Director Education

As a valued employee of the British Council, you already help us deliver our mission to support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For over 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity.

We work with people in over 150 countries and reach over 700 million people.

We connect. We inspire.

Role

Title:

Director Education

Location:

Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh or London

British Council Grade: EL

Reports to:

Director Cultural Engagement (SLT)

Contract type: this is a four-year assignment, with the possibility of extension if both parties agree.

The British Council is looking for an exceptional Director Education to lead our global education portfolio maximising its impact, influence and income.

As Director Education, you will provide strategic leadership to our global education work, setting the overall direction and ensuring our programmes, partnerships, contracts and services deliver strong impact, relevance and results across our international network and in the UK. You will play a key role in ensuring that education delivers positive cultural relations outcomes for the UK.

You will bring together a broad range of education expertise and capabilities, including sector specialists, business development, programme management and operational teams, creating a coherent approach across the portfolio.

As a member of the British Council’s global leadership team you will collaborate closely with colleagues across the organisation to shape strategic priorities and ensure effective planning and delivery through our global matrix.

You will also be a senior external ambassador for the British Council’s education work, building strong relationships with stakeholders across the UK and internationally and representing the organisation with government, education leaders, partners, sector bodies and the media.

You will use your understanding of the education landscape, alongside the British Council’s unique position and global reach, to identify opportunities that strengthen our influence and impact.

• Lead the global strategy, performance and overall direction of education, ensuring it makes a strong contribution to the British Council’s strategic priorities and remains relevant, distinctive and financially sustainable
• Provide strategic leadership as a member of the Cultural Engagement Executive Team, contributing to wider organisational strategy, decision-making and performance. Set clear priorities, choices and trade-offs across the education portfolio, informed by evidence, external developments and organisational priorities.
• Lead global planning, target-setting and performance management, working closely with geographic leadership and other functions to ensure effective delivery through the matrix. Ensure education programmes, partnerships, contracts and services are delivered with high impact, quality, coherence and operational effectiveness.
• Provide authoritative advice and insight to senior leaders, trustees and the wider organisation on education strategy, performance, opportunities and risks. Strengthen the use of research, evaluation and insight to inform strategic decisions, demonstrate impact and continuously improve our work.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with UK government, education stakeholders, partners, funders, clients and sector bodies in the UK and internationally.
• Drive income generation and financial sustainability across education, including through partnerships, contracts, funded programmes and other revenue streams. Ensure education activity is positioned and delivered in ways that strengthen our impact, reputation and…