Senior Network Business Partner

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 Purpose

The Senior Network Business Partner acts as a strategic advisor and operational leader across the global network, ensuring that organisational priorities, country transitions, and global operating models are executed effectively. The role partners closely with senior stakeholders, regional leaders, and cross‑functional teams to drive network optimisation, oversee country closures, and support global model reviews including the Global Grant Model and ODA frameworks.

The role will also provide support to the Chief Executive and Chairman’s Office, ensuring effective collaboration across the network to understand evolving needs and requirements, and to align FP&A activities with organisational priorities.

Operating at both strategic and operational levels, the Senior Network Business Partner ensures alignment between network operations and Group FP&A standards while advancing organisational governance, transparency, and financial resilience.

Role Accountabilities

Network Strategy & Stakeholder Business Partnering

Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, including direct engagement with executives on network-wide programmes, working closely with the Chief Executive and Chairman’s Office. Represent FP&A in strategic discussions with regional leads, ensuring financial implications, risks and considerations are appropriately factored into decision-making. Provide FP&A support to the Finance Strategic Projects team, contributing to strategic decision-making and delivering core FP&A activities. Provide insights, analysis and recommendations to strengthen network performance and organisational sustainability. Partner with country and regional teams to ensure network governance standards are understood and applied, and collaborate with Country Directors as required based on network priorities and project requirements to ensure alignment and effective delivery of financial insights and support.

Country Closures & Transition Oversight (Interim)

Support the Finance Strategic Projects team to lead and coordinate end-to-end country closure processes, working collaboratively across Legal, HR, Finance, Operations and other relevant teams. Collaborate closely with Finance Strategic Projects on elements of the Turnaround Plan relating to country transitions. Develop closure frameworks, risk registers, communication plans and milestone trackers to ensure disciplined and compliant delivery, while providing regular reporting and escalation on closure progress, risks and interdependencies.

Global Grant Model

Lead the review and enhancement of the Global Grant Model, ensuring strong governance and alignment with organisational objectives. Work with FP&A teams, including Cultural Engagement Regional Grant teams, to assess allocation methodologies, grant flow efficiency and compliance. Present findings and recommendations to senior stakeholders to inform future-state decision-making.

CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Support

Partner with governing bodies across the British Council to strengthen global CSR alignment, impact measurement and risk management. Support due diligence, assessments and network CSR engagement opportunities, providing financial insight and expertise where required.

ODA (Official Development Assistance) Model

Own the organisation’s ODA model, assessing compliance, donor expectations and operational implications. Recommend improvements to strengthen funding robustness, reporting and regulatory alignment, ensuring the model continues to support organisational and stakeholder requirements.

Network Reporting & FP&A Alignment

Ensure alignment of network reporting with Group FP&A standards, templates and governance expectations. Strengthen the consistency and quality of network financial submissions, variance analysis and forward-looking forecasts. Identify opportunities to streamline reporting processes and enhance the quality and timeliness of insights provided to senior leadership.

Other Responsibilities

Provide subject-matter expertise into network transformation initiatives and organisational design. Monitor emerging risks across the network and support the development and implementation of appropriate mitigation strategies. Represent the team in steering groups, task forces and global working groups as required.

Knowledge & Experience

Education

Essential:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
• Recognised International Accounting or Finance qualification or equivalent such as a relevant Accountancy or Finance degree

Experience

Essential:

• Strong experience in global operations, FP&A, network strategy, or international development.
• Demonstrated ability to partner with senior executives and influence decision-making.
• Proven track record leading complex transitions or restructuring (e.g., country closures).
• Advanced financial analysis, modelling, and business partnering capability.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and cross-cultural stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working in matrixed, multi-country environments.

Desirable:

• Understanding of grant flow models, donor funding structures, and ODA regulations.
• Prior experience in federated or decentralised organisational models.
• Familiarity with CSR frameworks and reporting standards.

Important Information

• Location: Bangladesh, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Colombia, Egypt, India, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria, Philippines, Poland, Serbia, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, UK, Venezuela, Vietnam
• Contract Type: Indefinite
• Bulgaria Monthly Salary (Gross): 3,963 EUR – 4,921 EUR
• Poland Monthly Salary (Gross): 24,500 PLN – 33,100 PLN
• Pay band: Grade 9
• Department: Financial Planning & Analysis
• Right to Work Requirements: You must have the legal right to work in the location in which the role is based.
• Languages: Written and verbal proficiency in English is required

Closing date for applications:

Tuesday 29 September 2026 (23.59 British Summer Time, BST)

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