Professional Development Lead – Accounting & Early Careers
£40,000 – £45,000 + Exceptional Benefits
4-day working week | Hybrid
Derby
Eaton Syalon is partnering with a high-growth professional services SME to appoint a Professional Development Lead, focused on supporting and developing early-career accountants, trainees and apprentices across the business.
This is a newly created role and a great opportunity for a qualified accountant who enjoys developing people and wants to use their professional experience in a different way — stepping away from day-to-day technical delivery and into a role shaping the next generation of accounting talent.
The Opportunity
This role is designed for someone who understands what it takes to train, mentor and develop accountants in the real world.
The business has invested heavily in apprenticeships and early-career pathways and is now looking for a credible, professionally qualified individual to own and support those journeys — ensuring trainees, apprentices and junior accountants are set up to succeed both technically and professionally.
You'll work closely with early-career accountants, line managers and external training providers, acting as a guide, mentor and advocate, helping individuals navigate professional qualifications, workplace expectations and career progression.
This is not a traditional L&D role — formal learning and development experience is not essential. What matters is professional credibility, empathy, and a genuine interest in developing others.
Key Responsibilities
Act as the central point of support for accounting apprentices, trainees and early-career professionals
Support individuals through professional qualification routes (e.g. ACA / ACCA AAT apprenticeships), including progress reviews and development planning
Work with managers to ensure trainees receive the right coaching, exposure and on-the-job learning
Provide mentoring, guidance and practical advice based on your own professional journey
Coordinate with external training providers and apprenticeship partners to ensure high-quality outcomes
Support onboarding and early-career development to help new joiners transition successfully into professional roles
Contribute to the development of clear career pathways and progression frameworks for junior accounting talent
Use feedback and outcomes to continuously improve the early-careers experience
About You
Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA)
Background in practice or a professional services environment
Experience supporting, mentoring or developing junior team members, trainees or apprentices
Enjoys helping others grow and progress in their careers
Comfortable working collaboratively with managers, trainees and external partners
Organised, approachable and able to balance structure with flexibility
Open to stepping into a people-focused role, even if you've never worked in L&D before
Why This Role?
A genuinely different career path for a qualified accountant
Opportunity to shape and influence early-career development across the business
Use your professional knowledge without the pressure of fee targets or technical deadlines
Newly created role with scope to evolve and grow
Supportive, people-first culture
4-day working week and flexible hybrid working model