Quality Assurance Manager

The Department for Education has announced that the British Council is set to take on the role of National Agency for Erasmus+.

In December the UK and EU arrived at a political agreement that the UK would rejoin the Erasmus+ scheme in 2027. That agreement has now been legally formalised under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

The British Council has a longstanding commitment to supporting international exchange. It was a lead partner in the Erasmus+ UK National Agency from 2014-20, where Erasmus+ made a significant contribution to the UK's cultural relations activities, funding 8,091 projects, engaging 583,757 UK participants, and awarding around €1.1 billion to UK organisations.

Pay Band: 7

Contract Duration: 2 Year Fixed Term Contract with possibility of extension

Location: London, Cardiff, Belfast, and Scotland

Right to Work Requirements: Current right to work in the UK. The British Council is not able to support or sponsor work visa applications.

Closing Date: Applications will close on 1 October at 22:59 UK Time

We are operating on the basis that any offer is made pending client confirmation of funds.

Role Purpose:

The E+ Quality Assurance Manager will be responsible for leading the delivery of first-line quality assurance and management assurance activities across Erasmus+ programme operations through the consistent application of agreed assurance frameworks, methodologies, and standards.

The postholder will take ownership of defined assurance work streams, leading quality reviews, sampling approaches, and performance analysis across delivery areas. They ensure that assurance activity is risk-based, well-evidenced, and produces clear, actionable insight.

Main Responsibilities:

• Leading quality assurance activities and providing evidence-based assurance that programme delivery processes are operating effectively and in line with agreed standards.
• Applying and interpreting assurance frameworks, methodologies, and quality standards to support consistent and robust operational decision-making.
• Planning and delivering risk-based quality reviews, sampling exercises, and assurance checks across programme activities.
• Producing high-quality assurance documentation, maintaining clear audit trails, and tracking the implementation of agreed actions.
• Analysing quality and performance data to identify trends, risks, control weaknesses, areas of good practice, and opportunities for improvement.
• Providing structured insight and recommendations to support programme assurance, governance reporting, and senior decision-making.
• Driving continuous improvement by implementing process enhancements, embedding lessons learned, and promoting consistency across delivery teams.
• Supporting governance, risk, compliance, and audit activities by identifying, assessing, mitigating, and escalating risks where appropriate.
• Building strong relationships with stakeholders, providing practical guidance on quality standards, programme requirements, and assurance expectations.
• Leading assurance work streams and contributing to capability building, systems improvements, and the effective use of programme tools, data, and processes.

Role Specific Knowledge & Experience:

• Demonstrable experience in programme delivery, quality assurance, or operations
• Experience leading or delivering assurance, review, or quality activities
• Experience analysing performance data and identifying trends or risks
• Experience contributing to process improvements
• Experience working with governance, audit, or compliance processes
• Experience in grant-funded or public sector programmes
• Experience working in regulated or audit-heavy environments
• Experience supporting audit and assurance processes
• Experience with systems supporting programme delivery

Specific Requirements

• Degree or equivalent work experience.
• Programme/Project Management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, MSP, PMP) or willingness to work towards one.

British Council supports working in new ways such as hybrid working, subject to full approval by line management and conditional upon our ability to provide the appropriate level of service. This may not be appropriate for all roles but can be explored at interview.