TOpS Recruitment and Contracting Advisor

TOpS Recruitment and Contracting Advisor 

The Company  

Learning is the most powerful force for change in the world. More than 20,000 Pearson employees deliver our products and services in nearly 200 countries, all working towards a common purpose – to help everyone achieve their potential through learning. We do that by providing high quality, digital content and learning experiences, as well as assessments and qualifications that help people build their skills and grow with the world around them. We are the world's leading learning company. Learn more at   

At Pearson, we believe in the power of difference. Harnessing the unique skills, perspectives, and backgrounds of every employee helps us foster innovation and create the most effective solutions for learners around the world. That's why we're committed to ensuring that diversity and inclusion are embedded into everything we do. We foster a work environment that's inclusive and diverse — and where our people can be themselves — so we can reflect the customers and learners we serve.  

Pearson were awarded the TOpS contract in April 2024, with the first test cycle to be completed in 2025/2026 window. The TOpS Recruitment and Contracting Advisor will be supporting with ensuring that all requirements are met throughout the TOpS project, processing to meet tight deadlines alongside ensuring that all processing criteria is met.  

 The Role  

This position is within the TOpS Marker Recruitment and Contracting Team at Pearson. The department are responsible for the recruitment and contracting of Key Stage 2 markers. Markers of all levels perform many different roles across Key Stage 2 English Reading, English Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling and Mathematics qualifications, some examples are below:  

• Marking Programme Leader 
• Deputy Marking Programme Leader
• Senior Marker 
• Team Leader 
• Specialist Marker 
• Regular Marker 
• Clerical Marker 

The Recruitment and Contracting Advisor will be responsible for ensuring that sufficient Markers are recruited to fulfil forecasted demands for the TOpS/National Curriculum Assessments. The post holder will also manage the deployment of our Markers, as well as working within the wider recruitment team in ensuring that sufficient Markers are contracted to meet target requirements for all areas that the Recruitment and Contracting Advisor is responsible.  

This role is business-critical and covers an essential phase in the successful delivery of each contracting period. Team members need to remain focused while working to tight deadlines, yet also need to be sufficiently flexible to manage the varying priorities, meeting deployment targets while answering customer queries, acting as a subject-specific contact while responding to urgent situations that frequently arise during the testing period etc. 

Key accountabilities 

• To organise and manage recruitment campaigns for all Marker positions. 
• Liaise with internal departments and key stakeholders on recruitment requirements/issues. Advising them on the best way to proceed and building successful working relationships. 
• Provide advice to potential applicants on Marker roles. 
• Work within the Recruitment and Contracting Team to anticipate demand for additional Markers in key subject areas. 
• Working with colleagues in the team to ensure your knowledge of Gateway is sufficient to guide new applicants and to set up new roles when necessary.  
• Monitor the number of applications received for priority subjects.  
• Contribute to the Pearson Marker recruitment and retention strategy.  
• To ensure positive customer service is provided consistently, resolving escalations & complaints promptly in accordance with Customer Service SLAs.  
• Provide regular MI and on an ad hoc basis as requested.  
• Taking responsibility for a given area from across the range, to manage and facilitate the contracting, deployment and allocation of Markers for each period of work, in line with forecast requirements and to tight deadlines. 
• To assess requirements and despatch sufficient contracts to ensure full coverage of the area is achieved by the target date, following up non-replies and 'topping-up' to cover Marker withdrawals. 
• To build a collaborative relationship with each of the stakeholders, such as the STA, in that designated area of responsibility. 
• Proficiency needs to be established with various systems including Gateway, to ensure that all information is correct and up to date, so that the interface with other interdependent systems is secure. 
• Deal with routine enquiries regarding applications and the status of applications by phone and email. Liaise with internal customers regarding Markers.  
• Manage the end-to-end recruitment process for all vacancies - including support for new applicants and reference checks.  
• Assisting with additional or ad hoc contracting during busy times or to cover during absence. 
• Assisting colleagues within the Deployment team with their workload during peak times. 
• Liaison will be required with other areas of the business in order to achieve business objectives. 

Key Challenges  

High volumes of application forms and references needing to be dealt with efficiently and within specified times.  

Ensuring there are sufficient volumes of applicants to meet demand 

The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate:  

• Good written and verbal communication skills  
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team  
• The ability to work effectively with limited supervision  
• A commitment to delivering objectives and KPIs  
• A can-do attitude and the ability to adapt to an ever-changing workplace  

I.T Literacy  

• Intermediate MS Word and MS Excel, MS Outlook, (Essential)  
• Use of databases (Desirable)  

Working Pattern  

Standard 37.5 hours a week, office hours, Monday - Friday but will be required to be flexible during busy periods including the possibility of working at weekends occasionally. Overtime may be paid or offered as time off in lieu. 

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