Are you an experienced operations manager looking to make a meaningful impact? Join our Student Assessments team at the University of Oxford to make a difference within a globally renowned institution.
Title: Exams Operations Manager
Location: Examination Schools, High Street, OX1 4BG
Salary: Grade 8 £49,119 - £58,265 per annum
Contract: Full Time, Permanent
About Us
Spanning the historic streets of the “city of dreaming spires”, the University of Oxford has been ranked the world’s leading university for ten consecutive years. A place where centuries of tradition meet world-changing innovation, we offer you the chance to shape the future while working in an inspiring environment that promotes excellence. Here, you’ll contribute to ground-breaking research that tackles global challenges - from advancing sustainability to pioneering healthcare solutions - and join a diverse, inclusive community that champions your wellbeing, development, and aspirations. Apply now to become part of our extraordinary legacy.
What We Offer
Working at the University of Oxford offers several exclusive benefits, such as:
- 38 days of annual leave (inclusive of public holidays) to support your wellbeing, with the option to purchase up to 10 extra days and additional leave after long service.
- One of the most generous family leave schemes in UK higher education, offering up to 26 weeks of full-pay maternity and adoption leave, plus 12 weeks of full-pay paternity/partner leave.
- A commitment to hybrid and flexible working to suit your lifestyle.
- An excellent contributory pension scheme.
- Affordable and sustainable commuting options, including a cycle loan scheme, discounted bus travel, and season ticket loans.
- Access to a vibrant community through our social, cultural, and sports clubs.
About the Role
The Examination Operations Manager is a key role within the Student Assessments team, taking the lead on exam planning and delivery in a complex university environment. The team manages over 100,000 summative assessments each academic year, including over 50,000 in-person exam sittings for 12,000 students. It is a high stakes activity, with broad visibility across the institution, and the postholder has the opportunity to lead practice internally and across the higher education sector more broadly.
You will ensure efficient, compliant delivery of core examination services — including alternative arrangements and mitigating circumstances, examiner appointment and payment processes, timetabling and invigilation, online-exam support and related services — while driving continuous improvement, service excellence and effective cross-University liaison. The postholder will be a member of the Student Assessments management team and will contribute to leading projects and policy development as required.
About You
- You will have a track record of management and leadership, ideally in a higher education environment.
- You will be enthusiastic about working in a dynamic environment, to support students and staff through a high stakes area of University business.
- Experience of managing a diverse team, and of change management will also be a significant asset in this role.
- Your ability to communicate clearly and professionally with a wide range of audiences will ensure that stakeholders are well-informed about policy and operations.
- Analytical and methodical approach to problem-solving are essential, and you will use your ability to use evidence and data to inform decisions and improve processes.
- You will be open-minded and proactive, willing to take on the ideas of others and to carry them forward as an important element of process renewal.
- You will have a good understanding of developments in assessment practice across the higher education sector, and seek to balance these innovations with institutional practice.
Sponsorship and Right to Work
This role meets the criteria for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa. The University will meet the cost of the Skilled Worker visa and NHS surcharge for applicants that require a visa.
Please let us know in your application if you require sponsorship.
Application Process
To apply, please upload:
- A covering letter/supporting statement
- Your CV
- The details of two referees
The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 29 June 2026.
Interviews will take place on 16 July 2026, and will be held face-to-face.
