Internal Only - Accreditation Manager

18468BR

Cardiff Business School

Managerial, Professional and Specialist Staff – MPSS

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This post is currently open to employees of Cardiff University only.  Please do not apply if you do not have a current contract of employment with the University.

Internal Only - Accreditation Manager
Cardiff Business School

Join a fantastic Professional Services team in the world’s first Public Value business school!

An exciting opportunity has arisen to work at Cardiff Business School. The Accreditation Manager will play an active role in maintaining and enhancing Cardiff Business School’s reputation through leading the effective delivery of all activities in relation to the accreditation processes for the three prestigious, international business school accreditations: EQUIS (EFMD Quality Improvement System), AMBA (Association of MBAs) and AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). 

The post holder will be a self-motivated, flexible and committed individual with excellent relationship building, project management and communication skills. They will have knowledge and understanding of accreditation processes and standards and be an excellent communicator. With an eye for detail, they will be able to communicate complex information effectively and will be adept at working collaboratively and building relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders. 

The Accreditation Manager is a senior Professional Services colleague within the School who will work in partnership with the Dean,  Pro Deans for External Engagement and Data, Technology and Systems as well as professional services colleagues within the School and wider University to ensure the effective delivery of all activities in relation to the Business School’s accreditation processes. 

Cardiff Business School is a large and highly successful business school with around 6,000 enrolled students together with 500 staff, PGR tutors and associated education providers. Cardiff Business School’s distinctive and progressive Public Value mission, which balances economic, social and environmental impact, is at the heart of all of its endeavours.

The School offers a full range of over 100 undergraduate, postgraduate taught, postgraduate research, professional and executive programmes across and between its five core academic disciplines, and also increasingly with other schools within the University. The School is an integral part of the AHSS College and Cardiff University and, given its extensive academic community, together with its turnover of around £60M, its successful operation and future sustainability are key elements in the long term prosperity of the University.

This post is full-time (35 hours per week), advertised on an open-ended basis and is available immediately.

Salary: £39,347 - £44,263 per annum (Grade 6) 

Cardiff Business School
Cardiff Business School is a leading business and management school in the UK, holding AACSB and AMBA accreditations and ranked 1st for its Research Environment and 2nd on Research Power (REF2021). The School has a Public Value purpose and focuses on the co-creation of high quality, interdisciplinary education and knowledge that delivers economic, social and environmental value. The School’s activities are oriented towards five Grand Challenges: Decent work , fair and sustainable economies , future organisations , good governance , and responsible innovation ..

Closing date: Wednesday, 10 April 2024

External applications are currently not being considered for this post.  If the decision is made to open the post to external candidates, the strapline at the top will be removed and you will be given ample time to apply – please check back periodically for details.

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Job Description

Job Purpose
You will oversee and ensure the effective delivery of all activities in relation to the accreditation processes for the three prestigious, international business school accreditations: EQUIS (EFMD Quality Improvement System), AMBA (Association of MBAs) and AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). You will also be called upon, as required by the School’s Public Value strategy, to lead and support other relevant school-level accreditations, e.g. PRME. 

In partnership with members of the School’s Accreditation Steering Group (which includes the Dean, Pro Deans and School Manager), you will provide expert advice and guidance on accreditation activities, oversee the planning, coordination and submission of annual reports, including the provision of high quality drafts, develop close working relationships with the accreditation bodies,  including representing the School and University at a range of national and international events, co-ordinate accreditation visits and implement plans to ensure that actions raised through reviews and visits are embedded in School strategic development and operational plans.

You will maintain up to date knowledge of the requirements of the accreditation bodies, cascading knowledge of accreditation standards within the School and liaising and networking with peer institutions, both at national and international level, representing the School and University. 

Working closely with Accreditation and Information Officer, who you will line manage, and the School’s Pro-Dean (Technology, Systems and Data), you will lead on the development, implementation and oversight of data management requirements to underpin these accreditation process and to inform the work of the School’s Rankings and League Tables Group.  

Working in collaboration with the External Engagement team and the Pro Dean for External Engagement, you will also provide leadership, support and guidance for the School’s arrangements for accreditation visits.

The role sits within the School Office of the Business School and is line managed by the School Manager with academic leadership coming from the Dean. The role holder will be a member of the School’s Professional Services Leadership Team and will play an active part in the wider development of the School’s 90-strong professional services team.

