The Open University
Temporary Contract | Start date: 26th May- 1st October 2026
£14.16 pay rate
Full-time hours 37hrs per week
(9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday & 4:30pm finish on Fridays!)
Hybrid Working - Milton Keynes MK7 6AA (2-3 times on site between Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, extra days where required to meet deadlines so must be local to campus).
Pertemps are recruiting for an organised and detail-focused Exam Board Assistant to support The Open University's Business Development Unit during their busy summer peak period.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced administrator looking to gain experience within higher education and academic governance. This position offers the opportunity to work within a collaborative and professional environment, supporting essential academic processes that directly impact student progression and award outcomes.
Full commitment to the placement period is essential to support the team through their peak, with full training and ongoing support provided.
The Role
You will support the end-to-end administration of Exam Board activity, ensuring processes are completed accurately, professionally and within required deadlines.
You will also provide wider operational support to help maintain the smooth running of office activities and shared services across the department.
Key Responsibilities
Coordinate and support the scheduling and administration of Exam Boards for OU-validated provision
Process and check award lists received from partner institutions, ensuring all student details are accurate and complete
Update and maintain internal systems, databases and tracking spreadsheets with a high level of accuracy
Manage workflows and progress documentation through approval stages, ensuring service level agreements and deadlines are met
Support OU representatives and External Examiners throughout the Exam Board process
Carry out pre-board checks to ensure documentation and board arrangements are compliant and ready for review
Record, track and follow up board decisions, ensuring outcomes are logged and processed correctly
Monitor exceptions, irregularities and complex cases, escalating issues where appropriate
Maintain accurate audit trails and ensure reports and tracking systems remain up to date at all times
Coordinate certificate processing and dispatch activities for partner organisations
Support finance administration processes, including claims processing and repetitive system-based tasks
Work collaboratively across teams while following established processes and procedures
Proactively raise queries and seek guidance when required to ensure accuracy and compliance
Support office operations and general administrative activities as required
Work collaboratively across teams within a busy and fast-paced environment
Skills and Experience Required
Previous administration experience, including working with spreadsheets and databases
Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel, Outlook and Word
Process driven, managing repetitive tasks and able to problem solve.
Ability to learn new systems quickly - Salesforce experience is beneficial.
High level of accuracy and attention to detail
Strong organisational and time-management skills
Ability to prioritise workloads and adapt to changing demands
Confident working independently and as part of a team
Professional and approachable communication style
Ability to handle sensitive information with tact and discretionDesirable Experienc
Experience within higher education, partnerships or academic administration
If you are a proactive administrator with excellent attention to detail and enjoy working in a structured and collaborative environment, we would love to hear from you. Click 'Apply' today.
Pertemps and The Open University are committed to creating an inclusive environment and welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds
Salary description
£14.16 - £14.16 per hour