Career Counsellor and Chief Exams Officer

ROLE SUMMARY:

Vilamoura International School (CIV) is a leading educational institution in the south of Portugal, offering Pre-School, Primary, and Secondary Education through both national and international curricula, including Cambridge programmes.

Set within a unique natural environment and featuring an 18,500 m² outdoor play area, CIV has, for over 40 years, developed an educational model that promotes early learning, inquiry-based education, and a values-driven approach grounded in democratic and humanistic principles.

CIV is dedicated to academic excellence and is seeking a Career Counsellor and Chief Exams Officer, starting in August for the next academic year. This is a combined leadership role supporting careers guidance and the strategic oversight and administration of examinations within the International Curriculum. The ideal candidate will guide students in making informed academic and career choices, ensure the effective planning, compliance, and delivery of all internal and external examinations, and contribute to students’ academic, personal, and professional development.

In addition to this position, you may also be interested in our in-person Inspired Portugal Teacher Recruitment Event at King’s College School, Cascais on Saturday 7th March 2026. This event will bring together headteachers and hiring managers from several Inspired schools across Portugal, offering you the chance to connect directly with them, learn more about our organisation, and explore career opportunities for this and the next academic year. For more information and to register, please click here: https://jobs.inspirededu.com/job-invite/8103/

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide comprehensive careers guidance to students, supporting academic pathway choices, university applications, and post-secondary planning within international curricula.
• Deliver individual and group career counselling sessions, helping students identify strengths, interests, and future aspirations.
• Lead and manage all aspects of internal and external examination administration related to the International Curriculum, ensuring full compliance with examination board regulations and deadlines.
• Act as the primary liaison with examination boards, ensuring accurate registration, secure handling of materials, adherence to regulatory requirements, and timely submission of entries and results.
• Oversee examination logistics, including timetabling, invigilation arrangements, access arrangements, secure storage of materials, and record keeping.
• Ensure the school meets all regulatory and safeguarding requirements related to examination processes.
• Collaborate with teaching staff, curriculum coordinators, and school leadership to align careers guidance and examination planning with academic programmes.
• Maintain accurate and confidential student records related to careers guidance and examinations.
• Communicate effectively with students, parents, staff, universities, and examination boards.
• Promote international-mindedness and informed decision-making aligned with the school’s values and international education philosophy.
• Actively participate in school meetings, events, and ongoing professional development activities.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE:

• A degree in Education, Psychology, Career Guidance, or a related field.
• Experience in careers counselling, preferably within an international or secondary school context.
• Proven experience as an Examinations Officer, ideally within Cambridge or other international examination frameworks.
• Strong knowledge of international curricula and post-secondary pathways (e.g. international universities, vocational routes).
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills, with the ability to manage complex examination processes and deadlines.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities effectively in a dynamic school environment.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills.
• A student-centred approach with a strong commitment to supporting students’ academic, personal, and career development.
• Strong attention to detail, confidentiality, and professional integrity.

SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT

Inspired Education Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practices and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.