Technical Standards and Awarding Manager

This job is with Pearson, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.

Job Description

Technical Standards and Awarding Manager

Do you have expertise in maintaining and setting standards within education? Are you passionate about qualifications, assessment standards and education? We want to hear from you!

The Technical Standards and Awarding Manager post is recognised as the function for setting and maintaining standards for a specific suite(s) of qualifications within General and Vocational Qualifications with the Responsible Officer.

You will be responsible for developing, monitoring and communicating fit for purpose standards across a range of qualification types. As a Technical Standards and Awarding Manager, you will be part of a larger multi-disciplinary technical team working with experts from research, assessment design and statistical intelligence to ensure our products meet regulatory and organisational excellence throughout the qualification life cycle.

The Technical Standards and Awarding Manager is accountable for the integrity of qualification results for millions of learners. They will be contributing to the awarding approach of our qualifications and critically reviewing awarding decisions to ensure they are equitable and defensible. You will be liaising with external stakeholders such as Ofqual and DfE to review policy and procedures for how standards should be set and maintained.

Accountabilities

• To identify international best practice methods for setting and maintaining standards.
• Lead on the creation and review of awarding policies, quality assurance, strategies, guidance and training
• To ensure adherence to and provide evidence of regulatory compliance.
• To document transparent processes and procedures that are robust and defensible in relation to setting and maintaining standards.
• To scope, carry out and report outcomes from research
• To represent Pearson UK at external conferences and working collaboratively with representatives of other awarding organisations as appropriate.

Deliverables

Inputs into the design of new qualifications as they are developed being the lead on behalf of the team

Supports and provides technical guidance to development and product teams in relation to standards, grading models and awarding.

Critically review awards, providing an overview and rationale of awarding decisions

Providing an overview of evidence that rationalises trends in and confidence in results

Reports on outcomes of research – building the evidence bank to explain results

Developing awarding procedures for suites of qualifications

Developing and delivering training for internal and external staff

Reviewing and improving our quality assurance processes

Deliver training to internal teams

Challenges

Within the ever-changing landscape of education, it is essential that the Technical Standards and Awarding Manager team keep abreast of the demands that accompany this change, being a leading voice in the continued global standards debate.

Key challenges include:

Reacting positively to change

Intense internal and external scrutiny of process and decisions

Challenging the business to show how standards can be set and maintained for new qualifications

Sharing complex information and trends in simple terms to the wider business

Working in a fast-paced environment with competing demands

Flexibility of working patterns during peak periods

Engaging with all key stakeholders, including Ofqual & DfE

Adopting a constructive and positive approach to influence others

Key Competencies

In-depth knowledge of the methodologies for setting and maintaining standards for the suite of qualifications they are responsible for and is aware of the business needs.

The ability to balance multiple sources and strength of evidence to inform judgements that will impact learners' progression opportunities, including the use of statistical data is key. These judgements must be transparent, consistent over time and in the interest of protecting the integrity of the qualification suites. Being able to lead research projects that will help explain results profiles for specific qualification suites and/or build confidence in the appropriateness of the methodology used would be.

Pearson Profile Competencies

Excellent analytical skills with the ability to quickly synthesise trends and patterns and articulate to a wider non-technical audience

Makes decisions in the context of data, policy changes and education/assessment research

Challenges ways of thinking and doing things and is open to challenges from others.

Asserts own position and ideas with confidence and enthusiasm.

Makes decisions even when there is ambiguity or uncertainty.

Addresses and resolves conflict directly and constructively.

Sets high standards of performance for self and others.

Creates a sense of urgency to achieve results.

Demonstrates composure (e.g. calm and self-control) and resilience under difficult or challenging circumstances.

Develops a clear understanding of customer needs to anticipate their requirements and expectations. Proactively seeks feedback from customers to continually improve products and services in line with the brand.

At Pearson, we're committed to a world that's always learning and to our talented team who makes it all possible. From bringing lectures vividly to life to turning textbooks into laptop lessons, we are always re-examining the way people learn best, whether it's one child in our own backyard or an education community across the globe. We are bold thinkers and standout innovators who motivate each other to explore new frontiers in an environment that supports and inspires us to always be better. By pushing the boundaries of technology – and each other to surpass these boundaries – we create seeds of learning that become the catalyst for the world's innovations, personal and global, large and small.

Pearson is an equal opportunities employer. We do not discriminate against employees or job applicants and select the best person for each job based on relevant skills and experience.

We are also committed to building an accurate picture of the make-up of the workforce and encouraging equality and diversity.

The information you provide will stay confidential and be stored securely. It will not be seen by those involved in making decisions as part of the recruitment process.

Qualification/s

Degree or Equivalent

Education or assessment experience

Numerate with good report writing/communication skills

Your rewards & benefits

We know you'll do great work, so we give a lot back with some of the best benefits in the business. We know one size doesn't fit all, so our workplace programs meet the different needs of our diverse teams, and their families, too.

Please see our attractive UK benefits here: Pearson Jobs – Benefits

Who we are:

At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to help people realize the life they imagine through learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. We are the world's lifelong learning company. For us, learning isn't just what we do. It's who we are. To learn more: We are Pearson.

Pearson is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify. We want a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit and business need. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status or any other group protected by law. We strive for a workforce that reflects the diversity of our communities.

If you are an individual with a disability and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career site as a result of your disability, you may request reasonable accommodations by emailing TalentExperienceGlobalTeam@grp.pearson.com.

Note that the information you provide will stay confidential and will be stored securely. It will not be seen by those involved in making decisions as part of the recruitment process.

Job: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Organization: Assessment & Qualifications

Schedule: FULL\\_TIME

Workplace Type: Hybrid

Req ID: 18921

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