Examinations Delivery Manager

Royal College of Ophthalmologists

About the Organisation

Royal College of Ophthalmologists is a membership organisation and the voice of the profession, with 4,750 members in the UK and overseas. Our role is to champion the specialty, set standards of training and practice, and influence change to make a difference to the lives of patients with eye conditions. Royal College of Ophthalmologists champions excellence in the practice of ophthalmology.

We are the only professional membership body for medically qualified ophthalmologists and for those who are undergoing specialist training to become ophthalmologists. The College acts as the voice of the profession; we set the curriculum and examinations for trainee ophthalmologists, provide training in eye surgery, maintain standards in the practice of ophthalmology, and promote research and advance science in the specialty.

Ophthalmologists are at the forefront of eye health services because of their extensive training and experience in the area. As an independent charity, our policies are based on impartial, clinically based evidence. We work with leaders and decision-makers in the eye health sector, such as government health departments, commissioning bodies, and patient and charity organisations to help shape eye services for the benefit of patients.

About the role

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists is a membership organisation and the voice of the profession, with 4,500 members in the UK and overseas. Our role is to champion the specialty, set standards of training and practice, and influence change to make a difference to the lives of patients with eye conditions.

You will lead the operational delivery of the Part 2 FRCOphth Oral and Certificate in Laser and Refractive Surgery examinations in the UK. Working with senior examiners, colleagues and delivery partners, you will provide fair, secure and well-organised examinations and a high standard of service for candidates. You will manage the Examinations Administrator, coordinate resources and improve the systems and processes that support examination delivery.

This is an opportunity to combine practical delivery with people management and service improvement, working closely with clinicians. You will make operational decisions within agreed policies and escalate exceptional matters, significant risks, and proposed policy changes to the Director of Examinations.

Responsibilities

Examination Planning and Delivery:

• Lead delivery from application and scheduling through to examination administration, results preparation and candidate feedback.
• Plan examination timetables, confirm candidate entry and coordinate venues, site visits, equipment, staffing and examiner arrangements.
• Manage travel, accommodation and catering arrangements with colleagues, suppliers and host centres, within agreed budgets and policies.
• Attend and administer examinations at UK and some overseas centres, ensuring delivery follows agreed procedures.

Quality Assurance and Examination Integrity:

• Maintain the confidentiality and security of examination materials, candidate information and results, with accurate records and clear audit trails.
• Apply approved standard-setting and quality assurance procedures to prepare results for approval. Document required verification checks, escalating discrepancies before results are released.
• Coordinate the maintenance and secure use of examination question banks, including the Part 2 Oral and CertLRS structured viva banks, and support training in question bank processes.
• Analyse examination performance and delivery feedback, prepare reports for senior examiners and relevant committees, and recommend improvements.
• Identify delivery risks, maintain contingency arrangements and escalate incidents promptly to the Director of Examinations and relevant senior examiners.

Candidates and Examiners:

• Provide clear, timely information to candidates and examiners, explaining procedures and decisions professionally and sensitively.
• Coordinate examiner recruitment, training and records, working with senior examiners to maintain an effective examiner workforce.
• Implement agreed reasonable adjustments and support fair and accessible examination delivery in line with College policies.
• Collate and provide candidate performance feedback, and support responses to examination queries and appeals within the agreed procedures.

People and Partnerships:

• Line manage the Examinations Administrator, setting priorities, reviewing performance and supporting development.
• Build effective relationships with senior examiners, sub-committees, host centres, venue teams and external suppliers.
• Provide operational guidance to colleagues on examination policies and procedures, supporting consistent practice across the department.

Finance and Service Improvement:

• Contribute to examination budgets, monitor expenditure and manage supplier costs. Ensure invoices and expense claims are checked, coded and processed with the Finance Team.
• Review and streamline delivery processes, maintain clear procedures and contribute to policy reviews and the development of assessment methods.
• Support improvements to examination systems, maintain equipment records and help colleagues develop the skills needed for effective delivery.

Other:

• Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Director of Examinations.
• The role includes travel to UK and overseas examination centres, overnight stays and work outside normal office hours, including weekends, in line with the examination schedule. The postholder must be able to meet these delivery requirements.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Knowledge, Qualifications & Experience:

• Experience of coordinating or managing examination or assessment delivery, including complex schedules, multiple stakeholders and firm deadlines.
• Experience of supervising staff, setting priorities and supporting performance and development.
• Experience of improving administrative processes and maintaining clear procedures and accurate records.
• Experience of coordinating suppliers and resources, monitoring expenditure and working within agreed budgets.
• Understanding of confidentiality, secure information handling and the importance of consistent examination procedures.

Skills & Abilities:

• Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands and maintain accuracy under pressure.
• Clear written and verbal communication, including the ability to explain sensitive procedures and decisions with tact and diplomacy.
• Sound judgement when applying policies, resolving operational problems and recognising when to escalate matters.
• Ability to use spreadsheets and other Microsoft Office applications effectively, interpret data and learn new examination and database systems.
• Ability to build constructive relationships with candidates, examiners, colleagues and external partners.
• A collaborative and accountable approach, with a commitment to examination integrity, inclusive practice, high-quality service and continuing professional development.

Personal Qualities & Attributes:

• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and understanding of how this applies to own area of work
• Commitment to own continuing professional development

Compensation & Benefits

• 25 days of annual leave, increasing to 30 days with length of service (plus bank holidays and office closure between Christmas and New Year)
• One day of paid leave to move house
• Enhanced parental leave
• Employer pension contributions up to a maximum of 12%.
• All staff are offered opportunities for learning and development, in addition to a comprehensive e-learning package
• Study loans
• Season ticket loan
• Cycle to work scheme
• Summer Fridays (staff can finish 90 minutes early from mid-July to the end of August
• Enhanced Employee Assistance Programme (with access to free counselling sessions)
• Health Cash Plan

Working locations

• Hybrid model, working in the London office and remotely

How to apply

• Apply on our website

Policies

The College is committed to encouraging inclusion, equity and diversity among our staff, and eliminating unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation by complying with the Equality Act 2010. We want a working environment where individual differences and the contributions of all staff are recognised and valued. To do this, we will proactively tackle discrimination and disadvantage and ensure that no individual or group is directly or indirectly discriminated against for any reason. We expect all employees to champion and live our values through their work at every opportunity.

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