Head of Pinc Exams - Manchester with National Travel

Office-based in Manchester with national travel requirements.

Full-time | Permanent | 52 Weeks

£60,000 FTE per annum

Organisation Overview

Pinc Exams is a newly established initiative within the Pinc Education Group, created to ensure that neurodivergent students have access to examination environments specifically designed to support their needs. Recognising that traditional exam settings can present significant barriers to performance, Pinc Exams provides purpose-built, neuro-affirming spaces in which candidates are empowered to demonstrate their knowledge and ability. Every aspect of the Pinc Exams environment, from its physical design to its operational practices, is informed by the Pinc methodology and pedagogy which places significant importance on equity of opportunity. While the provision has been established in the first instance to serve Pinc students, the organisation has strong ambitions to extend access to external candidates, enabling a broader cohort of neurodivergent young people to benefit from an examination experience that is truly built around them.

Role Overview

Pinc exists to create meaningful change for neurodivergent young people. Central to this mission is the exemplary delivery of qualifications; ensuring that every candidate has the opportunity to perform to the best of their ability in a purpose-designed, supportive environment. As part of Pinc Education Group’s strategic growth plans, Pinc has established Pinc Exams, a dedicated examination provision with facilities tailored to the needs of neurodivergent candidates. The first Pinc Exams centre is located in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, with a second centre planned for Stoke as part of a national expansion programme. The Head of Pinc Exams is a senior operational leadership position with responsibility for the end-to-end delivery of examinations across the Group. The post-holder will oversee all aspects of the function, from scheduling and logistics to candidate experience and examiner management, ensuring all activity meets Pinc standards. The role also carries responsibility for driving the expansion of the Pinc Exams model nationally, requiring a willingness to travel across the Group’s national footprint. The Head of Pinc Exams will line manage the Exam Centre Lead and the Maths and English Leads and will work closely with the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) to ensure examination delivery remains compliant, operationally efficient and subject to continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Embed Pinc’s SEND strategy and methodology into all examination centre operations.
• Provide effective leadership, motivation and professional development to examination centre teams, ensuring delivery across all UK locations is efficient, consistent and focused on candidate outcomes.
• Fulfil the responsibilities of the Designated Safeguarding Lead for Pinc Exams.
• Lead on examination policy, procedures and regulatory compliance, ensuring conformity with all applicable national legislation.
• Own the planning, scheduling and logistics for all exams, maintaining operational excellence throughout.
• Manage relationships with third party suppliers, delivery partners and examination software providers, holding all parties to the standards required by Pinc.
• Maintain oversight of the Pinc Exams Risk Register, proactively identifying, managing and mitigating operational risks.
• In collaboration with the Chief Finance Officer, manage the Pinc Exams budget, ensuring accurate forecasting of income and expenditure and responsible use of resources.
• Oversee database management and record keeping, ensuring that all information is accurate, secure and appropriately maintained.
• Interpret and analyse data on trends and results including numbers of internal and external candidates.

Candidate experience

• Ensure every candidate benefits from a well-structured, appropriately supported examination experience from application through to results.
• Maintain clear and accessible communications, policies and guidance so that candidates and examiners are fully informed at every stage.
• Manage appeals and misconduct investigations with fairness, transparency and strict adherence to established procedures.
• Oversee the end-to-end reasonable adjustments process, ensuring all requests are considered with appropriate rigour and that approved adjustments are delivered without exception.

Stakeholder engagement and governance

• Collaborate closely with the Executive Leadership Team to ensure all examination delivery meets JCQ requirements and wider regulatory standards.
• Represent Pinc at external meetings and sector forums, cultivating relationships that support the adoption of best practice and enhance the organisation’s profile.
• Provide structured, data informed reports and professional guidance to the ELT on all examination related matters.

Innovation and continuous improvement

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement across Pinc Exams, identifying more effective working practices, appropriate technological solutions and opportunities to enhance the candidate experience.
• Contribute to wider organisational improvement initiatives, providing operational expertise to cross-team working groups and projects as required.
• Ensure team members have access to the training, professional development and clear performance objectives required to perform to the best of their ability.

Growth and development

• Clearly define and proactively market the Pinc Exams offer to SEND specialists across the education sector in pursuit of the Group’s ambition to make neuro-affirming exams spaces accessible to external candidates.
• Develop and expand a tutoring service accessible to both Pinc students and external candidates.
• Lead the establishment of the Pinc Exams centre in central Manchester and subsequent centres in accordance with the Group’s growth strategy.
• Engage with external stakeholders to identify suitable locations and premises for future Pinc Exams centres.

Person Specification Requirements

Qualifications

• Essential: Excellent standard of Maths and English
• Enhanced DBS with child workforce
• Desirable: Educated to degree level or equivalent experience

Experience

• Essential: 5+ years working in exams or qualifications
• 5+ years’ management experience, with a strong track record of leading service delivery in a complex, multi-site environment
• 5+ years’ experience leading and developing teams, managing performance and getting the best out of people
• 3+ years’ experience managing budgets across multiple workstreams, with solid forecasting and cost control
• Experience of setting up new operational entities from scratch
• Experience identifying, tracking and mitigating operational risks
• Experience managing senior stakeholder relationships, internally and externally

Desirable

• Experience of working within SEND education settings
• Experience leading remote or geographically dispersed teams

Skills

• Essential: Ability to analyse complex data sets, identify trends and translate findings into actionable insights for decision-making purposes
• Highly organised with strong deadline management and the ability to perform effectively in challenging or unpredictable circumstances
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 and the aptitude to adopt new software systems rapidly
• Excellent written communication skills across a range of professional formats including candidate guidance, governance reports and internal policy documents
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective professional relationships at all organisational levels

Desirable

• Working knowledge of MIS systems, such as Data Bridge

Attributes

• Committed to operational excellence and a high standard of candidate experience
• A solutions-oriented approach with the ability to maintain analytical rigour and forward momentum in the face of challenges
• High personal standards and a demonstrated commitment to supporting the professional growth of others
• A commitment to equity, inclusion and diversity in both professional practice and personal conduct
• A reflective practitioner who demonstrates self-awareness and a commitment to continuous professional development
• A genuine belief in the right of all neurodivergent young people to access transformative educational experiences

How to Apply

Please click apply to complete an application form and email to people.team@pincgroup.co.uk. For further details, visit https://pinccollege.ac.uk/pinc-job-vacancies/.