E+ Head of Finance

About the Job

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity.

Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries.

• Job Title: E+ Head of Finance
• Pay Band: SMPS
• Salary: £55,699 gross per annum
• Contract Duration: 2‑Year Fixed Term Contract with possibility of extension
• Location: London & Cardiff
• 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 23 June at 22:59 UK Time

The Head of Finance leads the financial strategy, governance, and assurance for Erasmus+. The role ensures robust financial planning, accurate reporting, effective risk management, and full compliance with client, organisational, and regulatory requirements. The role designs and maintains a robust financial control framework that mitigates risks across the full grant lifecycle – from application and assessment, through distribution and monitoring, to audit and closure.

Acting as the senior finance business partner reporting directly into the Deputy National Agency Director, the post oversees end to end financial integrity across grants, funding flows and operational expenditure. They ensure that funding is accurately allocated, monitored and accounted for; that financial risks are identified early and mitigated effectively; and that the programme consistently meets audit, assurance, and contractual obligations.

They provide clear financial insight to support decision making, maintain strong audit and assurance standards, manage and develop the National Agency’s finance team, and manage senior relationships with clients and stakeholders. By safeguarding financial integrity, value for money, and long‑term sustainability, the Head of Finance enables the programme to deliver high quality, accountable outcomes.

• Leadership & Team Management
  • Lead the programme’s financial strategy, ensuring alignment with client requirements, organisational policies, and long‑term sustainability.
  • Lead and safeguard the financial integrity of Erasmus+ which is highly complex with a value budget, ensuring accurate allocation, monitoring, and reconciliation of significant funding flows across partners, and delivery streams.
  • Provide authoritative financial advice to the Programme Director and senior leadership.
• Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Planning
  • Develop and manage multi‑year financial strategies and funding models that support delivery at scale, balancing operational needs, client expectations, and long‑term financial commitments.
  • Ensure the smooth transition between the Multi‑annual Financial Framework cycles (from 2021‑2027 to 2028‑2034).
  • Lead forecasting and scenario planning to support operational and strategic decision‑making.
  • Input to British Council annual planning and quarterly forecasting processes, including E+ income, disbursement, direct cost and cash flow projections.
• Financial Governance, Controls & Compliance
  • Provide strategic financial leadership for Erasmus+ operating at a substantial multi‑year scale, ensuring long‑range financial sustainability and robust planning across its entire lifecycle.
  • Identify, evaluate, and mitigate financial risks.
  • Design, implement, and maintain robust financial controls across grant and mobility funding flows.
  • Ensure management fee income recognition aligns to British Council policies.
  • Ensure full compliance with client contracts, audit standards, regulatory frameworks, and internal policies.
• Financial Reporting & Insight
  • Produce high‑quality financial reports, dashboards, and analysis for clients, internal governance boards, and senior stakeholders.
  • Provide timely insight on financial performance, risks, variances, and corrective actions.
• Risk Management & Assurance
  • Lead financial risk identification, mitigation, and monitoring across Erasmus+.
  • Lead finance team engagement with all internal and external audits,…