VP - Research & Development - Management Accounting

About the Role

You will lead the advancement of management accounting as a practical science and professional discipline, translating latest practice into insights that inform the evolution of the CGMA Professional Qualification and lifelong learning ecosystem. Being the primary conduit between practice, research, and education, you will provide leadership and practice‑based input into curriculum, competency frameworks, and professional development. You will guide a global, practice‑led research agenda and establish forward‑looking capabilities, including the Management Accounting Innovation Lab, to shape CGMA PQ 2030 and the future direction of the profession. You will report to the VP and Managing Director Learning Education & Development and use a hybrid work schedule.

You Will

• Provide strategic input and expertise to inform the CGMA Professional Qualification and post‑qualification learning ecosystem, ensuring they reflect evolving management accounting practice.
• Translate insights into capability frameworks and help use AI, sustainability, digital transformation, and value creation in competency frameworks and CPD.
• Implement a comprehensive research strategy (qualitative, quantitative, and academic) that supports the Association's business strategy.
• Oversee the delivery of high‑quality research across practice‑oriented, applied, and academic domains, ensuring you translate outputs into applicable insights.
• Lead the advancement of management accounting as a practical science and professional discipline through globally relevant, practice‑led research, expertise, and new ideas.
• Define the purpose and strategic mandate of the MA Innovation Lab.
• Establish and oversee a technical advisory group.
• Deliver a programme of work, including prototypes, pilot frameworks, and latest practice models, that informs CGMA PQ 2030 and future innovation.
• Oversee the creation and publication of research outputs and partner with marketing and content teams to deliver go‑to‑market and distribution strategies that maximise reach, adoption, and effect.
• Build strategic relationships with members, employers, academic institutions, and professional bodies.
• Represent the Association as a spokesperson for the profession through public speaking, seminars, workshops, and digital platforms, strengthening visibility, credibility, and influence globally.
• Build, mentor, and lead globally distributed teams, promoting collaboration across research, curriculum, and practice functions to deliver strategic outcomes.
• Establish and guide a focused global academic engagement strategy, encouraging collaboration with universities, faculty, and research communities.

You Have

• Postgraduate qualification to Master's degree level, or higher (or equivalent).
• Qualified Management Accountant (CGMA or equivalent professional designation).
• Experience developing and leading qualitative and quantitative research programmes.
• Experience working within finance, professional services, consultancy or advisory environments.
• Leadership experience across research direction, people management, and business development.
• Experience translating research and insights into practical outputs for practitioners, students, and wider audiences.
• Experience shaping and leading Research & Development within academic or professional environments.
• Experience applying research within a commercial or business context, ensuring relevance to real‑world practice.

How We Support You

We provide flexibility to help you achieve a good work‑life balance. You'll be part of a global, diverse team who foster an environment of inclusion and belonging where you are valued for who you are and where you come from. We offer benefit options in and out of the workplace, including healthcare, pension plan, annual leave, parental leave, and an employee assistance program. We care about our employees' welfare and focus our benefits package on the benefits which support your wellbeing. We also recognise that everyone has different priorities, so in addition to our core benefits to support your health we offer flexible options for you to choose benefits that are right for you, your family and your lifestyle. We believe in non‑stop learning and are committed to investing in learning opportunities that help you reach your full potential and support your continued development.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, or veteran status. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.