Director of Business Strategy and Operations

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.

Role Title:  Director  Business Strategy & Operations

Location: London, UK
British Council Grade: Els
Reports to: Director Cultural Engagement(SLT)

Salary package: base salary up to 106K GBP + attractive benefits package .

About the Role

The British Council is seeking an exceptional Director,  Business Strategy & Operations to provide strategic leadership across Cultural Engagement. This role will drive financial sustainability and growth through specialist commercial expertise, robust business development governance, and deep knowledge of the philanthropic and donor sector.

The Director will leverage extensive networks and multistakeholder partnerships across these sectors to identify opportunities, strengthen collaboration, and position Cultural Engagement for long-term impact and relevance in the UK and globally. They will also set and enable an effective and efficient operating environment to deliver the CE integrated global plan.

This is a critical leadership role, providing direction and oversight for the CE Business Strategy & Operations team and its associated networks. The postholder will champion market data-informed decision-making, partnership development, and organisational excellence, with a focus on:

• Overall commercial sustainability and growth, integrating market insight and external funding  intelligence into CE annual planning, including the integrated income generation plan
• Providing a Centre of Excellence for business development, contracting, project and programme management, and embedding evaluation, EDI, and gender mainstreaming across programmes
• Strengthening business analysis through insight-driven, proportionate reporting, assurance, and standards aligned with sector best practice
• Leading CE workforce and pipeline planning, informed by evolving needs and opportunities within the UK cultural, arts, and education funding landscape
• Providing specialist practitioner leadership in Evidence, Evaluation and Learning (EEL), business development, contract management, and EDI and gender mainstreaming

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy and/or Planning:

• Write the CE business plan, as part of the corporate plan, working with the Cultural Engagement Executive Team and other key stakeholders.
• As part of the annual planning process, to lead on the development of a single CE integrated income generation plan.
• Lead the global CE business planning process (contributing to the corporate planning annual timetable) including managing the preparation of business reviews, reviewing overall progress against financial and non-financial targets and driving continual improvement.

• Leadership & management:

• Represent CE Business Strategy & Operations as part of the Cultural Engagement Executive Team and Grant In Aid board (or similar).  Chair the CE contract and programmes approvals board and CE global leadership group regular meeting.
• Lead a direct team of approximately 65 colleagues globally within the CE Business Strategy and Operations team and provide indirect leadership of the wider CE operations and business development network globally
• Provide strategic leadership and input to key priorities for the CE Business Strategy & Operations team within its areas of specialism. These include commercial sustainability and growth, business development, contract management, CE Workforce Planning, assurance and global standards, EEL, and EDI and gender mainstreaming in programmes.

• Commercial & Financial Management:

• Own the global CE P&L, ensuring financial sustainability and delivery of income targets.
• Ensure commercial viability and effective management of the global contracts and partnerships portfolio.
• Lead business governance and approvals to ensure alignment with CE strategy and risk appetite.

• Business Development & Growth:

• Oversee the global opportunity pipeline and approvals process.
• Work with sector and regional leaders to grow, diversify and strengthen income streams.
• Lead Key Account Management (KAM) across Cultural Engagement.

• Stakeholder & External Relations:

• Represent CE with major funders and partners including FCDO, EU and multilaterals.
• Build strong relationships across CE and corporate functions to ensure aligned planning, data, technology and delivery.
• Enhance the visibility, reputation and influence of the British Council globall

About You

• Strong commercial and business acumen, with the ability to operate in complex internal and external environments, underpinned by strong knowledge of the UK cultural, arts, and education sectors
• Proven experience setting and delivering business strategy at a senior level
• Track record of leading large-scale global initiatives, programmes or contracts with an established network of strategic partners and funders across the UK and internationally, demonstrated success in winning new business, partnerships or donor-funded opportunities,
• Experience leading complex donor or commercial negotiations
• Strong record of managing senior relationships with external clients, funders, governments and partners, and the ability to build and sustain influential partnerships across the UK cultural and education landscape
• Significant experience leading diverse, geographically dispersed teams in an international organisation
• Strategic leadership of multi-disciplinary teams across business, operations and delivery
• Experience leading and embedding change at a global level
• Solid knowledge of programme and project management, assurance frameworks, workforce planning and business continuity
• Strong understanding of operating within a matrix organisation (people, process, platforms and performance)

Desirable

• Experience leading a professional services or specialist function
• Knowledge of international education and/or arts and culture, including geopolitical context
• Additional language capability

About the  British Council

The British Council connects people and organizations around the world through arts, culture, education, and the English language. With a presence in over 100 countries, the Council reaches millions every year, making a positive global impact.

This role sits at the heart of Cultural Engagement, shaping how the organisation grows its income, manages its commercial activity and delivers its global priorities through strong governance and effective operating models.

How to apply:

Applications should be made via our career site – before  Monday , 6th of April  21.59 UK time.

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