Head of Validation

Be part of the vision; be part of the RIBA.

The RIBA is a global professional membership body, and a cultural organisation, driving excellence in architecture.

Salary: £43000 - £50,000 per annum

Location: London/Hybrid working

Hours: 35 hours per week, full-time permanent

Why Join us?

Our Benefits:

The RIBA offers an amazing employee benefits package which includes (a) a generous pension scheme with employer contributions (up to 12%), (b) life assurance, (c) annual leave of 26.5 days plus bank holidays, paid closure of 3.5 discretionary days between Christmas and New Year and a half-day for Christmas Shopping plus a season ticket loan. For more details on our benefits click here

Hybrid Working / Remote Working

The role will involve traveling across UK and Internationally as well.

About the Role

Do you have a passion for architectural education? RIBA Validation is an internationally recognised and highly regarded accreditation programme for Schools of Architecture, both in the UK and around the world. Working closely with the Director of Education and Learning, the RIBA Head of Validation is responsible for providing strategic leadership to the RIBA Validation Team and strategic direction to the RIBA Validation process.

The Head of Validation represents the RIBA in bilateral relations with Schools of Architecture, both in the UK and Internationally and provides specialist guidance on both the RIBA and UIA Validation Processes to schools of architecture throughout the UK and internationally.

The Head of Validation will be responsible for

• Providing strategic direction to, and appropriate promotion of, the RIBA’s work validating schools of architecture, both in UK and international
• Managing recruitment to the RIBA validation panel and subsequent training events
• Leading the RIBA validation process in UK and internationally in a professional, prompt, and cost-effective manner
• Enhancing the reputation of RIBA as world leaders in field of quality, standards in architectural education
• Ensuring the successful management and administration of the UNESCO-UIA validation system, organising visits to international schools, and ensuring the completion of comprehensive reports of these events
• Liaising with internal and public stakeholders, including profession and higher education professionals
• Overseeing the programme of boards to UK and international schools of architecture on 5 yearly cycle.
• Providing strategic direction to the management of validation applications, exploratory boards, and consultancy in UK and internationally
• Working with Member Groups and Institutional Committees
• Contributing specialist advice regarding development of RIBA education policies and procedures associated with recognition (or equivalence) of RIBA qualifications, in UK and internationally
• Managing income, expenditure and forecasting on both UK and international RIBA & UIA validation budget
• Monitoring validation metrics and trends for RIBA senior management, higher education, and the profession

Wondering what we are looking for?

The successful candidate must have:

• Degree in architecture or a related discipline or equivalent knowledge and experience
• An excellent understanding of the strategic purpose and objectives of a Validation programme and the ability to develop a vision and strategy
• Significant experience in working with either a professional membership organisation, higher education organisation, statutory body, or regulatory body concerned with establishing academic and procedural standards.
• Excellent demonstrable written and verbal communication skills, at all levels Advanced stakeholder relationship building skills and experience.
• Diplomacy, discretion, and tact in dealing with stakeholders; negotiation and advocacy skills
• Ability to think creatively and act strategically to further advance the RIBA Validation process.
• Experience of the RIBA Validation process is highly desirable.

If you would like to apply for the position, please view the full job description below (found at 'supporting documents') and submit your CV and covering letter.

Additionally, please ensure that you complete our Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form which will be submitted separate from your application.

Closing date: Wednesday 24 August 2022
Interview date: To be confirmed

(Please note that we may close an advert earlier than the date above if an exceptionally high volume of applications is received)

The RIBA aims to be an inclusive employer, committed to developing a varied and mixed workforce where all are encouraged to be themselves. We value applications from all sections of society and welcome requests for flexible working across our organisation.

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