Duties and Responsibilities
Key Duties
•    Coordinate the School’s portfolio of accreditation activities relating to EQUIS, AMBA and AACSB, and other bodies as required, e.g. PRME, Small Business Charter, acting as the first point of contact on matters relating to accreditation from the accrediting bodies, members of Cardiff Business School and other University staff;
•    Provide expert advice and information on the requirements and expectations of accrediting bodies to the Dean, School’s Accreditation Steering Group and academic and Professional Services colleagues;
•    Provide high-level support and coordination through maintaining a detailed schedule and annual timetable for accreditation and re-accreditation activities, deadlines and submissions to ensure all aspects of the requirements are captured and there is regular reporting on progress against agreed milestones to the Dean and Accreditation Steering Group;
•    Represent the School in the management of professional working relationships with key accreditation groups and bodies and national/ international networks through regular attendance at appropriate conferences, workshops and networking events both nationally and internationally;
•    In conjunction with Accreditation and Information Officer and the Pro-Dean ( Technology, Systems and Data), develop and manage accreditation systems, processes and data collection/analysis as required to inform the accreditation process;

continued below

Person Specification

Your application will be assessed against the following essential and desirable criteria for the role. Please copy and paste this section into a new document and give clear examples of how you can evidence meeting each criteria by writing under each one. You can draw on elements from any aspect of your life (e.g. work, home, education/qualifications or community life) as long as you focus on their relevance to the role.

Please save your supporting statement in a separate document with the title [YOURNAME-18468BR-JOB TITLE] and attach it to your application in the recruitment system,available here.

Please note that these are also the criteria shortlisted applicants will be assessed against at interview and/or by other means (e.g. a skills test).

Person Specification 

Essential Criteria 
1.    Degree/NVQ 4 or equivalent work-related experience.
2.    Experience of working in an accreditation role in a large and complex organisation.
3.    Evidence of the ability to demonstrate expert professional knowledge to give advice and guidance on complex processes and regulatory matters to internal and external stakeholders.
4.    Strong project management and coordination skills including experience of initiation, execution, tracking and evaluation of initiatives and activities.
5.    Excellent analytical and report writing skills with the ability to communicate detailed and complex information effectively and professionally with a wide range of people within the organisation and externally.
6.    Proven ability to shape developments through active participation within teams and groups.
7.    Excellent and proven relationship management skills with experience of managing the requirements of stakeholders and establishing appropriate professional networks, both internally and externally, at senior level.
8.    Evidence of ability to identify and solve expansive problems using initiative and creativity;  identify and propose both practical and innovative solutions, using detailed understanding of methodologies to select the right approach.
9.    Excellent data management and IT skills including the ability to collate, analyse, interpret and present large amounts of complex, interlinked, data.
10.    Experience of managing a team, including evidence of planning the work of a team, reacting to changes in workload and priority, and dealing with performance and welfare issues.

Desirable Criteria 
11.    Knowledge and experience of business school accreditation systems: AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS, in addition to wider systems such as UNPRME, to includes a clear understanding of the standards and requirements of each.
12.    An awareness of national and international rankings and league tables relevant to a Business School.
13.    Relevant Postgraduate/Professional qualification.
14.    Fluency in Welsh, written or oral.

Additional Information

Key Duties Continued
•    Contribute to the compilation of the School’s external accreditation applications/ reports, preparing high quality draft submission documents for review as required and coordinating input from colleagues across the School and wider University;
•    In collaboration with the External Engagement team and Pro-Dean (External Engagement), plan and coordinate logistics for accreditation visits, including coordinating input and representation from the School, students and other teams across the University and facilitating communication with visiting accreditation teams;
•    Provide briefings and training sessions on accreditation standards for School and University staff and external stakeholders involved in accreditation visits to ensure roles, responsibilities and procedures are clearly understood;
•    Help to ensure the implementation of accreditation panel recommendations in a timely and effective manner and monitor and report on progress;
•    Raise awareness of accreditation requirements to help foster a culture of continuous improvement in the School;
•    Maintain professional knowledge of accreditation requirements and ensure all stakeholders are kept up to date with changing accreditation standards and requirements;
•    In collaboration with College and University colleagues, develop a comprehensive communications and promotion strategy to actively promote accreditation activity and achievements to the School, wider University and stakeholders (such as the School’s International Advisory Board);
•    Manage the School’s accreditation budget ensuring that the appropriate level of expenditure is requested and that spend is monitored in conjunction with the School Manager and AHSS Management Accounts team;
•    Support the work of the School’s Rankings and League Tables Group through providing insights on benchmarking, research and data gained from accreditation networks to inform the School’s approach towards strategically important rankings;
•    Be an active member of the School’s Professional Services Leadership Team and Professional Services Section as well as wider University level networks.

General Duties
•    Ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties;
•    Exercise personal responsibility, judgement and initiative, with minimal supervision;
•    Abide by all University policies and undergo appropriate personal and professional development;
•    Uphold the University’s Professional Services Values & Behaviours;
•    Contribute to a positive culture within Cardiff Business School, aligned with the School’s wider Public Value ethos;
•    Perform other duties which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role.

Additional Information
Must be willing to work out of hours on occasion and to undertake national and international travel.

Job Category

Management & Executive