Head of Education

Main Accountabilities:

Leadership & Management 

• Provides technical input and design to Education contracts, programmes and projects, assuring quality and impact and managing issues and risks
• Uses digital platforms and technological advancements to improve efficiency, impact and quality of the project and/or programme design and delivery 
• Incorporates specific actions to address equality, diversity and inclusion priorities in programme delivery  
• Manages country portfolio day-to-day ensuring global standards on programme and contract management are achieved   
• Direct line management where applicable, with matrix management support provided to sector programme teams in country/across the region as required.  
• Ensures effective financial management and compliance -manages and delivers to target, budgets, profitability, timelines, and to corporate quality standards in all areas 
• Monitors, reviews and ensures that the country portfolio is achieving agreed impact measures, and monitoring, evaluation and learning and reporting is in place against Cultural Engagement’s Strategy 2025 and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) key performance indicators. 
• Supports an inclusive organisational culture where staff have opportunities for continuous professional development and are actively contributing to the British Council’s anti-racism action plan and EDI strategy to mainstream EDI and become anti-racist in our cultures and practices within our organisation and in our programmes, particularly through a time of change. 
• Lead by example and model compliance with British Council policies and processes, Code of Conduct, values and behaviours in all day-to-day activities and in the management and liaison with colleagues and external stakeholders.  

Strategy and/or planning 

• Leads on the planning process for designated portfolio in-country in accordance with global and regional sector strategies and programming  
• Contributes to regional/country business strategy 
• Strategic leadership of design, development, delivery and closure of projects and or programmes as needed 
• Develop and nurtures internal relationships across Cultural Engagement within the region  
• Considers the role of digital products, services and channels in optimising the impact and sustainability of the portfolio, working with regional marketing and digital colleagues. 

 Relationship & Stakeholders 

• Builds and maintains business-critical relationships with key local clients and partners with a view to identifying new business opportunities and partnerships  
• Supports the government and institutional relationships that the UK needs to succeed in region/country 
• Leads on relationships with a range of stakeholders and partners at a sector level  
• Represents the British Council externally and internally 

Sector/subject expertise 

• Uses sector expertise to provide insight and content for corporate responses to public consultations in-country, representing British Council’s perspective  
• Provides up-to-date and well-informed briefings on current and emerging matters in the area of expertise, conducting detailed analysis and research, contributing cutting-edge sector knowledge and content to proposals 
• Identifies and develops opportunities for the sector to build their work in the country/region 
• Supports internal capacity building, ensuring that teams can access appropriate and cost-effective L&D opportunities and grow their sector knowledge and skills 

Brand and market positioning  

• Promotes the UK education sector in the country/region 
• Works with wider country leadership to ensure British Council’s value proposition and support to the UK sector is clear, agreed and communicated. 
• Ensures that British Council’s reputation for quality and as a valued not-for-profit partner remains high and contributes to our organisational mission of building trust between the UK and other countries. 

Business development  

• Supports the development and management of relationships with strategic clients and partners.
• Applies due diligence requirements to potential partners.
• Coordinates research in country/regional context such as analysis of client and partner trends and opportunities.
• Manages network of associate advisors, consultants and partners.
• Embeds effective processes, standards and tools to support pipeline and consultant/partner relationship management.
• Manages or supports the development of high-quality bids/ proposals.
• Participates in contract negotiations with partners and clients, and prepares agreements such as non-disclosure, pre-bid, contract and partner and consultant agreements. 
• Ensures timely reporting and communication on externally funded contracts/grant funded initiatives.
• Participates in programme and project reviews and closure activities, helping to ensure learning is embedded in the development of new business.

Commercial & Financial Management

• Directly plans and controls specific cost variables (rather than the total budget) to meet established targets, ensuring compliance with all relevant corporate financial systems and processes 
• Using agreed financial procedures/templates conducts monthly and year-end analysis and reporting on income and expenditure/profitability and risk/pipeline/actual performance versus plan targets. 

About You (essential requirements for the role): 

• The English language is required at an advanced level (C1/C2 according to the CEFR or verifiable equivalent)

• Foundation level Project Management qualification (in-house training or evidence of CPD in this area could be considered) or equivalent work experience
• In-depth understanding of local education market, extensive experience of working in Education 
• Demonstrable expertise of programme management, ideally in the Education sector 
• Experience in managing and understanding internal and external stakeholder needs
• Experience in embedding M&E into programme design to support the development of systematic evidence.
• Knowledge of UK and international policy in the sector and approaches to internationalisation. 
• Active and up-to-date network of senior-level sector contacts  
• Experience in collaborating effectively with others to develop solutions to issues where there is not an established framework
• Experience in conference and/ or policy forum and event management
• Experience in communicating project outcomes and impact to key audiences, both internal and external.  

Please note:

 This role may require domestic/international travel/attendance at some evening or weekend events.

 Please note that all applications should be submitted in English only.

It is advisable to apply in advance to avoid any technical issues at the last moment.

Create an account in the link below, to fill out the job application,

https://career2.successfactors.eu/careers?company=britishcou