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- Tasks: Manage assessment cycles, ensuring quality and fairness in qualifications.
- Company: Join Cambridge University Press & Assessment, a leading academic publisher and part of the University of Cambridge.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days annual leave, private medical insurance, and flexible hybrid working options.
- Why this job: Be part of a collaborative team making a global impact in education and assessment.
- Qualifications: Proficiency in statistical analysis, strong IT skills, and understanding of assessment principles required.
- Other info: Open to diverse applicants; flexible working arrangements available.
The predicted salary is between 37800 - 46800 £ per year.
Job Description
Assessment Standards Manager
Salary: £43,800 – £52,000
Location: Cambridge or Coventry, UK/Hybrid with minimum of 2 days per week working in the office
Contract:
2 x Permanent, full time – 35 hours per week
1 x 12-month Fixed Term Contract, full time – 35 hours per week
We are looking for Assessment Standards Managers, ideally with a STEM subject speciality (though applicants with other subject specialisms are also welcome), to join our friendly and high-performing Assessment Standards team.
We are Cambridge University Press & Assessment, a world-leading academic publisher and assessment organisation and a proud part of the University of Cambridge.
About the role
As an Assessments Standards Manager, you will look after a designated portfolio of qualifications where you will be responsible for managing all aspects of the assessment cycle for your portfolio relating to quality, including the setting of assessments, standardising assessors and setting grade boundaries. You will ensure that qualification outcomes are fair, consistent, and maintain OCR's credibility.
This role requires the ability to engage and build strong collaborative relationships with Assessment Specialists and with internal stakeholders across OCR and Cambridge University Press & Assessment.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leadership & compliance: Provide strategic direction to ensure assessment processes align with OCR and regulatory standards, while responding to innovations and regulatory changes.
- Management & quality assurance: Recruit, manage, and support senior assessors; oversee the quality and accuracy of assessment materials and processes.
- Assessment development, monitoring & intervention: Contribute expertise to the creation and piloting of new qualifications and intervene in assessment activities to maintain quality.
- Representation & continuous improvement: Represent OCR externally, contribute to internal improvements, and support accessibility and efficiency in assessment delivery. Contribute to working groups and team activities.
This is a busy and stimulating role at all times, but the workload is particularly demanding during major examination and awarding periods as relevant to the qualifications in your portfolio. This includes mid-May to July and January/February and November. Some weekend and evening work may be required during busy times.
About you
To thrive in this role, you'll bring a blend of technical expertise, attention to detail, and collaborative spirit. We're looking for someone who can demonstrate:
- Proficiency in basic statistical analysis and strong IT skills
- A solid understanding of assessment principles and methodologies across general and vocational/occupational qualifications
- Excellent organisational skills and a keen eye for reviewing assessment materials for accuracy and accessibility
- Awareness of strategies used to maintain standards in qualifications and the regulatory environment in which awarding organisations operate
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a range of stakeholders
- An appreciation of the complexities involved in developing and delivering both general and vocational qualifications
Ideally, we would like applicants to be able to join us as soon as possible.
We value not just what you know, but how you work. You'll be:
- Open to new ideas and feedback, always looking to improve
- Supportive of colleagues, especially during busy periods
- Flexible and willing to pitch in to help the team succeed
- A collaborative team player who builds strong working relationships across OCR and Cambridge University Press & Assessment
If you would like to know more about this opportunity and what will make you successful, please see the full job description attached to the bottom of this vacancy on our careers site.
Rewards and benefits
We will support you to be at your best in work and to live well outside of it. In addition to competitive salaries, we offer a world-class, flexible rewards package, featuring family-friendly and planet-friendly benefits including:
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Private medical and Permanent Health Insurance
- Discretionary annual bonus
- Group personal pension scheme
- Life assurance up to 4 x annual salary
- Green travel schemes
We are a hybrid working organisation, and we offer a range of flexible working options from day one. We expect most hybrid-working colleagues to spend 40-60% of their time at their dedicated office or location. We will also consider other work arrangements if you wish to work more flexibly or require adjustments due to a disability.
Ready to pursue your potential? Apply now.
We review applications on an ongoing basis, with a closing date for all applications being 27 July 2025 although we may close it earlier if suitable candidates are identified. Interviews are scheduled to take place from week commencing 11 August 2025.
Please note that successful applicants will be subject to satisfactory background checks including DBS due to working in a regulated industry.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment is an approved UK employer for the sponsorship of eligible roles and applicants under the Skilled Worker visa route. Please refer to the gov.uk website for guidance to understand your own eligibility based on the role you are applying for. Please note that Cambridge University Press & Assessment are unable to sponsor roles of 12 months or less.
Why join us
Joining us is your opportunity to pursue potential. You'll belong to a collaborative team that's exploring new and better ways to serve students, teachers and researchers across the globe – for the benefit of individuals, society and the world. Sharing our mission will inspire your own growth, development and progress, in an environment which embraces difference, change and aspiration.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment is committed to being a place where anyone can enjoy a successful career, where it's safe to speak up, and where we learn continuously to improve together. We welcome applications from all candidates, regardless of demographic characteristics (age, disability, educational attainment, ethnicity, gender, marital status, neurodiversity, religion, sex, gender identity and sexual identity), cultural, or social class/background.
We believe better outcomes come through diversity of thought, background and approach. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and communities, actively seeking to employ people from a wide range of different communities.
Assessment Standards Manager employer: Cambridge University Press & Assessment
Contact Detail:
Cambridge University Press & Assessment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assessment Standards Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest assessment standards and regulatory requirements in the education sector. This knowledge will not only help you understand the role better but also demonstrate your commitment to maintaining high-quality assessments.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field of assessment and education. Attend relevant conferences or webinars, and engage with online communities. Building these connections can provide valuable insights and may even lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with statistical analysis and quality assurance processes during the interview. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've ensured accuracy and fairness in assessments in your previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your collaborative spirit by highlighting past experiences where you've successfully worked with diverse teams. Emphasising your ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders will resonate well with the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Assessment Standards Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that align with the role of Assessment Standards Manager. Focus on your proficiency in statistical analysis, understanding of assessment principles, and any leadership roles you've held.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the position and the organisation. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to manage assessment cycles and build collaborative relationships with stakeholders.
Showcase Your Skills: Clearly outline your technical skills, particularly in IT and statistical analysis, as well as your organisational abilities. Provide examples of how you've maintained quality and compliance in previous roles.
Highlight Your Collaborative Spirit: Emphasise your ability to work effectively within a team. Share instances where you supported colleagues during busy periods or contributed to team success, as this aligns with the company’s values.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cambridge University Press & Assessment
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
As an Assessment Standards Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your proficiency in statistical analysis and assessment methodologies. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you've successfully applied these skills.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
This role requires strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with various stakeholders. During the interview, highlight instances where you've built effective working relationships and contributed to team success, especially in high-pressure situations.
✨Demonstrate Attention to Detail
Given the importance of accuracy in assessment materials, be ready to discuss how you ensure quality and consistency in your work. You might want to share examples of how you've reviewed materials for accessibility and correctness in previous roles.
✨Be Open to Feedback
The company values individuals who are receptive to new ideas and feedback. Prepare to discuss how you've used constructive criticism to improve your work processes or outcomes, showcasing your commitment to continuous improvement.
