Professional Development AccountantTerm: permanent Hours: full timeLocation: hybrid working arrangement in Chartered Accountants Ireland, Dublin Office About Chartered Accountants Ireland Chartered Accountants Ireland is the largest and longest established professional accountancy body in Ireland, representing over 38,400 members around the world and educating 6,600 students. The Institute aims to create opportunities for members and students, and ethical, sustainable prosperity for society. An all-island body, Chartered Accountants Ireland was established by Royal Charter in 1888 and now has members in more than 100 countries. It is a founding member of Chartered Accountants Worldwide, the international network of over one million chartered accountants. It also plays key roles in the Global Accounting Alliance, Accountancy Europe and the International Federation of Accountants.Institute ValuesThe Institute’s values of Innovation with Ambition, Collaboration for Impact, Speed and Simplicity, Trust, Inclusion, and For Tomorrow, For Good are central to everything we do.About The RoleThis pivotal role underpins the success of Chartered Accountants Ireland’s CPD and Lifelong Learning (LLL) programmes, ensuring their seamless operation, strategic development, and financial sustainability. These programmes are central to the Institute’s mission to support members in meeting their professional obligations and excelling in their careers.As a trusted partner to Chartered Accountants, the role demands a nuanced understanding of technical accounting issues, member needs, and market trends. By combining financial acumen with a strategic mindset, the Professional Development Accountant ensures that the Institute delivers high-quality, relevant, and impactful learning opportunities while maintaining rigorous financial oversight.Key ResponsibilitiesCPD Programme DevelopmentDesign and lead the development of the CPD programme to ensure it meets the evolving needs of members and aligns with strategic objectives.Leverage professional expertise and stakeholder collaboration to create technically robust and engaging content that meets CPD compliance standards.Identify, engage, and mentor expert speakers, negotiating favourable terms and ensuring their delivery meets the Institute’s standards of excellence.Review and refine speaker materials, ensuring content is accurate, insightful, and aligned with the programme’s objectives.Conduct horizon scanning to stay ahead of developments in business, regulation, and technology, identifying new trends and training gaps relevant to CPD.Drive the production of the Professional Development brochure, curating an offering that maximises member engagement and income potential.Collaborate with District Societies and external partners to enhance the impact of conferences and major events, ensuring relevance and value for members.Engage with internal colleagues (e.g., Professional Standards, Practice Consulting, Advocacy and Voice, and CA Support) to deliver the most relevant, up-to-date, and regulatory-compliant CPD possible.Support the in-house training team by providing technical assistance, joining meetings with prospective clients and subject matter experts, and assisting in refining and specifying programme details.Assist with client proposal documents, including price modelling.Specialist QualificationsSupport the development of new qualifications, diplomas, and certifications.Monitor market trends and conduct horizon scanning to identify emerging needs for professional qualifications.Support scheduling of programmes to meet budgetary targets while maintaining quality standards.Build detailed development budgets and income projections for new programmes.Strategy and InnovationDevelop new ideas and courses to expand the CPD portfolio, enhance member value, and drive engagement and revenue.Anticipate and respond to market trends, ensuring programmes remain relevant in the context of evolving business, regulatory, and technological landscapes.Align CPD and LLL offerings with strategic initiatives such as those identified by Project Athena, including lifelong career pathways and supporting career pivot points for members.Update programmes and messaging to reflect the Institute’s commitment to empowering members at pivotal career moments, enhancing employability, and supporting professional transitions.Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure CPD offerings align with overarching strategic objectives, delivering a cohesive and impactful professional development experience.Financial Reporting and OversightThe accounts for this area are complex, covering circa €2.2 million in revenue and the role acts as the financial steward for CPD and LLL programmes, reviewing monthly management accounts and providing detailed performance analysis.Present financial updates to the Head of Professional Development, offering actionable insights and recommendations for optimisation.Negotiate speaker fees and manage programme costs to achieve target margins and ensure financial viability.Prepare detailed budgets and forecast reports, working collaboratively with Finance to ensure alignment with organisational goals.Maintain robust financial records and conduct regular margin analyses to inform decision-making and strategic planning.CPD Marketing and PromotionPartner with the Marketing team to craft compelling promotional campaigns that showcase the value and relevance of CPD and LLL offerings.Support development of promotional materials, including newsletters and social media content, this is accurate, engaging, and aligned with strategic objectives.Champion major events through personal promotion on professional networks and the coordination of speaker videos, amplifying visibility and attendance.Provide clear, concise course descriptions and promotional “blurbs” to capture member interest and drive bookings.Collaboration with delivery teamDevelop detailed course outlines that clearly articulate learning objectives, outcomes, and speaker details, ensuring seamless integration into the Institute’s website.Proactively review and refine online course content, promptly addressing any discrepancies or errors to ensure a flawless user experience.In-House CollaborationSupport the In-House team to develop and deliver innovative and impactful programmes tailored to organisational needs.Serve as a key advisor on content development, speaker selection, and programme design, addressing challenges with creativity and precision.Monitor gross margins and financial performance, providing insights to optimise programme offerings and resource allocation.Governance and Stakeholder EngagementDraft reports and updates for the Professional Development Committee and the Education Board, ensuring these bodies are fully informed on the performance and strategic direction of CPD and LLL programmes.Attend Professional Development Committee and Education Board meetings to present insights, answer queries, and support decision-making processes.Collaborate with governance structures to align CPD and LLL activities with the Institute’s broader mission and objectives.Contribute to discussions on regulatory developments, strategic priorities, and member needs to ensure the Professional Development function remains robust and compliant.Education and skills:Qualified chartered AccountantAbility to work with ambiguity and problem solveStrong financial stewardshipHighly motivated, professional, and flexible individual.Strong organisational and planning skills with the ability to prioritize and delegate tasks.Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.Ability to work well in a fast-paced, member-focused environment.Ability to influence and take ownership whilst working with teams and individualsDetail-oriented with a hands-on approach.Proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite.Flexible work arrangementsThe 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 contact Dave Riordan on 01 6377251 or dave.riordan@charteredaccountants.ie When you apply for this role via Chartered Accountants Irelands’ recruitment service, your personal data will be processed in accordance with our privacy statement (www.charteredaccountants.ie/Privacy-statement). The information you provide during the application process will only be held for the particular role you applied for unless you provide consent for it to be held for the purposes of being considered for other roles also. Please note that your CV will not be submitted for roles without your distinct permission