Assessment Manager, Arts and Languages

Assessment Manager, Arts and Languages

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £32,100-£40,000

Location: Cambridge

What it’s about

This role sits within the Arts and Languages Group and involves managing assessment products for a range of qualifications, for example Cambridge IGCSE, O Level and AS/A Level. 

You will be checking, proofreading and signing off assessment materials, as well as managing examiners to ensure accuracy of marking and conformity to Cambridge Assessment International Education’s assessment standards. You will be working with a range of stakeholders and ensuring that assessment providers are fully competent to deliver assessments in accordance with Cambridge standards. Part of the role involves supporting a diverse range of customers.

This role is likely to involve working across more than one of the subject areas covered by the Arts and Languages Group (Languages, Music, Drama, Art & Design and Performing Arts). The subject portfolio for this role will include Music and Languages qualifications initially, and may include other subject areas in future. It would be an advantage to have an interest in music and languages, the ability to read music scores, and knowledge of one or more Modern Foreign Languages.

What you’ll be doing

• Manage the design, development and delivery of a portfolio of syllabuses that reflect the values of the Cambridge Learner and teacher and also meet the needs of customers, meet Cambridge Assessment International Education’s assessment standards and the Code of Practice.
• Ensure that question papers and key documentation are produced efficiently, in line with procedures, on time and to the highest standards of quality and accuracy.
• Ensure that marking, grading and results and appeals procedures and responsibilities assigned to the post are carried out accurately and effectively, according to agreed procedures and to schedule.
• Manage the appointment, allocation of work, performance and succession planning of Setters, Revisers and Vetters, item writers, Assistant Examiners, Principal Examiners and other assessment providers to ensure that assessments are produced, marked and graded in accordance with Cambridge Assessment International Examination’s standards.
• In conjunction with the Development Division as appropriate, work collaboratively with schools, partner organisations and ministries to develop and revise syllabuses and associated materials to ensure that they meet their needs, are cost effective and reflect the current developments in the subject area.
• Contribute to the development of Cambridge Assessment International Education’s strategy to use technology to provide on-line assessment, training and teacher support materials.
• Contribute to improvement projects (systems/quality improvements), innovations, and working groups as appropriate in respect to continuous improvements and maintenance of quality procedures or the on-going delivery of assessment projects.
• Organise the provision of consultancy services in some situations and contribute to training for partner organisations and ministries in relation to assessment of subjects in the portfolio and deliver outcomes to agreed timescales and quality.
• Maintain quality control standards of qualifications submitted for accreditation in order to ensure that Cambridge accreditation services are met, if relevant. This may include in country evaluation of assessment processes.
• To monitor costs of assessment materials production or project budgets.

What we’re looking for

Qualifications

Essential: 

• Educated to degree level in a subject area relevant to the portfolio
• Knowledge of assessment in education
• High standard of English

Desirable: 

• Post-graduate qualification in educational assessment, management or project management
• Teaching qualification
• Knowledge of international education 

Skills 

• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
• High level of attention to detail
• Positive ‘can do’ attitude
• Strong track record of effective ‘people’ skills
• Excellent organisational and planning skills
• Excellent communication skills – verbal and written
• Team player
• Highly proactive
• Ability to self-manage
• Ability to prioritise
• Negotiation skills
• Ability to work with basic statistics/ data handling and interpretation ability
• Able to engage with technology and basic IT skills 

Experience

Essential:

• Extensive teaching experience and/or project management experience 

Desirable:

• Experience in education-related project management at a senior level
• Examination administration
• Examining experience 

Behaviours

• Flexible
• Can-do and proactive
• Appropriate judgement on decisions essential
• Collaborative, open and takes responsibility
• Open to change
• Meticulous approach; following procedures is essential

Who we are 

Cambridge Assessment International Education prepares school students for life, helping them develop an informed curiosity and a lasting passion for learning. We are part of Cambridge Assessment, a department of the University of Cambridge. Our international qualifications are recognised by the world’s best universities and employers, giving students a wide range of options in their education and career. As a not-for-profit organisation, we devote our resources to delivering high-quality educational programmes that can unlock learners’ potential. 

This is an excellent opportunity to join a market leader and be rewarded with valuable learning opportunities, a competitive salary and benefits.

Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive package of benefits to help with your life both inside and outside of work:

• Generous contributory pension
• 28 days annual leave, plus bank holidays 
• Annual performance related bonus and increases (discretionary) 
• Enhanced maternity/paternity pay
• Childcare vouchers
• Employee discount and cash back scheme at 2,500 retailers 
• Cycle scheme 
• Season Ticket Loan
• Subsidised staff restaurants
• Support for professional qualifications
• Discounted access to the University of Cambridge Sport Centre, along with various other local gyms.

Work/life balance is important to us here at Cambridge Assessment, and we offer colleagues a range of flexible working options which suit both the business and the employee.  Please let us know of flexible working requirements when applying and we can see how we can support you. 

The closing date for receipt of applications is 25 August 2019 and interviews will be held on 4 September.

To apply please upload your CV and covering letter.        

As a fair and equal employer, we want to make sure you have all the information you need about the job, so we always incorporate the job description into our ads. If you’re invited for interview, you’ll also receive that job description as a separate document.

In this spirit of transparency, if you’re successful at interview stage we will ask you to undergo background screening (carried out by Credence Background Screening Ltd), to ensure that all information provided to us is accurate. We wish you all the very best with your application.