External Audit Manager / Accreditation Manager

About This Role

ABAC Centre of Excellence Limited is seeking an experienced Audits & Certification Manager to lead and safeguard its accredited certification operations. This is a senior, trust-critical role responsible for ensuring certification integrity, accreditation compliance, and consistent delivery of high-quality audit and certification services across multiple ISO schemes.

The role requires strong technical authority, governance discipline, and the confidence to operate under regulatory and accreditation scrutiny.

Key Responsibilities:* Oversee end-to-end delivery of ISO certification audits and certification decisions.

• Ensure compliance with ISO/IEC 17021-1 and applicable scheme rules.
• Act as a focal point for accreditation bodies (EIAC / IAS / UKAS / DSM, as applicable).
• Maintain auditor competence, authorisation, and impartiality frameworks.
• Review and approve certification decisions and technical files.
• Manage certification risks, escalations, and corrective actions.
• Ensure certification records, data integrity, and confidentiality.
• Support client confidence, service quality, and certification credibility.

Qualifications & Experience:* Bachelor’s degree in Compliance, Governance, Risk, Law, or related field (Master’s preferred).

• Lead Auditor qualification (ISO 37001 / ISO 37301 or equivalent).
• Minimum 4–5 years of experience in certification, audits, or accredited conformity assessment.
• Proven experience dealing with accreditation bodies and witness audits.
• Strong working knowledge of ISO/IEC 17021-1.

Core Competencies:* Certification governance and impartiality management.

• Accreditation readiness and regulatory engagement.
• Risk-based decision-making.
• Strong documentation and audit discipline.
• Professional judgment under pressure.
• Clear, executive-level communication.

What We Offer:* Senior role with direct exposure to accreditation and regulated clients.

• High professional independence and decision authority.
• International certification environment.
• Opportunity to shape and strengthen certification governance.

Why This Role Matters:* Certification governance and impartiality management.

• Accreditation readiness and regulatory engagement.
• Risk-based decision-making.
• Strong documentation and audit discipline.
• Professional judgment under pressure.
• Clear, executive-level communication.

What We Offer:* Senior role with direct exposure to accreditation and regulated clients.

• High professional independence and decision authority.
• International certification environment.
• Opportunity to shape and strengthen certification governance.

Why This Role Matters: This role directly protects ABAC’s accreditation, reputation, and client trust. The successful candidate will act as a custodian of certification integrity, ensuring that growth never compromises governance