact

Temporary roles: temprecruit@aqa.org.uk
Permanent and Fixed Term roles: opportunities@aqa.org.uk