Senior Manager, Professional Education Team, Learning, Human Resources

The development of our people is a key component of our People Priorities, and our Employee Value Proposition. Our role is to support the performance and growth of around 20,000 colleagues that collectively comprise Deloitte UK. Our Talent and Learning mission is to “Measurably improve the experience and performance of colleagues at Deloitte”. Learning is a vital component of our employee experience.

Deloitte is one of the largest student employers in the UK. In total, we support around 4,000 students on Apprentice and Graduate programmes, providing a broad range of work experience and formal learning and development opportunities.

Our Professional Education team plays a key role in building the technical knowledge and skills of our Graduates and School Leavers through design and delivery of their Professional Qualification pathways ensuring they respond to business need and are setting our students up to successfully achieve their qualification and progress in their career.

Investing in our people is paramount to our success. Professional education is a critical component of our early career experience, directly impacting talent development, retention, and ultimately, business outcomes. As a Senior Manager within the Professional Education Team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of professional development at Deloitte, driving strategic transformation and innovation to maximise the value we deliver to both our people and our clients.

In this high-impact role, you will work closely with the Head of Professional Education, senior partners in Audit & Assurance (A&A) and across the firm; the Talent & Learning leadership team, the Director of Early Careers, and the Head of Early Experience Learning. You will help to provide strategic leadership and direction to a team of experienced professional qualification managers, ensuring alignment with Deloitte's Purpose, People Priorities, and Values.

Your deep understanding of professional education, combined with your business acumen and strategic vision, will be instrumental in developing and implementing a world-class professional education strategy that supports our learners in achieving their qualifications efficiently while meeting the evolving needs of our business.

Success in this role hinges on your ability to build strong partnerships and foster a collaborative environment. You will work closely with key stakeholders across HR, including Early Careers Resourcing & Recruitment, HR Business Partners, Business Area Learning Teams, Learning & Professional Education Partners, and the Student Advisory Service. By effectively leveraging the expertise and perspectives of these teams, you will ensure the successful transformation of our Professional Education offering and its integration with broader talent initiatives.

• Lead and execute the strategic transformation of our Graduate Audit ACA Training Model for September 2026. This involves collaborating with senior Audit stakeholders to ensure alignment with evolving business needs and optimising student success.
• Drive firm-wide alignment of all professional qualification programmes to deliver a consistent and exceptional student experience while maximising operational efficiency across all business areas.
• Play a leading role in the broader transformation of our Professional Education offering, proactively identifying and implementing innovative professional qualification solutions to address the evolving skills requirements of the business.
• Lead the transition to the 'Next Gen ACA' qualification and manage changes required due to apprenticeship levy funding. Ensure minimal disruption to students and business operations while maximising the benefits of the new programme.
• Leverage deep professional qualification expertise and data-driven insights to continuously review and enhance apprenticeship and firm-wide qualification offerings, ensuring they remain aligned with business needs and reflect best practices.

• Lead strategic engagement with senior partners across Audit and Assurance and firm-wide to shape the vision and direction of our professional education offerings, including the transformation of the Graduate Audit ACA Training Model. Ensure alignment with business objectives and a consistent, high-quality student experience.
• Collaborate with senior partners to develop and implement governance frameworks, policies, and processes for the new Audit ACA programme that enhance its quality and impact. Assess the divergence and applicability of these frameworks to professional education programmes firm-wide.
• Build and nurture strong relationships with key HR stakeholders, including senior business partners, Employee Relations, HR Advisory, Recruitment, Resourcing, Onboarding, and Central Business Services. Drive strategic alignment across HR functions to optimise the student experience, from recruitment and onboarding through to professional qualification and beyond.

• Oversee the operational delivery of professional education programmes, including managing our supplier to deliver the new Audit & Assurance Graduate programme for September 2026, ensuring a seamless, high-quality experience for students.
• Monitor student Institute and Apprenticeship compliance, developing strategies and targeted interventions to improve areas of non-compliance.
• Play a leading role in managing relationships with our third-party suppliers, Central Business Services, and the Student Advisory Service team to define, monitor, and continuously improve service level agreements (SLAs) and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Develop and implement strategies to optimise the efficiency and effectiveness of key operational processes, including exam results management and query resolution.
• Develop and manage strategic partnerships with apprenticeship and professional education providers and professional bodies, ensuring alignment with Deloitte's quality standards and business objectives.
• Negotiate and manage contracts with third-party providers, ensuring value for money and compliance with all relevant regulations.
• Proactively identify and mitigate risks associated with third-party relationships, ensuring business continuity and reputational integrity.
• Represent Deloitte in engagements with external professional bodies, such as the ICAEW, to influence policy development and ensure compliance with industry standards.

• Qualified Chartered Accountant (ACA) with extensive experience in professional education and development, specializing in accounting and tax qualifications (e.g., ACA, ICAS, CFAB, CIMA) or equivalent.
• Proven track record of successfully leading and transforming professional qualification programs within a complex, matrixed organization.
• Deep understanding of apprenticeship policy, levy funding rules, and early careers development frameworks.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with a demonstrated ability to build strong relationships, influence senior leaders, and drive consensus across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong business acumen and analytical skills, with experience using data and insights to inform strategic decision-making and measure programme effectiveness.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex information to a variety of audiences, both written and verbally.
• Proven project management expertise, with a track record of successfully delivering complex initiatives on time and within budget.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate teams to achieve ambitious goals.
• Experience of leading and developing teams.
• Proficient in utilizing digital platforms and analytical tools to enhance program delivery and effectiveness.
• Budget management experience and some experience of third-party contracting and management. You will show a strong commercial orientation to ensure value for money and supplier excellence.
• Experience of the professional services industry is highly desirable.
• A bachelor's degree or international equivalent is essential.

Collaboration is central to everything we do at Deloitte. From IT to HR, marketing and more, our teams help to support the wider business in everything they do. Bringing your individual skills and specialist knowledge, you can make a far-reaching impact. Come join us.

At Deloitte, Human Resources is transforming. We are already an award-winning HR team but we’re not resting there. We want to make an impact that matters for our people, our clients and for society. To achieve this, we’re firmly embedding HR into the business, advising and innovating along with our business leaders.

Regulation and controls are standard practice in our industry and Deloitte is no exception. These controls provide important legal protection for both you and the firm. We are subject to a number of audit regulations, one of which requires that certain colleagues abide by specific personal independence constraints (e.g., in relation to any financial interests and employment relationships).

You’ll be based in one of our UK offices with hybrid working. At Deloitte we understand the importance of balancing your career alongside your home life. That’s why we’ll support you to work flexibly through our hybrid working policy.

Making an impact is more than just what we do: it’s why we’re here. So we work hard to create an environment where you can experience a purpose you believe in, the freedom to be you, and the capacity to go further than ever before.

We want you. The true you. Your own strengths, perspective and personality. So we’re nurturing a culture where everyone belongs, feels supported and heard, and is empowered to make a valuable, personal contribution. You can be sure we’ll take your wellbeing seriously, too.

A career at Deloitte is an opportunity to develop in any direction you choose. Join us and you’ll experience a purpose you can believe in and an impact you can see.