Centre Development Executive

We’re looking for a Centre Development Executive to join our Qualifications team. This role is central to managing and developing relationships with our network of study centres, supporting both performance improvement and sustainable growth.

As a Centre Development Executive, you’ll take ownership of a portfolio of study centres, working collaboratively to enhance the learner experience, drive registration and membership growth, and ensure delivery against agreed performance benchmarks. You’ll use a structured account management approach to monitor performance, identify risks and opportunities, and support centres to maintain CIPD standards. The role includes analysing centre data, supporting onboarding and ongoing development of centre staff, contributing to engagement and communication activity, and providing guidance on qualifications, assessments, and operational processes. You’ll also work closely with internal stakeholders to share insight, support continuous improvement, and contribute to the integrity and quality of CIPD qualifications.

What you'll be doing:

• Building and managing relationships with a portfolio of CIPD study centres and accredited providers, helping them achieve strong performance, growth and learner outcomes.
• Using data and insight to monitor centre performance, identify risks and opportunities, and support centres to meet quality, commercial and operational benchmarks.
• Developing and delivering account plans that drive registration growth, learner engagement and CIPD membership uptake.
• Supporting centres throughout their lifecycle, including onboarding new centres, delivering training and helping users make the most of CIPD systems, platforms and resources.
• Reviewing centre approval applications and changes to existing approvals, making recommendations and ensuring compliance with CIPD standards.
• Providing operational, technical and assessment-related guidance to centres, ensuring a high-quality and consistent learner experience.
• Identifying opportunities to improve processes, systems and ways of working to enhance efficiency and the experience of centres and learners.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across CIPD to share market insight, support strategic initiatives and strengthen centre engagement.
• Managing risks related to qualifications, assessments and centre operations, ensuring issues are identified and addressed appropriately.
• Representing CIPD at events, conferences and networking opportunities to promote CIPD qualifications, accreditation and centre partnerships.
• Keeping up to date with developments in education, qualifications, learning and development, and using insights to support continuous improvement.

What you’ll need to be successful:

• Proven experience in client relationship management, account management or stakeholder engagement, ideally within the education, professional qualifications or accreditation sector.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret performance data, identify trends and make evidence-based recommendations.
• Understanding of educational frameworks and regulatory requirements, such as Ofqual, or the ability to quickly develop expertise in qualifications and accreditation.
• Experience identifying and managing operational, quality or compliance risks, with the ability to implement effective solutions.
• Strong project coordination and change management skills, with experience working across multiple stakeholders and priorities.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and maintain attention to detail in a fast‑paced environment.
• A proactive and customer‑focused approach, with a track record of identifying opportunities for improvement and implementing positive change.
• Strong problem‑solving skills, with the ability to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery.
• Experience using CRM systems and reporting tools to manage relationships, monitor performance and support decision‑making.

About us:

We’ve been championing better work and working lives for over 100 years. We help organisations thrive by focusing on their people and contributing to stronger economies and societies. We’re the professional body for HR, L&D, OD and all people professionals — experts in people, work and change. With over 160,000 members globally, and a growing community engaging with our research, insights and learning, we provide trusted advice and independent thought leadership. We are also a leading voice in shaping good work that creates value for everyone.

We offer an inclusive and collaborative working environment, a wide range of development opportunities and a competitive benefits package, including 28 days’ annual leave (with the option to buy and sell), a personal development allowance, access to an award‑winning pension scheme and a strong focus on wellbeing, including a cashback health scheme. We also recognise and support colleagues through different life stages, with enhanced parental leave, fertility and family‑forming support, and support for colleagues with caring responsibilities. We value everyone as an individual and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where different perspectives are welcomed, ensuring fair opportunities for all and strengthening how we work and deliver impact together.