Job details
- Responsible to: Director of Derby International Business School
- Location: Cavendish Building, Derby Campus
- Closing date: Monday 30 November 2026
- Salary: £39,051 to £46,653 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £53,650.95 per annum)
- Job grade: MPS 1
- Reference: 0335-26
- Contract type: Fixed term contract 12 months
- Post type: Full-time
- Adaptive working type: Hybrid. This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location with the opportunity to work remotely available in line with our Adaptive Working Framework.
About the University
We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.
The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.
We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.
Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.
About the College/Department
Based in our state-of-the-art, £75 million Cavendish Building in the heart of Derby, Derby International Business School is not just educating future business leaders, we are shaping innovators, disruptors, and pioneers ready to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. As a globally connected, regionally grounded and impact-focused Business School, we are committed to empowering people and organisations through applied, industry-integrated business education that prepares graduates for the challenges and opportunities of the future.
Our diverse portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate courses spans disciplines including accounting, business management, international business, economics and finance, marketing, operations, supply chain and logistics, event management, and tourism management. Each programme is carefully designed to combine academic excellence with practical relevance, equipping students with the knowledge, skills, professional behaviours and strategic mindset required to succeed in an increasingly complex global business environment.
We pride ourselves on our commitment to academic excellence, industry relevance and positive societal impact. Our curriculum is designed in partnership with leading organisations such as PwC, Rolls-Royce, and local enterprise hubs, ensuring our graduates develop the capabilities employers increasingly value, including critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, adaptability and digital fluency. Through strong regional and national partnerships, students benefit from placements, networking opportunities, consultancy projects and real-world learning experiences that bridge the gap between theory and practice.
The Cavendish Building plays a central role in delivering this vision, providing a technology-enabled environment where students, staff and external partners collaborate to address real organisational challenges. As a living laboratory for business education, it supports the integration of learning, research, enterprise and engagement, creating opportunities for innovation, experimentation and impact.
Our programmes are accredited by leading professional bodies including CIMA, ACCA, CIM and CIPD, alongside internationally recognised organisations such as EFMD and PRME, reflecting our commitment to quality, credibility and continuous improvement in business education. We are ambitious for the future and are building on our strengths in applied learning, employer engagement, global partnerships and impactful research to create a distinctive Business School that contributes to better business, better society and a better future.
About the role
We are seeking an Accreditations Manager to oversee the following substantive tasks:
- Management of all school level accreditations
- Management of associated data requirements
- Compliance with all accreditation milestones, including memberships and fees
- Completion of compulsory accreditation surveys, and their associated data collection requirements
- Compilation of associated base-room requirements
Accreditation bodies increasingly demand robust evidence, consistent performance monitoring, embedded quality assurance structures and demonstrable commitment to continuous improvement.
This role will be the central point of expertise and oversight for all accreditation related activity. The post holder will analyse requirements, coordinate data collection across multiple teams, produce high quality reports and submissions, and ensure that governance processes within the school align with accreditation standards.
About You
We are seeking a highly organised and proactive professional educated to degree level, or with equivalent professional qualifications and experience, who has a strong background in project management within a Higher Education setting. The successful candidate will have proven experience of managing accreditation activity, supporting the preparation, coordination and delivery of professional, statutory and regulatory body submissions, reviews and approvals, ensuring compliance with quality standards and regulatory requirements.
You will possess strong data management and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex information, produce insightful reports and support evidence-based decision-making. An excellent understanding of the Higher Education sector is essential, including knowledge of the challenges, opportunities and regulatory frameworks that shape universities and academic provision. Through your expertise, you will play a key role in supporting continuous improvement, maintaining academic quality standards and contributing to the successful delivery of institutional and strategic objectives.
Principal accountabilities
- To lead on accreditation processes e.g. CABS Small Business Charter, EFMD Programme Accreditations and AACSB Accreditation, providing high-level project management support to the Derby International Business School, to initiate and coordinate accreditation activity.
- Proactively engage with School stakeholders to ensure key strategies and objectives are implemented and monitored, in line with the Schools’ commitment to continuous improvement and as part of the accreditation process.
- Work closely with the School’s Leadership Team to ensure quality and accreditation activity is embedded in and very much part of the Schools’ governance processes.
- Forge relationships with key stakeholders both internal and external to facilitate the accreditation process.
- To project manage the accreditation processes such as EFMD, AACSB and CABS SBC .
- Act as central point of contact in for all matters related to School accreditation.
- Manage and lead an accreditation Communications Plan to engage key stakeholders across the University in accreditation processes.
- Provide progress and project reports and briefings at senior management group meetings, and to other stakeholders as appropriate.
- Provide regular reports to senior management on accreditation activity, escalating risks and issues with recommendations for mitigation.
- Initiate and co-ordinate input to accreditation reports, data sheets and peer review visits from key stakeholders across the School, wider University and from external stakeholders.
