Head of SBC and Membership Accreditation
Location: London - 3 days in the office and 2 days at home
Salary: £57-61k DOE
Contract: Permanent
Purpose of the Role:
The Chartered Association of Business Schools (Chartered ABS) is seeking a proactive, strategic, and relationship-driven Head of SBC and Membership Accreditation to lead the growth, engagement, and impact of the Small Business Charter (SBC).
The SBC is a national accreditation that recognises business schools demonstrating excellence in supporting SMEs, student entrepreneurship, and local economic growth across the UK. Accreditation also enables participation in the UK Government-funded Help to Grow: Management programme.
SBC membership has grown rapidly in the past four years to 68 business schools across the UK and Republic of Ireland. This role will ensure that momentum continues—strengthening the SBC’s value proposition, supporting existing members, and expanding the network both nationally and internationally.
About the Role:
This is a high-impact leadership role that combines strategic growth, accreditation management, member engagement, and stakeholder relations.
You’ll act as a key ambassador for the SBC—developing senior-level relationships with business schools, government, and partner organisations—while overseeing the SBC accreditation process and managing the SBC Membership Co-ordinator.
Your leadership will ensure that business schools gain maximum value from their SBC accreditation and membership while supporting the continued success of the Help to Grow: Management programme.
Key Responsibilities:
Accreditation Management
* Oversee the end-to-end SBC accreditation and reaccreditation process, ensuring both rigour and commercial sustainability.
* Manage the reaccreditation schedule to support uninterrupted Help to Grow delivery.
* Recruit, train, and coordinate SBC assessors, convening them regularly to share insights and improve standards.
* Provide support and guidance to applicant and reaccrediting business schools.
* Liaise with the Company Secretary and Governance Manager on continuous improvement of the SBC Rulebook.
Strategic Leadership & Growth
* Drive national and international growth of SBC membership, identifying new opportunities and partnerships.
* Lead on the implementation of a new internationalisation strategy from mid-2026.
* Refine and enhance the SBC value proposition based on member feedback and sector insights.
* Present quarterly performance reports to the SBC Management Board.
Member Engagement & Partnerships
* Foster high levels of member retention and satisfaction through a compelling and evolving membership offer.
* Build strong relationships with senior academics, business leaders, government, and sector partners.
* Represent the SBC at key industry events, conferences, and policy forums.
* Promote member success stories and SBC impact through communications and marketing activities.
Team Leadership & Collaboration
* Line manage the SBC Membership Co-ordinator, overseeing membership administration, renewals, and engagement activities.
* Work closely with the Marketing & Communications and Events teams to deliver impactful campaigns, workshops, and conferences.
* Champion collaboration across the Chartered ABS to ensure SBC activities align with wider organisational priorities.
About You:
You are a confident, strategic leader with a passion for business education, entrepreneurship, and SME growth. You thrive in a dynamic environment where you can combine relationship-building with operational delivery—and you’re motivated by seeing tangible results.
Essential Experience:
* Significant experience in membership management, senior account management, or business development.
* Experience managing accreditation or standards-based schemes.
* Background working with higher education institutions, professional bodies, or trade associations.
* Proven success in growing and retaining memberships or client relationships.
* Experience managing or mentoring staff.
* Experience working with government, SMEs, and academic stakeholders.
Knowledge & Skills:
* Strong understanding of UK higher education, business schools, and SME support frameworks.
* Strategic thinker with excellent project management and organisational skills.
* Confident communicator with strong presentation and stakeholder engagement abilities.
* Skilled at managing multiple priorities and meeting deadlines.
* Entrepreneurial, confident, and personable.
* Independent and solution-focused, with strong collaborative instincts.
* Professional, tenacious, and highly organised.
* Motivated by targets and tangible impact.
* Willing to travel within the UK and occasionally work outside normal hours.