E+ Senior Partner Finder

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.

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.

Job Title: Erasmus+ Senior Partner Finder

Pay Band: 8
Salary: £40,179 gross per annum
Contract Duration: 2 Year Fixed Term Contract with possibility of extension  
Location: Edinburgh, Belfast & 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 22 September at 22:59 UK Time

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

Role Purpose

The Senior Partner Finder will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational oversight of the Partner-Finding function, ensuring organisations across the four nations are effectively supported to identify, secure, and sustain meaningful European partnerships aligned to priorities set by the European Commission.   

Main accountabilities

• Leading the national Partner-Finding strategy across all four nations.
• Developing coordinated approaches aligned with Erasmus+ priorities and programme needs.
• Managing the Partner-Finding Team, including performance, workload, and development.
• Overseeing complex, high-risk, and strategically significant partner-finding cases.
• Promoting inclusive access to partner-finding support for priority organisations and groups.
• Collaborating with Accreditation and programme teams to strengthen partnership development and sustainability.
• Engaging Sector Leads and Ambassadors to extend reach and identify emerging needs.
• Building relationships with European National Agencies and international partner-finding networks.
• Monitoring and analysing demand, outcomes, risks, and trends to inform strategic decision-making.
• Driving effective use of digital platforms and resources to support European partner identification and matchmaking.

Role Specific Knowledge and Experience:

Minimum/essential

• Experience leading or managing a team or function 
• Strong ability to identify partner‑related risks to programme delivery. 
• Experience supporting both first‑time participants and experienced organisations. 
• Experience supporting organisations to navigate online European partner environments. 
• Ability to adapt partner‑finding approaches to different sectoral contexts and organisational maturity. 
• Experience balancing national priorities with European‑wide collaboration 

Desirable

• Practical experience liaising with other National Agencies or European support structures.
• Strong working knowledge of Erasmus+ programme structures, priorities, delivery mechanisms, funding streams, and timelines.

Education

• Degree or equivalent work experience.

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.

#LI-Hybrid

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