Professional Development Executive
Term: 12 - 18 month fixed purpose contract
Hours: full time
Location: Chartered Accountants Ireland, Dublin
Chartered Accountants Ireland (The Institute) is a membership body representing 32,000 influential members throughout the globe. Our role is to educate, represent and support our members. Our members work in senior positions in practice and industry. We are committed to restoring confidence at every level of the economy. We work with governments and businesses to raise awareness of the importance of sound financial advice.
Institute Values
The Institute seeks to ensure an environment based on its values of Innovation with Ambition, Collaboration for Impact, Speed and Simplicity, Trust, Inclusion, and For Tomorrow, For Good. Candidates should be able to demonstrate how these may apply to them in the role for which they are applying and how their previous experience is relevant to them.
The role:
This role will play a pivotal role in the Professional Development team who are responsible for the planning and development of CPD and Specialist Qualifications and the generation of circa €2m in income per year. It will take responsibility for the operation and growth of in-house training, working with clients to deliver tailor-made training solutions. The role will also support the member experience team in an administrative capacity.
Role expectations:
In-House Training:
- Marketing and Promotion:
- Taking ownership of marketing and promotion efforts for in-house training, including brochures and website
- Collaborate with the marketing team to maximize awareness, utilizing social channels such as LinkedIn to promote.
- Develop a deep understanding of the market, staying informed about developments and trends.
- Engage and work with client engagement team to maximise support and return.
- Client Management:
- Manage relationships with key clients, ensuring regular positive communication.
- Collaborate with the professional development accountant to identify suitable speakers and a build speaker database.
- Business Development:
- Drive business development by acquiring and developing new clients.
- Expand existing relationships to increase volumes and margins.
- Financial:
- Meet income and margin targets for in-house training.
- Maintain detailed financial records of income and costs, promptly raising invoices post in-house sessions while meeting client PO or other requirements.
- Training proposals and tenders:
- Project manage responses to requests for tenders and training proposals, preparing high-quality proposals in a timely manner.
- Develop a consistent training proposal model.
- Speaker Management:
- Confirm schedule and operational details with speakers and clients – timing, format etc.
- Support in-house sessions by organizing logistics, both in-person and virtual, and assisting speakers and learners/client, providing support on the day and around events/courses.
- Evaluate speaker performance and use results to enhance future sessions.
Member Experience
1. Responding to Queries:
- Manage the main CPD inbox, promptly addressing and resolving participant queries and concerns.
- Provide clear and comprehensive responses to inquiries regarding course details, schedules, and related information.
2. Participant Communication:
- Coordinate the dissemination of all course-related information to participants, including joining instructions, course materials, follow-up surveys, and any relevant updates.
3. Database Maintenance:
Oversee the maintenance of the CPD database, including course creation, updating attendance records, and issuing course completion certificates.
4. Course Administration:
- Handle queries and requests related to course cancellations and deferrals, providing necessary assistance and guidance to participants.
- Work closely with relevant stakeholders to address any course-related issues or adjustments promptly.
5. Financial Management:
- Generate Purchase Orders (POs) and maintain payment records for all department expenses.
6. Membership Certificates
- Issue both hard copy and digital version of ACA/FCA Certificate on request
The candidate
Experience
- Ideally the successful candidate will have 2- 3 years’ experience in a customer facing role.
- A third level qualification would be an advantage.
- A high degree of organization, specifically a demonstrated ability to plan and organize work in advance.
- A friendly and personable manner, capable of developing and sustaining positive relationships with stakeholders.
- Excellent time management skills: the ability to maintain performance while managing multiple priorities.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Highly flexible and adaptable to changing requirements and priorities.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Strong administration skills.
- The successful candidate will display strong Microsoft Office (Word, Excel & PowerPoint) and be open to learning new technology and to its application.
Competencies
- This position requires a person with strong project management, communication and people skills.
- An eye for detail and a keen understanding of marketing principles, and the ability to take ownership of a project and to foster positive client relationships.
- The successful candidate will contribute to both the strategic and operational aspects of in-house training working to establish it as a strong contributor to the CPD portfolio. They will also be an important part of the development of the annual CPD programme working closely with the professional development accountant to put in place a compelling programme.
Flexible work arrangements
The Institute is seeking and encourages applications from experienced candidates who may be looking for flexible work arrangements. If such arrangements are being sought please bring these to the attention of your interviewer.
The Institute will use the information which you have provided in this form to respond to your request or process your application and will hold and protect it in accordance with the Institute's privacy statement, which explains your rights in relation to your personal data. By submitting this application acknowledge you have read our privacy statement.
Chartered Accountants Ireland is an equal opportunities employer.
How to apply:
Please complete your CV and cover letter and send via email to hr@charteredaccountants.ie.
You may post applications to the HR department:
Human Resource Department
Chartered Accountants Ireland
Chartered Accountants House
47 Pearse Street,
Dublin 2,
Ireland.
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