Executive Head of Education

£85,000 per annum | Full‑time (35 hours) | Hybrid - London (Clerkenwell)

Over 20,000 members across 74 countries, the organisation is the leading professional body for biomedical science, with education at the heart of its charitable mission. This executive‑level appointment will shape the future of professional standards, qualifications, and accreditation both in the UK and internationally.

Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, the Executive Head of Education will provide strategic leadership across the entire education portfolio, ensuring the institute remains an authoritative standard setter and HCPC‑approved education provider. The role involves building trust, strengthening team culture, and leading a high‑performing, multidisciplinary Education Department through change, while influencing at the highest levels of the organisation’s executive leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership of the Education Department, including quality assurance, accreditation, qualifications, examinations and digital learning.
• Lead organisational and cultural change, setting clear direction and rebuilding confidence and engagement within the team.
• Act as senior lead for HCPC‑approved programmes, regulatory compliance, and UK and international degree accreditation.
• Advise the CEO, Council and committees on education strategy, regulation, policy and emerging sector developments.
• Work in close partnership with the Education & Professional Standards Committee to deliver strategy, standards and continuous improvement.
• Build strong relationships with academic institutions, regulators, professional bodies and other key stakeholders.
• Oversee education budgets and ensure robust governance, risk management and performance reporting.
• Represent the institute externally as a credible and authoritative voice on education and professional standards.

Who We're Looking For

We are keen to hear from two broad but equally welcome groups of candidates:

• A senior Biomedical Scientist with significant leadership experience, deep understanding of education, training and accreditation, and the confidence to operate at executive level.
• A senior education leader from a life science, healthcare, medical or health‑related professional or membership organisation, royal college, regulator or education body, bringing transferable expertise, strong credibility and a sophisticated grasp of regulated professional education.

Essential Criteria

• Proven experience in senior leadership, with a strong track record of people management, cultural leadership and delivery through change.
• Significant experience of education, training, accreditation or quality assurance within a regulated or professional context.
• Credibility operating at executive and trustee level, with the ability to influence, advise and challenge constructively.
• Strong understanding of professional standards, regulation and governance in healthcare, life science or adjacent sectors.
• Experience of committee work and managing complex stakeholder environments.
• Strategic thinking combined with delivery focus, sound judgement and excellent communication skills.
• Experience of managing budgets and operating within organisational governance frameworks.

Desirable (but not essential)

• HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist.
• Direct experience of biomedical science, pathology or laboratory practice.
• Background in degree accreditation or higher education quality processes.

Why Apply?

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of professional education within a respected, values‑led membership organisation whose work underpins patient care across the UK and beyond. You will join a committed executive team and have genuine influence over strategy, standards and culture during a critical period of change. Charity People is a forward‑thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with, and we provide a fair, transparent and externally led recruitment process.