The IMI is seeking a Professional Standards & Recognition Manager to lead the development, governance, and continuous improvement of professional standards, ethical frameworks, recognition pathways, and competency benchmarks across our membership community.
In this high-profile role, you will be the subject matter expert for professional standards, ensuring our membership grading, certification, and recognition processes remain robust, transparent, and aligned with industry best practice. You will oversee professional recognition assessments, CPD quality assurance, ethical conduct frameworks, and stakeholder engagement activities, helping to strengthen both the value of IMI membership and the reputation of the profession.
We are looking for a strategic, detail-oriented professional with a strong automotive background and experience in developing or delivering automotive qualifications, apprenticeships, and professional standards. You will be a confident stakeholder manager, able to translate industry needs into credible frameworks that support professional recognition, workforce development, and career progression.
Purpose of Role:
To define, maintain, and uphold the ethical and competency standards for membership, ensuring they reflect industry best practice and support professional credibility. The role is responsible for setting industry benchmarks, managing professional recognition and grading pathways, and ensuring members meet and maintain the standards required for professional status.
Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities
Professional Standards & Benchmarking
- Develop, maintain, and regularly review professional standards, codes of conduct, and competence frameworks that define best practice for members.
- Set and uphold industry benchmarks aligned to employer needs, regulatory expectations, and the organisation’s strategic objectives.
- Ensure standards remain current, credible, and reflective of evolving industry practice.
Recognition, Grading & Certification
- Manage professional recognition and grading pathways, enabling members to achieve and progress professional status.
- Oversee awards, certifications, and recognition frameworks that formally acknowledge professional competence and ethical practice.
- Ensure grading and recognition decisions are fair, transparent, consistent, and evidence-based.
Assessment, Audit & CPD Assurance
- Oversee the assessment of applications for professional recognition and grading.
- Design and apply evaluation criteria to assess professional competence against defined standards.
- Monitor and audit continuing professional development (CPD) activity to ensure compliance with required standards.
- Ensure robust quality assurance, moderation, and audit processes are in place.
Governance, Ethics & Professional Conduct
- Act as the organisational authority on professional standards, ethics, and conduct.
- Uphold ethical standards and, where required, oversee or support investigations into breaches of the code of conduct.
- Ensure appropriate governance processes are followed for standards-related decisions and outcomes.
- Manage, update & maintain grading policy documentation and communicate it to all stakeholders.
Stakeholder Engagement & Authority
- Act as a subject matter expert and point of authority on professional standards and recognition for members, employers, and external stakeholders.
- Work collaboratively with internal teams to ensure standards and recognition align with member journeys and organisational priorities.
- Represent the organisation in discussions relating to professional standards, ethics, and competence frameworks. ·
Desirable Knowledge & Skills
- Experience of professional grading or chartered status frameworks.
- Knowledge of regulatory or external accreditation environments.
- Experience of governance panels, committees, or disciplinary processes.
- Understanding of workforce or professional development pathways.
- Automotive training experience including training
Essential Qualifications:
- Degree level qualification or equivalent professional experience.
To find out more about this opportunity or to apply please send your CV along with a covering letter to laurent@theimi.org.uk