Founded in 1922, the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) is the UK based and internationally recognised qualifying body and learned society for chemical, biochemical and process engineers. We exist to advance chemical engineering’s contribution for the benefit of society.

We support our members in applying their expertise and experience to make an influential contribution to solving major global challenges, and we are the only organisation permitted to award Chartered Chemical Engineer status and Professional Process Safety Engineer registration.

The Head of Professional Standards, reporting to the Director Qualifications and working closely alongside the Head of Qualification Services, Volunteer Engagement Manager, key member committees, and regulators, will play a pivotal role in the delivery of the business plan pertaining to the success of IChemE’s membership and qualifications activities.

They will ensure adherence to both IChemE and regulatory requirements in order to maintain licences and the reputation of the institution, and provide subject matter expertise on qualifications related matters, spanning educational base, initial professional development and competence and commitment requirements, as well as accreditation and other key licensing/registration topics.

The Head of Professional Standards will also advise staff and members on membership and qualifications related to IChemE governance requirements and manage discussions and decisions on potential changes.

• Provide subject matter expertise related to licensing and regulatory requirements to staff (to Directors, COO and Chief Executive level) and members (including Trustees), ensuring compliance on existing activities and assessing any proposed changes against compliance requirements
• Assess, plan and deliver changes driven by governance or regulator; work closely with Head of Qualification Services to assess and deliver new operational new requirements
• Horizon scanning of upcoming changes that may impact IChemE; carry out analysis and communication/consultation as required
• Provide subject matter expertise related to IChemE membership and qualifications governance, ensuring compliance on existing activities and assessing any proposed changes against requirements
• Propose updates to regulations as required and track them to approval/completion
• Ensure processes, guidance and forms align with published regulations etc.
• Advise on matters relating to international/ mutual recognition agreements on qualifications, and represent IChemE at EngC IAP meetings
• Join other working groups as required, to provide or gain subject expertise and represent IChemE’s interests
• Ensure optimisation of peer review committee structure and operation according to regulator and IChemE governance requirements
• Ensure optimisation of processes according to regulator and IChemE governance requirements, ensuring that where process/practice exceed requirements, these are justifiable and clearly documented
• Quality Assurance
• Complete annual regulator reports
• Develop, deliver and keep current subject matter training for staff
• Work with Volunteer Engagement to input to subject matter of initial and ongoing training of the international network of volunteers
• Deliver periodic assessor newsletters etc. and assure assessor feedback loop (in cooperation with Volunteer Engagement) and arrange assessor and ACTS manager conferences
• Develop policy as required
• Support learned society activities as required
• Support the Membership and Qualifications Committee and its sub-committees in relation to matters of good practice and to ensure strategic/business plan activities are delivered and are aligned to regulator and governance requirements
• Provide subject matter ‘discussion content/papers’ to committees and lead discussions to resolution; provide overall secretariat support for the subcommittees
• Share good practice with peers within IChemE and share/gain good practice from peers at other institutions (especially via EngC HoM meeting)
• Co-own, with Director Qualifications, the relationship with regulators, and manage interactions with them, ensuring responses are timely and proportionate
• Monitor and share regulator developments and provide comment as required; lead response on formal consultations
• Working with marketing, assure optimal promotion of the registers
• Produce, update and publish applicant and assessor guidance documentation, ensuring a consistent and accessible approach
• Monitor and report on standards-related data and trends

In addition to duties and responsibilities listed above, the employee may be required to perform other duties assigned by their line manager from time to time.

Due to IChemE’s international nature, this position requires a willingness to work flexibly and to engage in business discussions outside of normal working hours.

The position is based in the Rugby UK office (CV21 3HQ) we are currently working to a minimum of three days from the Rugby office and the remainder working from your UK home location. There will be times when you may be required to attend the workplace on remote working days as and when IChemE requires. Should this happen we will give you reasonable notice.

Only candidates eligible to work in the UK will be considered.

This is a permanent full-time role based on 37.5 hours per week working Monday through to Friday (core hours from 10:00 – 12:00 and 14:30 – 16:00). Flexibility will be required to meet business needs.

Salary £55,000 per annum (depending on experience) plus benefits which includes an excellent pension scheme.

To apply; please complete all areas of the application form including uploading a copy of your CV, right to work and any other relevant information.

Please note that applications sent without a cover letter will not be reviewed.

The closing date for all applications is close of business Wednesday 31 January 2024. IChemE reserves the right to interview exceptional candidates and make an offer of employment before this date should we wish.

IChemE aims to be an equal opportunities employer and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, race and marriage and civil partnerships.

IChemE benefits of employment include:

• Annual performance reviews
• Training and development opportunities
• Company contributory pension scheme that matches employee contributions by 1.5 times up to a maximum capped 12% employer contribution
• Life assurance linked to being an active member of the pension scheme
• 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) for full time members of staff
• Company paid sickness leave after 6 months employment and increased at intervals based on length of service
• Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support
• Health cash plan (cash back on optical, dental, physio and more)
• Financial support to help cover the cost of professional membership subscriptions if relevant to your role
• Free parking and refreshments at our Rugby Office