Executive Director - Learning in Edinburgh

ICAS is a global professional membership organisation and business network for Chartered Accountants. We are an educator, regulator, examiner, and a professional awarding body. Our smart and talented team comes from all walks of life. With a relaxed dynamic and a collaborative spirit, we take care of each other while supporting a vibrant, global membership. We are proud of the difference we can make to a profession that is transforming to meet the urgent environmental and social challenges of our changing world and committed to improving the quality of our education, assessment, and student experience.

This is a high impact leadership role with strategic focus and responsibility for shaping the future of our CA qualification and wider learning portfolio. You will set and drive the learning vision, ensuring our programmes remain innovative, future focused and aligned with regulatory and professional standards. As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will lead one of the largest areas of the organisation and play an influential role in driving growth, quality and excellence across ICAS.

We need an inspiring, strategic leader who can champion innovation in professional education. Someone who is confident engaging with senior internal and external stakeholders, from global professional bodies to major firms, and who can represent ICAS as a thought leader in the accountancy education landscape. You will bring the presence, credibility and collaborative mindset needed to lead a large team and to contribute meaningfully at executive level.

You will be an experienced senior leader in professional or higher education, confident, with a proven track record of shaping learning strategy and guiding teams through innovation and change. With demonstrable credibility in qualifications frameworks and the accountancy profession, you will combine strategic thinking with a visible, inclusive leadership style that inspires others. You will be an approachable, energetic leader who builds solid relationships, communicates with impact, and drives innovation and continuous improvement across teams and learning experiences. You will also bring the judgement, communication skills and external presence needed to represent ICAS and influence at executive and sector level.

• Leadership strength to inspire and coach a high-performing team while embedding ICAS values and cultivating a collaborative, inclusive culture.
• Excellent relationship-building skills, enabling you to partner effectively with external bodies, clients, firms and global networks to enhance ICAS reputation and support organisational growth.
• Credibility as an ambassador and thought leader, representing ICAS on influential global boards, panels and internal governance groups.
• Cross-organisational collaboration, working closely with colleagues, especially Marketing and Business Development, to drive student growth and support ICAS-wide initiatives.
• Sound commercial judgement, with the ability to manage the Learning Team budget and contribute strategically to organisation-wide planning and executive-level discussion.

The job is based at our Head Office in CA House, Haymarket, Edinburgh.

Executive package details available on request. ICAS places equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of all that we do. With our partner organisations, we are committed to building a diverse membership and workforce that is beneficial for all, and that enables our communities to learn, grow and advance together.

Please note we are not an institute that can provide sponsorship, therefore a valid right to work in the UK is required for this role.