Special Requirements Coordinator

• locations
• Guildford

• time type
• Full time

• posted on
• Posted Yesterday

• job requisition id
• R7397

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.

Job title: Special Requirements CoordinatorContract type: 1x Permanent role and 1x Fixed Term Contract until September 2026Location: GuildfordSalary: £28,700 to £32,000Working arrangements: Hybrid – two days a week in the office

Could you see yourself leading a team that makes a real difference to students who need it most?

As our Special Requirements Coordinator, you will play a key role in supporting learners who need additional access arrangements, reasonable adjustments and special consideration so they can perform at their best. This is an opportunity to lead a team that makes a meaningful difference, ensuring every student has a fair and accessible assessment experience. If you enjoy leading people, working with purpose and guiding teams through fast-paced, important work, this role will give you the chance to make a lasting impact.

You will lead a team dedicated to supporting schools, colleges and SEND professionals, helping them access the adjustments that reduce disadvantage for students. You will guide the team to deliver a consistently high-quality service that supports AQA’s commitment to fairness and equity for learners of all abilities. Your work ensures we meet regulatory obligations, uphold standards and continuously improve how we serve our centres and students.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you’ll be responsible for:

• Leading and developing a team of administrators to deliver high-quality, timely and compliant support for centres requesting special requirements.
• Managing performance in real time, using data and KPIs to keep processes on track, resolve issues and meet operational objectives.
• Acting as a subject matter expert on special requirements, representing AQA in relevant forums, supporting colleagues and contributing to improvements in policy, systems and practice.

What We Are Looking For

You will thrive in this role if you are someone who brings strong leadership, clarity and care to your work. You’ll need:

• Experience leading and motivating a team, with the ability to set challenging targets and support people to achieve them.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to create clear guidance and training materials.
• Strong organisation and time management skills, with confidence prioritising and delegating in a busy operational environment.
• A results‑focused approach, comfortable managing multiple activities to tight deadlines and using KPIs to drive performance.
• The ability to collect accurate and timely data and analyse data to identify improvements and make recommendations.
• A continuous improvement mindset with the ability to identify customer and business needs and develop effective solutions.

What’s in It for You

This role gives you the chance to shape a team that directly improves outcomes for learners who need support. You will:

• Work on meaningful, high‑impact activity that helps ensure fairness in assessment.
• Develop your leadership skills with opportunities for coaching, growth and professional development.
• Be part of a team that values curiosity, openness and improvement.
• Work in an environment that recognises balance, flexibility and wellbeing.
• Join an organisation committed to supporting inclusive practice and positive change.

Diversity and inclusion statement
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.

Application process
• To apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role by 23.59 on Sunday 08 March.
• Interviews will take place on the week of 16 March in our Guildford office.

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 to the Special Requirements Manager you will work collaboratively to manage the team and delivery, ensuring an excellent level of customer service is provided at all times. You will coordinate the delivery of prompt and compliant processes across modified question papers/items, access arrangements and special consideration. Responsible for collating and analysing department data, you will review against agreed measures, working closely with relevant colleagues to monitor performance and to quickly identify and address backlogs or issues.

Working with the Special Requirements Manager you will play a key part in driving continuous improvement, providing both internal and external feedback to help drive changes aligned to customer and fairness, supporting AQA to meet its commitment to reliable delivery, shape the future and be effective at all times. You will positively contribute to the culture and working practices of AQA bringing a positive and open mindset to change and championing AQA’s culture and ways of working.

Working across AQA collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders you will be required to provide insight, work collaboratively with other awarding organisations through relevant JCQ groups and present at or attend external events. As a subject matter expert, you will provide support regarding equality and disability legislation to a variety of stakeholders and apply the main duties placed on AQA by such legislation.Landscape:

Special Requirements is a team of c10, which increases in size during its peak delivery period in the summer, who represent AQA by closely working with SENDCOs and other centre representatives to mitigate disadvantage for students. The Special requirements Coordinators lead teams of administrators, managing high volumes of customer contact through a variety of touchpoints in a fast-paced and highly regulated field, ensuring AQA meets its regulatory obligations.

Activities:

Exemplify the behaviours, values and leadership approach we wish Operations to be famous for. Guide the team through consistently demonstrating these values and behaviours.

Build exceptional relationships with our internal and external customers, guiding the team in consistently delivering a best-in-class service that meets our customers’ needs.

Model leadership behaviours with confidence and to get the very best from direct reports and teams by providing clarity, feedback, coaching and development, while continuously seeking to enhance performance in line with business objectives, time and quality.

Manage progress against agreed KPIs in real-time to ensure efficient, timely and quality outcomes and resolution of backlogs and issues. Proactively engaging with oversight and assurance activities

Represent AQA’s interests in JCQ guidance on special requirements and provide guidance to the wider business as required.

Understanding the issues which affect which stakeholder groups, liaise internally and externally to ensure any new ways of working identified are fit for purpose and can be operationalised.

Plan the delivery of processes, effectively identifying risks/mitigations appropriately.

Embed the ethos of continuous improvement cycle by reviewing and updating the effectiveness of all processes in the area, being responsive to customers’ needs.

Maintain fit for purpose systems and process that enable the collection of accurate and timely data; analyse data to identify improvements and trends; report on key findings, drawing conclusions and making recommendations.

Act as an SME by working with relevant colleagues, undertake awareness-raising activities such as hosting webinars, attending conferences or writing guidance

Ensure AQA is safe and legally compliant by applying AQA’s policies and other legislative requirements and keeping records, files, reports and documentation secure, accurate and up to date in line with GDPR regulations and company policy.

Ensure a good clear understanding of the main points of legislation affecting special requirements

Undertake any other tasks commensurate with the role.

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

Experienced people manager with a track record of challenging and motivating a team, setting challenging targets and supports staff to achieve them

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with attention to detail and accuracy, the ability to produce clear procedural guidance/training materials

Excellent organisation and time management skills, including ability to effectively prioritise and delegate

Results focused: Experience of managing multiple activities concurrently to tight deadlines in a complex administrative operation and used to working with MI/KPIs

Strategic thinker: proactively identifying and delivering continuous improvement that will embed change that add value to our customers

Ability to identify changes in business and/or customer needs and facilitate development of appropriate solutions

Have a learning and development mindset, open to giving and receiving feedback, committed to improving self and working practices