Programme Lead - Apprenticeships & Managed Programmes in London

About Us

At CIPFA, we're driven by a singular purpose: to transform lives through exceptional public financial management. As a leading international accountancy body, we champion integrity, transparency, and efficiency in the use of public funds. We believe that every pound spent should deliver tangible improvements to public services, creating a better future for individuals and communities worldwide. Join us in shaping a world where public money truly makes a difference.

About the Role

You will lead on the academic aspects of learning plans for apprentices and students on managed programmes, including conducting apprentice inductions, monitoring student progress, advising employers on learning plan changes, and overseeing the delivery of coaching support to apprentices. You will manage End Point Assessment readiness and transition for apprentices. You will also lead on the management and development of at least one PAQ module, including delivering some teaching. Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, you will help ensure the overall quality of programmes, supporting high achievement, retention, and satisfaction rates. You will also take shared responsibility for ensuring apprenticeship programmes and associated processes remain compliant with Ofsted best practice.

About You

You will be a qualified accountant with strong experience in apprenticeship delivery, accountancy training, and learner support. You will have a good understanding of Ofsted requirements, Department for Education funding rules, and best practice in learning delivery. You will be confident working with stakeholders at all levels, managing complex conversations sensitively, and supporting high-performing teams to deliver excellent outcomes.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the development of apprenticeship programmes in line with Ofsted’s Education Inspection Framework (EIF) and Department for Education funding requirements.
• Represent CETC at external apprenticeship forums and support the implementation of changes within the apprenticeship landscape.
• Build and manage effective relationships with apprentices, managed programme students, employers, line managers, training managers, and finance leads from onboarding through to programme completion.
• Provide academic guidance and support to ensure learners receive timely advice, appropriate interventions, and ongoing support to maintain progress.
• Work closely with Exams and CIPFA as the End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) to support assessment processes, exemptions, and apprentice readiness for full CIPFA membership.
• Lead on management and development at least one PAQ module, including the delivery of some teaching.
• Manage the Work-Based Learning Coach (WBLC) service, including:
• Developing and maintaining assessment strategies to monitor learner progress, skills, and behaviours.
• Monitoring service quality and ensuring compliance with Ofsted and Department for Education requirements.
• Managing coach capacity, onboarding, induction, and allocation of learner caseloads.
• Maintaining strong communication and sharing best practice across the WBLC network.
• Acting as an escalation point for complex apprentice or employer issues.
• Use learner and employer feedback to drive continuous improvement in programme quality, learner experience, and progression outcomes.
• Act as a Designated Safeguarding Officer, promoting safeguarding best practice, supporting compliance, and carrying out risk assessments where required.
• Support the Counter Fraud Training & Apprenticeship Manager with the delivery and management of the Counter Fraud Investigator apprenticeship programme.

What we’re looking for

• Qualified Accountant
• Strong understanding of apprenticeship programmes and funding requirements
• Experience delivering accountancy qualifications within a training or learning environment
• Practical public sector accounting, audit, or financial management experience
• Knowledge of Ofsted’s Education Inspection Framework
• Strong organisational and planning skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work proactively under pressure

Our Employee Offer

In exchange for helping us to make a difference we offer:

• Reward – Giving you fair pay and generous benefits, which includes competitive salary, generous pension scheme, holiday scheme, family friendly benefits and more!
• Wellbeing – Empowering you to work flexibly, balancing your personal and professional life through our permanent 4-day working week (work 4 days, get paid for 5) and hybrid working, alongside a range of health benefits, such as access to an Employee Assistance Helpline and the opportunity to join our Health Cash Plan.
• Purpose – Connecting the work you do with its social value and impact through paid volunteering days and charity and community work.
• Growth – Enabling you to develop your skills and knowledge through access to training opportunities, paid professional membership subscriptions, and career break options.
• Culture – Our culture is one of respect. We give you a sense of belonging, supporting you to work with autonomy, openness, and collaboration.

We know that not all people come from the same background, or think the same – so why should we? At CIPFA, we want to be a great place to work where a diverse group of people from all backgrounds can turn up and thrive. When we hire, we want you to feel empowered to bring your best self to work. Please let us know if you need any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.