FP&A Organisation Design Transition Lead

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 Role 

British Council’s Finance Transformation programme is implementing a new FP&A organisational structure alongside the introduction of an advanced Financial Planning & Analysis tool and enhanced processes.

The FP&A Organisation Design Transition Lead will be a key member of the FP&A transformation team, working alongside the FP&A Organisation Design Lead to implement the future FP&A organisation design. The role will oversee readiness for change, implementation activities, issue resolution and post-go-live stabilisation.

The role will involve significant senior stakeholder engagement across Finance, FP&A, and wider business functions, working with SMEs to drive change, embed new ways of working and deliver the intended transformation benefits.

Main responsibilities

• Work within the Organisation Design team to develop capability and ways-of-working approaches, oversee execution of recruitment and role transitions, and track workforce movements against the approved organisation design.
• Coordinate knowledge transfer, onboarding and offboarding activities, ensuring critical operational knowledge is captured, business continuity is maintained, and local policy and regulatory requirements are met across countries and functional areas.
• Lead go-live readiness and post-go-live stabilisation across people, process, governance, technology and operations, including readiness assessments, issue resolution and adoption of the new organisational structure.
• Manage queries, risks, dependencies and feedback, support change communications and leadership briefings, maintain implementation guidance and FAQs, and coordinate the governance framework, decision-making forums and status reporting.
• Manage post Go-Live stabilisation health checks to ensure that the new organisation structure and ways of working are being adopted. Coordinate resolution of transition-related issues during the stabilisation period.
• Support leadership briefings, town halls, and implementation communications as required.
• Contribute to change impact analysis, business case and benefits modelling to support delivery of the transformation.

Role specific skills

• Excellent communication and senior stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organisation.
• Strong analytical skills, business case modelling and business benefits modelling.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritise tasks, and meet tight deadlines. 
• Sound understanding of finance or business processes, systems, and best practices, with a focus on process optimisation and standardisation. 
• Proficiency in change management methodologies and tools, with the ability to drive cultural change and build a change-ready organisation. 
• Strategic mindset with a focus on driving innovation, continuous improvement, and value creation for the business.

Role specific knowledge and experience

Minimum/essential

• Proven experience in leading complex transition and transformation initiatives within the Finance function, preferably covering a multinational organisation or centre of excellence environment. 
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint
• Desire to work in a project environment where each team member has defined responsibilities to deliver analysis, design ideas, and design documentation to a set timeline, working as part of a collaborative team
• Enthusiasm for collaboration and ability to liaise with and engage with stakeholders from across the British Council in, Finance (FP&A), and Business Planning, People Function and Digital & Technology Stakeholders too.
• Significant experience of maintaining stakeholder networks to implement new processes
• Significant experience of transformation leadership, including working with varied stakeholders

Desirable

• Experience in Finance Planning & Analysis transformation
• Specific industry experiences relevant to the British Council 

• Expertise in systems implementations
• Proven expertise in the areas of understanding required (see essential role aspects)

Language Requirements

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

Education

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.

Professional Qualification and Certification

Minimum/essential:

• 5-10 years+ experience of working in transformation programmes 

Desirable:

• Relevant project/programme management qualifications (PRINCE2, APM, PMQ etc)

British Council | Pay Band 9

Location: London, Edinburgh, Belfast, Cardiff, United Kingdom

Department: Finance 

Contract: Fixed-term contract for one year, with the possibility of extension.

Apply by: Monday, October 5th (11:59 PM)
Interview Date, TBD

Preference will be given to candidates who are available to join immediately or at short notice.

Please note that candidates must have the pre-existing, legal right to work in the Uk at the time application.  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