CE Finance Business Partner

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.

You are part of our organisation in over 200 countries and territories and where we are on the ground in more than 100 countries.

We connect. We inspire.

The Role:

This role provides targeted support to the English and Exams (E&E) FP&A Centre of Excellence (CoE) by delivering high-quality financial data preparation, reconciliations, process consistency and variance insights. As part of the CoE, the Finance Business Partner provides the foundational data integrity and analysis needed for Business Decision Support (BDS) colleagues, market leads, and business stakeholders to make informed decisions.

This role complements business-facing roles in Business Decision Support (BDS) by strengthening the underlying data, systems and processes needed for effective financial management.

Under the direction of the Senior Finance Business Partner CoE, this role helps ensure that financial data across E&E is accurate, consistent and aligned with corporate financial systems and standards. The postholder focuses on data reliability, process execution, reconciliation and preparing initial trend analysis, enabling the CoE to function as a central source of truth for E&E financial information.

Accountabilities:  

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, operating in more than 100 countries worldwide. Through its work in arts, culture, English language, education, and civil society, it creates opportunities, builds connections, and fosters trust between the UK and other nations. Within the organisation, the English & Exams (E&E) function supports sustainable growth by providing financial planning, reporting, analysis, and commercial insights that enable effective decision-making across teaching, exams delivery, and global operations.

The role sits within the E&E Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Centre of Excellence (CoE), which supports both finance and non-finance stakeholders by delivering high-quality, data-driven reporting and insights. The position acts as a key link between the CoE and Business Decision Support (BDS) teams, ensuring the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of financial data used in planning, forecasting, reporting, and business performance reviews.

Key responsibilities include overseeing data quality and reconciliations across systems such as SAP, Anaplan, and market-level datasets, identifying discrepancies, maintaining audit-ready documentation, and ensuring alignment between data inputs and business outputs. The role also prepares financial data packs, performs variance and trend analysis, supports standardized reporting processes, and ensures compliance with data governance standards.

Additionally, the role provides operational support to BDS Business Partners by delivering reconciled financial data, assisting with issue resolution, responding to reporting requests, and contributing to process improvements that enhance efficiency and consistency across global E&E financial operations.

Role specific knowledge and experience: 

Essential:

• Intermediate experience in financial management, FP&A, or management accounting.
• Strong financial modelling, forecasting and analytics skills.
• Strong data literacy (Power BI, dashboard creation).
• Experience providing financial support to operational teams with positive feedback.
• Strong communication skills, including story telling supported with data, and the ability to effectively explain financials to non‑finance colleagues.
• Experience handling multiple deadlines and working with a portfolio of activities.

Desirable:

• Experience in Exams, Teaching, or broader education / commercial service environments.
• Experience with SAP or similar ERP platforms.
• Experience with Anaplan or similar EPM platforms.

Role specific skills:

• Business Partnering: able to build trust and communicate financial information clearly to non‑finance teams.
• Financial Acumen: solid understanding of budgeting, forecasting and financial performance drivers.
• Analytical Skills: able to prepare meaningful internal variance analysis and identify early warning indicators.
• Multi‑tasking and prioritisation: able to manage multiple demands and deadlines.
• Collaboration: strong relationship‑building skills across dispersed teams.
• EPM System Expertise (preferably Anaplan): confident in both planning and reporting functions.

 Language Requirements:

The British Council systems and global processes operate in English. Written and verbal proficiency in English is required.

Closing Date:   Applications will close at 23:59 IST on Sunday, 11 October 2026

Important Information:

• Business Division: Finance and Corporate Services
• Pay Band: 7-F
• Country/Location: Taguig- Philippines, Kuala Lumpur-Malaysia, Ho Chi Minh City- Vietnam, Colombo- Sri Lanka, Dhaka- Bangladesh, Noida- India, Kathmandu-Nepal
• Contract Type: Indefinite Contract (Permanent)

• Proof of Identity requirements/right to work in country: Candidates should ensure they have the pre-existing legal right to live and work in the country where the role is based. Mobility / relocation / visa sponsoring support will not be provided. 

 
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.

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