Head of Accreditation
Professional Membership Body
Oxford/Hybrid Working
Basic Salary: £67,830 with excellent benefits Holiday entitlement of 35 days leave per annum (this includes the normal public, bank and internal holidays), Pension contribution from the employer of 8% with a requirement for a personal contribution of at least 2%, plus matching of additional voluntary contributions of up to an additional 2%, Private healthcare scheme, Death in service cover of 3.5 times your annual pensionable salary, Income protection, Agile and Hybrid working
Full Time, 12-Month Fixed-Term Contract (Maternity Cover)
My client, a prestigious and established international professional membership body, is currently searching for a Head of Accreditation to join their high-performing Education and Learning team.
If you are a senior quality assurance or accreditation professional with experience in higher education or professional development, and have a strong track record in leading teams and maintaining high standards across education partnerships, we would love to hear from you.
The Role
Reporting to senior leadership within the Education and Learning division, the Head of Accreditation will lead the strategic and operational delivery of accreditation and quality assurance across a global education network. This includes overseeing partnerships with over 40 educational institutions, managing 50+ independent examiners, and ensuring thousands of students meet the organisation’s high standards of learning and development. You will be responsible for driving continuous improvement in accreditation processes, maintaining alignment with regulatory expectations, and supporting the professional development of a diverse, international membership.
Key Responsibilities
Lead and develop the accreditation function, ensuring quality assurance across all qualification pathways, including university partnerships and alternative routes.
Line manage and motivate a team focused on data analysis, quality assurance, and partner relationship management.
Oversee systems and policies governing exemptions, regulatory requirements, and professional development recognition.
Represent the organisation at senior external meetings and contribute expert input to strategic initiatives.
Liaise cross-functionally to ensure an integrated approach to quality and standards across all learner touchpoints.
Conduct horizon scanning and sector analysis to keep accreditation practices aligned with external benchmarks and best practice.
Ensure data collection, analysis, and reporting are rigorous, actionable, and aligned to organisational KPIs.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
Proven senior-level experience in accreditation or quality assurance within a membership body or higher education environment.
Demonstrated leadership and team management skills, with experience of delivering strategic outcomes.
Strong understanding of quality frameworks, professional development schemes, and qualification pathways.
Proficient in using data to inform continuous improvement and strategic decision-making.
Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and report-writing abilities.
Track record of innovation and operational transformation.
Confidence in representing an organisation at senior and external levels.
Desirable
Experience working with regulatory bodies and professional standards frameworks.
Experience in developing and managing international education partnerships.
Personal Attributes
Emotionally intelligent and collaborative leader.
Data-driven and detail-oriented with a strategic mindset.
Proactive and adaptable with a passion for educational quality.
Committed to continuous improvement and professional development.
To apply to this role, please send your CV.
Due to the volume of applications we are only able to contact successful applicants. Therefore, if you have not heard from us within 10 working days, please deem your application as unsuccessful on this occasion.
Membership Bespoke is acting as a recruitment business in relation to this role. Membership Bespoke positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.
Membership Bespoke is the most experienced membership-focused recruitment firm in the UK, with 10+ years of experience delivering tailored permanent, temporary, interim, and Executive Search recruitment solutions to Trade Associations, Regulatory Bodies, Political Parties, and Professional Bodies.