Director Education

Founded in 1934, The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. It creates friendly knowledge and understanding between the people of the UK and other countries by creating opportunities, building connections and engendering trust. The British Council works with over 100 countries across the world in the fields of arts and culture, English language, education and civil society. Each year, it reaches over 20 million people face-to-face and more than 500 million people online, via broadcasts and publications.

The Director, Education is the lead for all matters relating to Skills, Schools, Higher Education and Science. The postholder will establish and maintain excellent relationships with the British Council’s key education stakeholders and partners in the UK and overseas. He/she will be responsible for developing business, securing a strong pipeline of education programmes and contracts, and boosting the organisation’s reputation and visibility in international education. The appointee will contribute significantly to the shaping of the British Council Education Strategy and will represent the British Council at high level meetings and conferences. He/she will be the most senior adviser in the Education space within the organisation, and will support the CEO and other senior colleagues globally. The Director, Education is part of the new Education leadership team structure, and will be a member of the British Council Management Board. He/she will develop and manage a team of sector experts.

The British Council seeks an exceptional individual with deep knowledge of - and interest in - international education and UK policy. Strong candidates will have led major contracts and/or programmes, and will bring experience in external representation and the ability to provide thought leadership. They will ideally bring familiarity with government as well as some overseas experience. The role requires a strategic thinker and sector expert with excellent relationship-building and influencing skills. Ideal candidates will bring commercial acumen and will be natural ambassadors.

For further details on the role, please visit www.minervasearch.com/britishcouncil . To apply, please send a cover letter and CV to britishcouncil@minervasearch.com .

The closing date for applications is Monday 19th March 2018. 

Please note that in December 2020, the British Council will relocate its new global headquarters to: International Quarter, Stratford, London E20.