Strategic Chair – Build. Lead. Transform.

Lead the Global Evolution of Professional Education, Training, and Assessment for the Surveying Profession

We are looking for a strategic force with a passion for professional education—someone who believes that how people enter a profession should be inclusive, rigorous, and globally trusted.

About RICS

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is the world's leading self-regulating professional body in relation to the setting, upholding, and assuring professional standards associated with land, property, infrastructure, and construction. RICS helps to develop surveying professionals around the world, who are literally shaping the world around us.

The Challenge: Implement a Revolutionary Qualifications Framework

RICS has completed a three-year global Entry and Assessment Review. Now, the next phase begins—delivering the Standards and Regulation Board’s (SRB) vision: a transformative programme to overhaul how professionals train, qualify, and progress in surveying.

We're appointing the new Chair of the Entry and Assessment Implementation & Oversight Group (EAIOG)—a governance group reporting to the SRB. The EAIOG is tasked with overseeing the delivery of this transformation programme, implementing the recommendations of the 2024 RICS Entry and Assessment Review.

This isn't about tweaking a few processes. This is about building a future-ready qualification system that meets globally recognised standards (such as UKAS ISO 17024 and/or Ofqual recognition), strengthens public trust, and reinforces RICS' position as a self-regulating body.

Useful documents: Role Description, Terms of Reference, and the 2024 Review findings.

What You'll Lead:

The EAIOG will oversee implementation of the most significant reforms to RICS membership assessment in nearly 30 years, including:

• Developing a new competency framework with clearly defined learning outcomes and assessment criteria
• Creating a progressive, modular assessment model that reduces reliance on end-loaded interviews
• Establishing a clear and inclusive single point of entry with appropriate recognition for experience and prior learning
• Ensuring pathways reflect essential skills for each surveying discipline without over-specialising at entry point
• Embedding sustainability and innovation across all competencies and assessments
• Driving assessment processes that are consistent, accessible, fair, and valid
• Building a system that can withstand increasing external scrutiny from governments across jurisdictions

What Makes This Role Extraordinary?

• Professional Education Reform at Scale: Lead the delivery of new modular assessments, inclusive entry routes, and global qualification standards
• Strengthening Public Trust: Ensure the transformation reinforces confidence in the profession and its qualifications—globally and across sectors
• System Steward: Ensure governance that withstands scrutiny, delivers impact, and inspires confidence
• Legacy-Maker: Translate three years of research and consultation into meaningful, lasting change
• Equity in Action: Expand access and opportunity for those entering the profession through non-traditional routes

Your Skillset:

You might be a Chartered RICS Member—or an Independent professional. Either way, you’re a proven Chair and leader with substantial experience in governance and transformation. You’ve chaired boards, committees, or working groups, and know how to provide strategic oversight in complex, multi-stakeholder settings.

You’ve led large-scale transformation programmes—ideally in education, accreditation, or regulation—and bring a calm, clear approach to navigating challenging decisions. Your leadership is transparent and inclusive, and you're confident engaging with diverse stakeholder views.

You champion the public interest and know that professional trust is earned through fairness, consistency, and quality. For you, diversity, equity, and inclusion aren’t optional—they’re foundational principles for shaping the future of any profession.

You bring a strong understanding of assessment design and quality assurance. Experience with UKAS ISO 17024, Ofqual, or international qualification frameworks is a valuable bonus.

Core Responsibilities:

• Chair the newly created EAIOG, reporting to the RICS Standards and Regulation Board (SRB)
• Recruit and lead a team of expert members (4 RICS Members + 4 Independent Members)
• Oversee the implementation of recommendations from the Entry and Assessment Review
• Drive collaboration with assessment design and delivery partners to achieve an efficient, scalable model
• Ensure the transformation meets global expectations for quality, fairness, and regulatory recognition
• Engage with education providers, regulators, employers and member stakeholders across regions
• Provide governance, assurance, and regular reporting back to SRB

Position Details:

• Open to Independent professionals and Chartered RICS Members
• Must not currently serve on any RICS governance boards, committees or panels at point of taking up the role.
• Approx. 25 days/year time commitment
• Remuneration: £15,000 p.a. (for independent Chair appointments only, in line with RICS policy that members undertaking governance roles are not remunerated)
• Meetings mostly virtual; one annual in-person session (London or Birmingham)
• Initial term: up to 3 years (renewable once, max 6 years)
• Anticipated start date: Summer 2025
• Full Role Description and Person Specification against whilst individuals will be shortlisted can be found here.

Key Dates

• Applications close: 12:00 BST, Monday 28 April 2025
• All applicants will hear back by: Friday 9 May 2025
• Panel interview (via MS Teams): Friday 16 May 2025

How to Apply

Thie piece of recruitment is being supported by Michelle Paoloni from House Recruitment, please submit your application to RICS@houserecruitment.co.uk. Your application should consist of:

The application should consist of:

• A supporting statement (maximum two pages). An opportunity to outline how the requirements within the person specification are met, any desirable criteria and any additional information that may support your application.
• An up-to-date CV, detailing any relevant professional body membership (i.e., regulated profession membership status and number).

At the time of application please complete this Diversity and Inclusivity Monitoring Form.

Any queries please contact Michelle Paoloni at House Recruitment RICS@houserecruitment.co.uk

RICS is committed to advancing diversity and inclusion within the surveying profession. We actively encourage applications from candidates globally representing diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.