Head of Policy and Insight, China

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.

We connect. We inspire.

British Council Payband 8

Contract Type: International Assignment – 2 years, UK Nationality required

Location: Beijing, China

Closing Date: 26th April 2026

This role will be offered on long-term strategic international assignment terms which includes visa and transfer support and benefits such as assignment allowances, housing, and utilities, and schooling  

Please note Visa approvals are beyond the British Council’s control so any job offer will be subject to securing the required right to work.

The full International Assignment package is offered at the discretion of the British Council and may not be available to candidates who are currently already based in another location but have significant connections to the host location. Applications for locally hired candidates are welcome but if successful will not qualify for the international assignment package and will continue local terms and conditions of service.

Role Purpose

• Operating at the intersection between cultural relations and the wider UK-China relationship, this is a new role that focuses on translating on-the-ground experience from British Council delivery of Education and Culture programmes into policy insight and inputs, mainly intended for xHMG stakeholders at post. 

Role Context

The British Council is the UK’s international culture and education organisation. We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. ​ Creating these vital connections between the people of all four nations of the UK and other countries benefits everyone. It encourages people and organisations from around the world to visit, study and partner with the UK, strengthening the UK’s global reputation and influence and driving economic growth. By connecting the UK’s expertise in arts and culture, education and the English language to our global presence and unparalleled networks, we unlock potential and transform lives. We help artists to share their distinctive voices. We provide educators with the tools to shape generations. We give young people the confidence to shine.

The British Council operates in China as the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy. This is its largest operation globally, also encompassing two commercial subsidiaries, including a significant Exams business. Across its different entities, it employs over 600 people in four offices across China. It plays a major role in supporting higher education engagement and partnership with China, including in transnational education, student mobility, and alumni engagement. Through its English programmes, it reaches nearly 100k English teachers every year. It also runs large programmes in Arts and Culture, connecting artists and institutions from both countries. A significant strand of work also focuses on enabling engagement with China for young people in the UK, through programmes like the Mandarin Excellence Programme, enhancing the UK’s long-term capability to engage with China from a position of knowledge and understanding.

China is a complex and high-stakes operating environment where cultural relations activity increasingly intersects with wider UK government policy considerations, especially in the education sector where risks and opportunities are closely intertwined. Bringing strong policy capability, the Head of Policy will support the Country Director and country sector leads in providing leadership and alignment on Education and Culture across a large, complex embassy / UK network in China, drawing on British Council on-the-ground experience and sector knowledge to inform and help shape government engagement choices. The role sits within the Country Director Function.

Main accountabilities

• Support the Country Director Function and sector leads in delivering pro-active and engaged leadership on Education and Culture across the UK embassy.
• Develop high-quality written policy analysis / products on Education, Culture, and soft power trends relevant to xHMG (and sectoral) interests in China.
• Pro-actively draft and coordinate briefs, submissions, diptels, and updates in line with embassy policy processes and rhythms.
• Maintain active and influential working-level relationships across Embassy teams (Political, Economic, DBT, Science & Innovation, Outreach, Comms) and with sector-relevant contacts within the diplomatic community.
• Support engagement with the embassy on strategic comms.
• Align policy outputs with British Council sector leads in country, drawing on their expertise.
• Liaison with government relations colleagues in the UK where HQ needs China content for their stakeholders.
• Provide insight, briefing and support for high-level visits. 

Role Specific Skills

• Strong stakeholder / relationship management skills across institutional boundaries.
• Advanced analytical capability, including interpretation of complex political and regulatory environments.
• Excellent drafting skills, including policy-focused written products.
• Ability to translate sectoral expertise into cross-government policy relevance.

Role specific knowledge and experience: 

Minimum / Essential Requirements

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience developing internationally-focused policy analysis and written products for UK government audiences.
• Experience working in complex international or government-adjacent environments.
• Experience developing new policy related products or approaches. 

Desirable Requirements

• Experience working in / with UK higher education sector, preferably in a policy role.
• Experience working in China and / or on China-related policy not essential but highly desirable. 

Additional job requirements

• International Assignment – 2 years. UK nationality required
• Regular domestic/international travel. 
• Attendance at some evening or weekend events. 
• This role will require security clearance at Developed Vetting (DV) level. 

A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community as we believe that a diverse workforce gives added depth to our work. The British Council is a Disability Confident Employer. The Disability Confident scheme helps challenge attitudes, increase understanding of disability and ensure staff are drawn from the widest possible pool of talent. We guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum role requirements. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.

Safeguarding Statement

The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults who we work with. We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989. Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.

If you experience any difficulties with submitting your application, please email askhr@britishcouncil.org