Accreditation & Professional Certification Manager

The Royal Statistical Society is seeking an Accreditation & Professional Certification Manager to lead and expand our prestigious accreditation schemes, including a new data science accreditation launching in 2025. This is a unique opportunity to work at the heart of the statistical and data science community, building relationships with universities and institutions, managing professional certification processes, and supporting the development of high standards in education and training. The ideal candidate will have at least 1 year's managerial experience, have worked in accreditation or standards-based roles, strong organisational and communication skills, and a passion for advancing professional excellence.

We offer flexible working arrangements, and this is a hybrid role with an average of two days a week working in the central London office.

Title:Accreditation & Professional Certification Manager

Salary: £36,000 (Band C)

Working Hours: Full time 35 hours per week.This is a hybrid role with an average of two days per week working in the office.

Term: Permanent.

Reports to: Head of Standards and Corporate Relations.

Location: Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4LT (temporary) with permanent location in central London.

Background:

Our vision is a world where data is at the heart of understanding and decision-making Founded in 1834, the Royal Statistical Society (RSS) is one of the world’s leading organisations advocating for the importance of statistics and data. We’re a professional body for all statisticians and data scientists – wherever they may live.

We have more than 12,000 individual members in the UK and across the world. As a charity, we advocate for the key role of statistics and data in society, and work to ensure that policy formulation and decision making are informed by evidence for the public good.

The membership of the Royal Statistical Society (RSS) constitutes a preeminent source of statistical expertise. Members work with RSS staff to support our work across areas such as policy development, education, training, statistical communication, and statistical literacy.

About RSS Accreditation

The RSS Accreditation scheme accredits university degree courses. It provides a valuable endorsement for institutions offering programmes in statistics and data science.

There are currently two types of accreditation, with a third launching in 2025:

• RSS Accredited University (Honors or Masters Degrees) RSS Quality Mark (Individual modules or training courses). Launching in 2025: Data Science degree accreditation.

Universities and institutions that have their degree courses(s) accredited by the RSS help make their students aware that professional certification is available to their graduates.

Graduates from accredited courses will meet the relevant educational requirements for RSS Professional Certifications. RSS professional certifications recognise individual statisticians and data scientists whose skills, experience and professionalism are alongside that of other chartered designations. The RSS currently offers five professional certifications.

By awarding accreditation, we aim to ensure that teaching, learning and assessment within a programme/course/module is of high quality and meets the needs of students and employers. The accreditation scheme also provides students with a competitive edge in a challenging job market.

The Professional Affairs Committee is responsible for the accreditation of university courses, professional certifications and code of conduct.

Job purpose:

The purpose of this role is to manage the RSS accreditation scheme and deliver accreditation in the new category of data science courses. You will do this by building relationships with universities and supporting them with their accreditation application. Following accreditation, you will work to develop the pipeline leading to the award of individual professional qualifications.

Key Responsibilities:

• Engaging with and developing and managing relationships with new and accredited institutions to facilitate applications and renewals.
• Managing the application portal and process for both individuals and institutions applying for professional certification and accreditation.
• Working with the Head of Standards and Corporate Relations to manage the meetings, minutes and actions of the Professional Affairs Committee.
• Engaging with internal stakeholders to support necessary tasks, including but not limited to RSS Trustees, members, volunteers and assessors.
• Working with the Head of Standards and Corporate Relations to facilitate relationships with external stakeholders, especially the Alliance for Data Science Professionals.
• Working with the Head of Standards and Corporate Relations to design and deliver the operational plan for business as usual activities, including the newly created data science certification and accreditation.
• Monitor and report on progress and performance against targets using CRM and other methods.
• Manage the budget for the accreditation services.
• Manage and promote the RSS Mentoring platform, working with the Head of Standards and Corporate Relations to further develop our mentoring offering.
• Provide ad-hoc support to the Head of Standards and Corporate Relations and Director for Professional Services.
• Participate in wider RSS initiatives including the delivery of programmes to support the RSS Strategy.

The role may involve representing the RSS at both external and internal events to promote the RSS and Alliance work. Some travel outside London requiring occasional overnight stays may be required, for which time off in lieu will be given where appropriate.

Professional Services Team: 

The Professional Services Team are responsible for the professional affairs activities which are the creation, maintenance and application of standards and, certification and accreditation schemes. The teams' work is key to member recruitment, engagement and retention. 

Key internal relationships are with Head of Professional Standards and Corporate Relations, Corporate and Membership Development Manager, Administrator, Director of Professional Services, volunteer members of the Professional Affairs Committee and assessors.Key external relationships are with universities and educational institutions.

Essential Person Specification:

Knowledge / Qualifications / Experience:

• 1 year previous experience managing a service, function or project
• 2 years’ experience delivering an accreditation, qualification, assessment or standards function
• Experience of managing/co-ordinating committee meetings, taking notes and action points and writing minutes
• Working with and improving business processes or standard operating procedures
• Experience of using CRM and CMS to manage processes

Skills / Abilities:

• Strong communication and writing skills, able to confidently and concisely communicate information to a wide range of people
• Ability to develop working relationships internally and with external stakeholders
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workload and work under pressure
• Strong co-ordination and planning skills and attention to detail
• Ability to evaluate information and communicate effectively
• Ability to work on own initiative as well as being part of a high-performing team

Personal Qualities

• Committed to on-going personal and professional development
• Desirable Person Specification:

Knowledge / Qualifications / Experience:

• Experience of a professional membership organisation and working with stakeholders/volunteers
• Experience of using CRM sales functions, ideally Microsoft Dynamics to record and monitor Key Performance Indicators

Personal Qualities

• Interest in data science and the ability to work effectively with subject matter experts

Working for the RSS 

Pension and benefits 

Our defined contribution pension scheme can be joined after three months in post. Your contributions of up to 8% of salary will be double matched by the Society (making a maximum contribution by the Society of 16%). A training budget, season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme and employee assistance programme are also available.

Location 

The RSS office is in central London. We offer flexible working arrangements, and this is a hybrid role with an average of two days a week working in the office. In person attendance for certain meetings is required, including all-staff / team meetings and governance / committee meetings that take place in person.

There may be some travel outside London requiring occasional overnight stays may be required, for which time off in lieu will be given where appropriate.

Holidays 

 25 days per annum, plus bank holidays and an additional shut down between Christmas and New Year. 

Probation 

This post is subject to a six-month probation period. 

How to apply 

Applications should be sent by an email via the button below and be in the form of a supporting statement telling us: 

Why you should be considered for the role and how it fits with your career How your skills and experience align with the person specification. Please also send us your CV. Applications by CV-only will not be considered.

Any questions about the role should also be directed by an email.

The deadline for applications is 10 June 2025. We will arrange for interviews to be held on the 24 and 26 June.