- Manage the planning and organisation of Peer Review visits, including co-ordination of attendees for panel meetings; oversee the organisation of travel and hospitality for the external panel members.
- Alongside the Strategic Insights and Planning team undertake benchmarking, both nationally and internationally to gather intelligence and complete surveys as appropriate to support accreditation activity.
- Attend conferences and seminars to increase understanding of accreditation, initiate, and build key networks with other institutions and organisations.
- Work with and lead activity within other teams both within the Registry, Colleges, and also with teams such as Strategic Insights and Planning, People Experience and Culture (PEC) and Research teams to ensure the timely production of data required to meet the requirements of accreditation criteria.
- To manage the collection, indexing and preparation of all materials and evidence for the accreditation process. Identify ways to facilitate cross-referencing and management of materials and evidence to meet differing accreditation processes and criteria.
- To take a proactive approach to understanding stakeholders and how we can best meet their needs; work together in a mutually supportive way and towards shared priorities; assist at University and College wide events where required; respond to enquiries from staff, students and visitors in a professional and customer-focused manner.
- Undertake other duties and projects as may be reasonably required in accordance with the grade of the post.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
Qualifications
- Educated to degree level or equivalent professional qualification or experience
Experience
- Experience in a Higher Education project management role
- Accreditations management experience
- Experience of Process and Policy development
- Experience of data management and analysis
- Experience in creating and maintaining positive relationships
Skills, knowledge & abilities
- Understanding of universities / Higher Education
- Effective communication and influencing skills, including the ability to draft papers and other communication pieces for a variety of audiences
- Exceptional interpersonal skills
- Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse range of people (both within and external to the Colleges and University including students and corporate partners, as well as staff at all levels)
- Driven and focused with the ability to work independently
- Effective team leader
- Strong attention to detail and a commitment to getting things right the first time
- Exceptional planning and time management skills
- Ability to work flexibly and manage a complex workload effectively
- Excellent IT skills including Microsoft Office (especially Word, Excel & PowerPoint)
- Ability to present a professional image of the University and the Colleges
- Ability to work independently and in teams to influence others and complete projects
Business requirements
- The University is committed to ensuring a positive work life balance for all staff and it is within this context that you will be expected to work flexibly which, dependent upon the needs of the post, may include occasional evening or weekend working or international travel
- Willingness to provide support at University events from time to time e.g., Graduation, Clearing and Open Days, (some of these events occur outside of normal working hours, such as evenings and weekends)
Desirable Criteria
Qualifications
- Professional qualifications in Project Management
Experience
- Previous experience in Business School accreditations
Skills, knowledge and abilities
- Understanding of a Business School environment
- Understanding of how governance frameworks support effective decision making and communication
- Knowledge of AACSB, EFMD and CABS SBC accreditations
Benefits
- Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
- Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
- Discounted onsite gym
- Holiday purchase
- Cycle to Work scheme
- A flexible working environment
- A commitment to personal and professional development
Key contact
For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Alexandra Charles, Director of Derby International Business School via A.Charles@derby.ac.uk
For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk.
Important information
Visa Sponsorship Eligibility
The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.
Equity, diversity and inclusion
The University of Derby is committed to fostering an open, inclusive and diverse community where everyone is treated with dignity, fairness and respect. We are committed to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex or sexual orientation.
As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to inclusive recruitment and welcome requests for adjustments throughout the recruitment process. Applicants may choose their preferred title, including 'Mx', and may share preferred pronouns if they wish. We also use anonymised shortlisting to help reduce the potential impact of unconscious bias. For more information on equity, diversity and inclusion at the University of Derby, please visit our website.
We are also committed to promoting academic freedom and freedom of speech and expression within the law, in line with our Code of Practice, and value diversity of thought alongside diversity of backgrounds and experiences.
However you identify, we welcome applications from people whose experiences, perspectives and talents will contribute to our inclusive, supportive and intellectually vibrant community.
Environmental Sustainability
At the University of Derby, we are passionate about embedding sustainability into everything that we do. We aim to bring environmental sustainability into all aspects of the University, including teaching, research and operational activities. In line with the University's strategic framework, we expect all our staff to embed sustainability into their working practices and support the University's objective to reach net zero carbon by 2050.
Be part of something extraordinary, apply now.
How to apply
You can apply by submitting an online application. Once you have signed in or registered with us you will be able to begin your application. If you are creating an account for the first time, please ensure you provide an email address that you access regularly as this will be our main means of contacting you regarding your application.
The University reserves the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
If you require any assistance, including the provision of any documentation in an alternative format, please contact the Recruitment team at recruitment@derby.ac.uk.
Please note all applications must be submitted online by Midnight GMT on the closing date of the vacancy.
The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.
Please find our Safeguarding pages including our Safeguarding Policy.
