Head of Global Schemes in Cheltenham

Hybrid 2 days a week onsite in Cheltenham

CONTRACT Permanent, Full-Time

REPORTS TO GES Director

SALARY DETAILS Up to £50k

About Ecctis Global Schemes: Ecctis’ Global Schemes provision delivers independent, internationally recognised benchmarking and evaluation of education and qualifications, supporting institutions to demonstrate quality, comparability, and international credibility. Our current work is predominantly focused in China, this includes benchmarking vocational and higher vocational qualifications, such as Zhuan Ke diplomas, against international reference frameworks including the UK Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) and the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).

Purpose of role: The Head of Global Schemes is responsible for the leadership and coordination of Global Schemes activity. Working with senior colleagues, you will support, shape, and deliver the agreed direction of this provision. This role focuses on:

• Quality assurance
• Commercial activity within the Schemes area contributing ideas and proposals to support future development

As part of this role, you will lead the review and further development of Ecctis’ Schemes activity in China, strengthening relationships with partners, managing delivery and reputational risk, and identifying opportunities aligned with organisational priorities. In parallel, you will develop and lead new Schemes initiatives in other international contexts — presenting proposals to senior colleagues for discussion and approval and, once agreed, taking responsibility for delivery and implementation.

Key responsibilities:

• Coordinate and oversee the delivery of Global Schemes activity, maintaining oversight of the project portfolio from contracting to certification.
• Ensure schemes are delivered to agreed standards, timelines, and contractual commitments.
• Review Schemes outputs and provide final sign-off on proposals, reports, and key deliverables.
• Lead sales and marketing activity for Global Schemes within the business area.
• Drive opportunity identification and pipeline development in China and other priority markets.
• Contribute to the development of marketing messages and materials.
• Lead the development of proposals, pricing input, and bid responses.
• Support and participate in commercial discussions with prospective partners and clients.
• Lead the review and development of Schemes activity in China, working with partners and stakeholders.
• Maintain effective relationships with Chinese institutions and other international partners.
• Identify opportunities to adapt and extend Schemes provision in China and internationally.
• Manage the commercial performance of Global Schemes, including revenue, costs, and margins.
• Monitor delivery costs and resource use to support sustainable operations.
• Contribute to forecasting and planning for Schemes activity.
• Act as a senior point of contact for clients and partners within the Schemes area.
• Manage client feedback, issues, and escalations.
• Work collaboratively across Ecctis to support effective delivery and partner confidence.

Team leadership:

• Lead and support the Global Schemes team.
• Set clear objectives, manage performance, and support professional development.
• Promote a culture of quality, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Skills required:

• Strong teamwork and effective communication skills
• Ability to work autonomously, managing a complex personal workload, using own initiative to approach problems and make relevant suggestions to solve them
• Strong qualitative analysis skills
• Ability to write clearly and effectively
• Excellent attention to detail, and can demonstrate high levels of accuracy in their work
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to effectively manage their workload to meet deadlines and manage changing priorities
• Can reflect on own and project performance and find routes for quality enhancement.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office programmes (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).

Person specification:

• Experience working within education, qualifications, training, or a related sector.
• Experience managing or coordinating complex projects, programmes, or portfolios.
• Experience working with external partners or clients in an international or cross-cultural context.
• Experience contributing to sales, marketing, or business development activity.
• Strong written communication skills, including reviewing and contributing to formal reports or proposals.
• Experience managing people or contributing to team leadership.
• Experience working with Chinese organisations or partners.
• Familiarity with benchmarking, evaluation, or quality assurance activity.

Qualifications Values and behaviours:

• Delivery-focused with good professional judgement.
• Collaborative and solutions-oriented.
• Confident working with a range of stakeholders.
• Culturally aware and open to learning.
• Committed to quality and continuous improvement.
• Aligned with Ecctis’ values.

Employee benefits:

• 25 days annual leave plus swappable bank holidays, as well as additional 3 days gifted for the Christmas office closure
• Life assurance of 3 x basic salary for members of the pension scheme
• Vitality Private Health and BUPA Dental Care Scheme with employee contribution
• Enhanced maternity pay
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme

Please note: All applicants must hold a current permit or visa showing their right to work in the UK. The onboarding process will include Basic DBS screening.

To apply: Please apply with your CV and cover letter at recruitment@ecctis.com.

As an Employee Ownership Trust, we do things a little differently from some other organisations. Every one of our employees has a voice and our people are highly motivated and committed. Our structure allows for our combined success as an organisation to be shared equitably across the Company. The trust is indirect, meaning that eligible employees are not shareholders directly, however they are held ‘in-trust’ by the Trust’s Board of Directors.

EDI statement: Ecctis Ltd is committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity and connectedness. The core of our work involves working internationally with individuals all over the globe with different backgrounds. In recruiting for our organisation, Ecctis Ltd is an Equal Opportunities Employer, and welcomes the unique contributions you can bring; therefore, we specifically welcome applicants of all backgrounds, regardless of race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin), sex or gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, or disability. We recruit purely on merit and skills.