Head of Accreditation and Quality

We are currently recruiting a Head of Accreditation and Quality for a 12-month Maternity cover contract. 
This role is hybrid, both working from home and in our Oxford hub. The role holder should be happy to work in the hub at least monthly, but more often where needed. 

We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly between home and the hub to suit their needs and preferences, in line with our hybrid working policy.
Colleagues are able to work their hours flexibly, in line with core business hours and requirements. We also offer formalised flexible working agreements.  

The starting salary is £67,830.

To apply, please send a CV and cover letter to HRsupport@actuaries.org.uk by the closing date of 18 July. Interviews will take place on 28 July.

Purpose of the job

To make an exceptional contribution to the educational experience and outcomes of IFoA learners ensuring that the quality of accreditations is maintained.

Reporting to the Head of Learning Content and Partnerships the post holder will work closely with senior managers in the Engagement and Learning group, as well as colleagues in Member Services and Markets Development to ensure that the quality of the IFoA accreditations, and University accredited programmes are maintained to a high standard.  

Dimensions

The postholder will be responsible for monitoring and maintaining the processes with which the IFoA assure the quality of accreditations – these include the current 46 accredited Universities, transfer of prior learning (TPL), 50 independent examiners, CERA treaty requirements, 1000 PPD applications signed off annually, sampling 10% of the 15,000 members on the route to qualification, plus extensions annually. There are over 3000 exemptions made a year of which 30% require further review by the team the postholder manages.  

The postholder will have 4 direct reports to support the delivery of this work. The team undertake data collection, analysis and interpretation of the data from over 40 accredited Universities and a growing number of recognised partners, supporting over 3000 students.  

Principal accountabilities

Responsible for the management and operational delivery of the following areas of the IFoA’s qualifications:

• University partnerships
• Accreditations
• Personal and Professional Development (PPD) sign off
• Alternative Qualification Routes
• CERA requirements
• Support of Independent Examiners
• Support the Head of Learning Content and Partnerships in the management of and strategic planning for the area and to represent them at meetings as required. 
• Responsible for the effective management, organisation and delivery of the core services which underpin the team to the required standard and timescales. 
• Liaise closely with colleagues in Markets Development to ensure that University accreditation processes continue to meet external partner and IFoA core business needs.
• Provide guidance to the wider department around the development and reporting for performance measures and undertake regular performance monitoring and measurements as required
• Monitor, implement and, where appropriate, propose changes and enhancements to the qualification routes. To advise all internal staff and external partners to ensure all processes are followed appropriately
• Represent the IFoA externally and internally in accordance with the seniority of the role and the needs of the IFoA
• Carry out such other duties as may be required, from time to time or on a regular basis, in accordance with the IFoA’s needs and the seniority of the role
• Undertake horizon scanning across sectors including professional and actuarial bodies and Higher Education to ensure that best practice is followed across core processes
• Ensuring that the PPD process is run effectively, that applications are signed off in a timely manner, and that an annual sample of 10% of those on the route to qualification is completed

Main contacts

Internal:

• Direct reports
• Head of Learning Content and Partnerships
• Head of Quality and Assessment
• Head of Assessment 
• Assessment Executives 
• Head of Registry
• Head of Engagement
• Engagement and Learning Staff
• Markets Development staff
• Membership staff

External:

• Module teams
• Independent Examiners
• Students
• Suppliers
• Universities
• Actuarial Bodies
• Financial Reporting Council (FRC)

Impact

As a key team within the Engagement and Learning directorate, Accreditation and Quality provide the assurances that those acquiring the IFoA Associate or Fellowship qualification have met the required standards and are fit for purpose. The postholder  plays a key role in this area managing a wide ranging team covering University Partnerships, Accreditations, Personal and Professional Development (PPD), alternative qualification routes, CERA, Support of Independent Examiners. Clear planning of work and workloads across the team is essential along with the ability to identify risks and ensure that errors are rectified in a timely manner.  Any errors relating to the quality area are very high profile and tend to attract attention from high level committees and volunteers and, potentially, external stakeholders such as the FRC and employers

Decision-making and complexity

The post holder is expected to work independently with little input from their line manager and will need to ensure that standards are met within the required delivery timescales.

The post holder will spend considerable time researching and analysing external best practices before   recommending appropriate rules, procedures and guidelines. 

The post holder has the ability to affect change and, where agreed, implement processes or procedures to enhance the experience of interaction with the IFoA in the area of qualification accreditations.

The post holder must be able to analyse and interpret complex data deciding on what is relevant to guide the development of assessment policies and procedures.

The post holder must be able identify and exploit opportunities. They need to be able to identify problems or alternative ways of working that will enhance provision and lead to efficiencies in working for staff and external personnel.

The post holder will need to engage with a variety of professional networks and be able to advise on best practice.

Knowledge and experience

• Excellent leadership skills including a high level of emotional intelligence
• Strong experience of staff management within an administrative environment
• Management experience within a professional body or higher education provider
• Experience of working with quality frameworks within higher education or professional body 
• High level of communication skills (verbal and written)
• Excellent interpersonal, networking and collaborative relationship building skills at all levels
• Ability to prepare papers and reports for committees and senior management providing solutions to issues and recommendations to quality assurance policies 
• Ability to analyse a range of information relating to accreditations and qualifications
• Excellent planning and organisation skills
• Ability to develop and identify how systems can enable strategic and procedural developments
• Strong problem solving, analytical, intellectual, written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work flexibly and creatively, with the clarity of vision and drive required to achieve successful changes
• An enthusiastic and proactive approach
• Strong attention to detail
• Evidence of commitment to professional development 

Additional information

Travel to main work location expected to be a minimum of once a month. Travel to other various locations, events and conferences will be required (approx. once a month with occasional overnight stays) as well as occasional out of hours working.

IFoA’s values

The role holder must be an ambassador for and demonstrate the IFoA Values in all aspects of their work.

• Member-focused: We put members at the heart of everything we do
• Action-oriented: We work hard, we work smart, and we take pride in getting things done, valuing action over perfection
• Forward- and outward-looking: We’re always looking to be bold and improve, innovate and take the next step
• Team-driven: We work in partnership, advancing together as one IFoA

Alternative format and adjustments

Please email the HR Team if you require:

• any information regarding our vacancies in an alternative format
• any adjustments to support you to fully participate in any part of the application and recruitment process

Any information shared will be used only to enable us to make reasonable adjustments to support candidates to participate in the recruitment process. It will not inform selection decisions.

You can reach us at HRsupport@actuaries.org.uk.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion

The IFoA encourages applicants from a variety of backgrounds and experience and welcomes diversity with regard not only to protected characteristics but also diversity of thought. Diversity, equity and inclusion are more than just words for us. That’s why we are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels included and respected, and where no one is unfairly discriminated against. Consequently, we promote diversity, equity and inclusion in all our policies, practices and procedures, and actively encourage applications from a diverse range of potential candidates. All applications for our roles are considered on merit alone, and if you don’t meet all the criteria but believe you have something to offer, we want to hear from you. For more information on our commitments, please see our DEI strategy page.