Head of Learning & Development in Manchester

Reports to: CEO

Location: Hybrid – working remotely and attending ICB’s London office and external meetings and events as required

Hours: Full-time (35 hours/week)

Salary: Competitive

Role Purpose

The Head of Learning & Development is a senior leadership role at ICB, responsible for the vision, strategy, and operational delivery of all learning and development activity. This includes oversight of ICB’s qualifications, Ofqual-regulated apprenticeships, CPD, and global member development.

As Responsible Officer for Apprenticeships, you’ll ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks and maintain the highest standards in vocational education. You’ll also lead the design of a new UK syllabus and the development of a consolidated global syllabus strategy to ensure relevance, consistency, and scalability across markets.

At the heart of this role is a commitment to ICB’s values: purpose, passion and progress. You’ll help learners across the world achieve their goals, whether that’s starting a new career, launching a business, or becoming the finance backbone of their organisation. This is not a traditional academic role. We’re looking for a commercially-aware, hands-on leader who sees the opportunity in vocational education and lifelong learning, and is ready to build something ambitious and future-facing.

About ICB

The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) is the largest bookkeeping body in the world. We support tens of thousands of students and members in 100+ countries and operate a network of approved learning centres in 15 countries. We deliver exams online and on demand, and we’re scaling to meet the needs of a changing profession. We believe that bookkeepers are vital to the economy and that with the right support and qualifications, they can change lives and businesses for the better.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership
  • Lead the development and execution of ICB’s future-ready learning and development strategy
  • Embed ICB’s values - purpose, passion, and progress into every element of the learner journey
  • Work with the CEO and Executive team to set and achieve learning KPIs, growth targets, and commercial objectives
  • Lead, motivate, and develop a small, capable team of three direct reports
• Syllabus Design & Qualification Strategy
  • Oversee a full review and redesign of ICB’s UK syllabus
  • Lead the consolidation of global syllabuses into a unified, scalable framework
  • Inspire the next generation of learners and support the profession to redefine itself in a changing world
  • Ensure all qualifications reflect evolving business, technological, and sustainability demands
  • Collaborate with external experts and training providers to ensure quality, rigour, and relevance
• Apprenticeships (Responsible Officer)
  • Act as ICB’s official Responsible Officer for Apprenticeships
  • Ensure compliance with Ofqual and Skills England regulatory standards
  • Support and expand apprenticeship provision with training partners and employers
  • Act as the key liaison for regulatory reporting and audits
• Operational Excellence & Learner Success
  • Own the end-to-end learner experience from enrolment to qualification and membership
  • Use data to monitor learner outcomes and drive improvements in engagement, retention, and success
  • Ensure learning pathways are inclusive, accessible, and responsive to learner needs
  • Build new products and services that support learners’ career development and CPD goals and ensure that graduates are relevant and in-demand
• Training Provider & International Partnerships
  • Oversee relationships with ICB’s Accredited Training Providers in the UK and internationally
  • Ensure providers understand and align with ICB’s standards, values, and growth strategy
  • Provide leadership and support to help centres succeed and scale with ICB
  • Explore new partnerships and models to grow ICB’s presence and impact globally
• Member Development & CPD
  • Shape and deliver a CPD strategy that keeps members future-ready, professionally competent, confident, and in-demand
  • Introduce development programmes that support members through every stage of their career - student, practitioner, in-house bookkeeper, business owner, fractional CFO, and mentor
  • Champion innovation in CPD delivery, including AI-assisted learning, microcredentials, and international alignment

Person Specification

Essential

• Senior experience within a professional or public body, awarding organisation, or other regulated environment (including commercial organisations with compliance grade processes).
• Proven success leading through external audits/monitoring, addressing actions and strengthening controls without slowing delivery.
• A recognised professional qualification in accounting or bookkeeping

Desirable

• Experience operating to Ofqual Conditions of Recognition and/or within an End-Point Assessment Organisation (assessment design, quality assurance, standard setting, appeals/malpractice handling).
• Familiarity with apprenticeship standards and working with IfATE/ESFA/Skills England.
• Experience in accountancy/bookkeeping practice and/or membership of an accountancy professional body.
• Background in vocational/technical education, including international syllabus alignment or market entry.
• Knowledge of digital learning platforms and online/on-demand assessment models.

You’ll thrive in this role if you are:

• A strategic thinker who can also roll up your sleeves and deliver
• Entrepreneurial and commercially-minded, but grounded in purpose
• Passionate about education and empowering learners
• Ready to lead a team and collaborate across departments and borders
• Excited by the future of learning
• Able to balance innovation with regulatory and operational rigour
• Someone who builds relationships easily and brings others with you

If this role excites you, even if you don’t meet all of our requirements, we encourage you to apply. You might be exactly the person we’re looking for.

Why Work for ICB?

ICB is small in headcount and big in impact, and every team member has the opportunity to make their mark. We are grounded in Purpose, fuelled by Passion, and committed to Progress. You’ll be helping learners around the world realise their dreams, while driving the evolution of the profession. We offer flexible working, a supportive and values-driven culture, regular social events, your birthday off, and five extra days’ leave at Christmas.