Professional Development Manager Full Time NEW

Job title:        Professional Development Manager

Reports to:    Chief Executive 

Job Type:       FTC (14 months)   

Location:        Hybrid: Home-based with at least 1-day a month in office (Milton Keynes)

Start Date:     August 2026

About the IOIC

The Institute of Internal Communication (IOIC) is the professional association for internal communication.

IOIC exists to champion the power of internal communication in the world. We set the standards, develop the practitioners and surface the insight that keeps the profession moving. We believe great internal communication unlocks organisational success. 

Internal communication aligns strategy, builds trust, strengthens culture, boosts collaboration and drives performance. We exist to help more people and more organisations understand what it can do.

Our professional development portfolio is fundamental to our mission. It includes university-validated qualifications (from foundation to masters level), a structured CPD framework, a competency-based Profession Map, an online skills self-assessment tool, accredited training programmes, a mentoring scheme, and a careers platform, all designed to support IC practitioners at every stage of their career.

Headquartered in Milton Keynes, our small permanent team is distributed across the UK. We’re complemented by a support network of contracted partners and suppliers who help us deliver excellence to members throughout our core offerings.

The role

This is a leadership role with end-to-end ownership of IOIC’s professional development portfolio. It is offered as a fixed-term contract of 14 months, covering a period of maternity leave, with a structured handover from the current postholder.

Leading the Institute’s professional development portfolio – from qualifications and training to CPD, mentoring and careers – this role drives the strategy, delivery and continuous improvement of IOIC’s offer to members and the profession.

Working cross-functionally with partners, peers and stakeholders, the postholder translates strategic ambition into operational reality, overseeing and driving departmental performance and supporting the achievement of IOIC’s strategic goals.

The role also includes the team leadership and the line management of two team members.

Principal responsibilities:

• Manage, plan and oversee all annual activity across the IOIC professional development portfolio
• Manage the strategic direction for the Professional Development portfolio to ensure its continued development, market growth and increased financial contribution. Work with colleagues and relevant stakeholders to contribute to the development of the portfolio in line with core strategy
• Oversee, set and manage departmental budgets and ensure targets are met
• Maintain market awareness and identify product development and growth opportunities to ensure IOIC owns and maintains its position as the leading provider of learning and development for internal communication
• Team leadership and line management of two team members – including performance management, guidance and support, development and direction
• Oversee the management and delivery of the qualification programmes — Foundation Diploma, Advanced Diploma and Masters-level study — validated by our academic partner Solent University, ensuring high standards and excellent student outcomes
• Oversee the quality assurance processes for the accreditation of the Institute’s qualifications by our academic partner Solent University. Ensuring that the quality standards set are met and the ongoing development of content is implemented in line with recommendations and advice from all relevant stakeholders
• Develop and manage the CPD programme – including driving member uptake and engagement, guidance and materials, continuous improvement and developing the CPD offering
• Lead the training and learning programmes portfolio – including financial management, product development and quality assurance – and fully manage the in-house training offer
• Develop and manage the free member training programme and other member learning experiences
• Lead and manage the IOIC Careers Hub, a dedicated careers platform for IC practitioners, working with service partners to drive usage, implement improvements and report on engagement Manage the Skills and Standards Board, IOIC’s advisory group responsible for setting and developing professional standards, and oversee the implementation of its outputs
• Oversee the IOIC Profession Map, the competency framework that defines standards across the internal communication profession, including alignment with the professional development portfolio, copyright management and commercial opportunities
• Manage and maintain the IC Diagnostic, IOIC’s online skills self-assessment tool, driving member engagement and ensuring alignment with learning programmes Oversee the mentoring programme, including continuous improvement, quality assurance and matching relationships
• Work with colleagues to commission guidance and resources for IOIC members in line with the content strategy and manage peer review process
• Lead and manage the #IChoseIC campaign, IOIC’s advocacy and outreach initiative championing internal communication as a career of choice, including building relationships with schools, universities and charities, and managing the Ambassador group
• Work with colleagues to deliver sales and marketing activities for the professional development portfolio and the Institute’s professionalisation agenda
• Support corporate membership engagement and retention via the professional development consultation programme and other activities
• Work with external partners and colleagues to ensure data-driven decision making and effective reporting practices
• Develop and manage relationships with key stakeholders, to include IOIC board members, commercial and academic partners and suppliers, and proactively seek new collaborative partnerships and opportunities
• Project-based work aligned to departmental and organisational strategic goals.

Person profile 

Essential

• Proven substantial experience in learning and development 
• Demonstratable prior success implementing and leading professional development activities 
• Ability to manage others effectively and compassionately, recognising strengths and areas of development, providing support and overseeing outputs 
• Understanding of strategy development and implementation and how to align to organisational goals and needs
• Good knowledge of academic qualifications and higher education
• Strong commercial awareness and business acumen, including budget and financial reporting experience
• Excellent people skills with the ability to develop and manage strong stakeholder relationships
• Ability to analyse and use data to inform decision making
• Good knowledge of Content/Learning Management Systems
• Excellent organisation skills – ability to manage varied workload
• High level communication skills
• Proactive with proven problem-solving skills 
• Excellent eye for, and attention to, detail
• Proven project management experience
• Excellent administrative skills and willingness to support colleagues with tasks as necessary

Desirable

• Membership organisation experience
• Experience of mentoring programmes
• Experience of professional accreditation schemes

Working arrangements

This is a full-time role home-based with at least 1-day a month in office (Milton Keynes) and other travel required as necessary.

What we offer

·       A competitive salary of £46K

·       A welcoming and inclusive culture

·       25 days holiday with three additional days at Christmas and day off for birthday

·       Hybrid working arrangements

·       Wellbeing app and support

·       Pension enrolment

·       Full access to our training and development programmes and careers platform.

How to apply

To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter by 3 July 2026. Your covering letter should be no more than 1 page and should address the essential criteria set out in the person specification.

You can apply via LinkedIn or email Emily Darling on emily@ioic.org.uk.