Executive: Education, Training and Membership Services

Executive: Education, Training and Membership Services (ETM)

Location: Midrand
Employment Type: Permanent
Reporting to: Chief Executive

Overview of the Opportunity

We are seeking a commercially astute and strategically driven Executive to lead the Education, Training and Membership Services (ETM) function within a highly respected professional body.

This role sits at the intersection of professional standards, education innovation, and member value creation, and will be instrumental in shaping the future of the accounting profession. The successful incumbent will provide strategic oversight across education frameworks, membership growth, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring alignment with both local regulatory requirements and global best practice.

This is a high-impact leadership role, suited to an individual who is passionate about professional excellence, transformation, and driving meaningful industry influence.

Key Strategic Mandate

The Executive will be responsible for:

• Defining and executing a future-fit education and membership strategy

• Driving innovation in professional development frameworks, including competency models, CPD and qualification pathways

• Enhancing member value proposition, engagement and retention

• Positioning the organisation as a leader in professional standards and thought leadership

• Ensuring alignment with global regulatory and professional frameworks

Core Responsibilities

1. Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and implement a forward-thinking ETM strategy aligned to organisational objectives

• Lead the design of cutting-edge competency frameworks and qualification pathways

• Drive digital transformation across education, assessment, and member engagement platforms

• Champion a member-centric culture, ensuring service excellence across all touchpoints

• Position the organisation as a thought leader within the accounting and financial services sector

2. Business Operations & Innovation

• Provide strategic direction to the ETM function, ensuring operational excellence and scalability

• Oversee the development and delivery of education, training and CPD programmes

• Drive membership growth, retention and diversification strategies

• Lead the implementation of technology-enabled member engagement platforms

• Establish frameworks for measuring member satisfaction, engagement and ROI

• Oversee budgeting, resource allocation, and departmental performance

3. Stakeholder & Industry Engagement

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with:

o Professional Accounting Organisations (local and international)

o Regulatory bodies and government stakeholders

o Academic institutions and training providers

• Lead the negotiation of Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) and global partnerships

• Represent the organisation at industry forums and professional platforms

• Drive advocacy initiatives that advance the profession

4. Risk, Governance & Compliance

• Ensure adherence to all professional, regulatory and ethical standards

• Develop and implement robust risk management and quality assurance frameworks

• Oversee accreditation processes and professional conduct standards

• Safeguard organisational reputation through strong governance practices

5. People Leadership

• Lead and develop a high-performing, purpose-driven team

• Drive a culture of accountability, innovation and service excellence

• Oversee talent development, succession planning and performance management

• Promote diversity, inclusion and professional growth within the function

Ideal Candidate Profile

This role requires a seasoned executive with a strong blend of strategic leadership, technical expertise, and stakeholder influence.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Business, Accounting or a related field

• Recognised professional accounting qualification (essential)

• Membership with a recognised professional accounting body

• Additional qualifications in leadership, digital transformation or risk management (advantageous)

Experience

• Minimum 15 years’ experience within the accounting profession, professional body, or related environment

• Proven leadership experience in education, training, or membership functions

• Strong track record in strategic planning and execution at executive level

• Deep understanding of:

o Professional education frameworks (CPD, IPD)

o Regulatory environments and compliance standards

o Membership engagement and growth strategies

• Experience working with tertiary institutions, training models, or professional programmes

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex stakeholder ecosystems and partnerships

• Exposure to digital learning platforms and transformation initiatives

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and visionary leadership

• Commercial acumen and operational excellence

• Stakeholder influence and relationship management

• Innovation and change leadership

• Strong governance, ethics and risk orientation

• Exceptional communication and executive presence

Why This Role?

This is more than a leadership role. It is an opportunity to:

• Shape the future of professional standards and education

• Influence industry-wide transformation

• Drive meaningful impact across a national and global professional community

• Lead within a purpose-driven, high-performance environment