Head Education and English

• Build and maintain excellent knowledge of the UK and Romania education and English sector (and Youth & Skills/Schools) to enable the development of opportunities and partnerships that will deliver the British Council’s cultural relations and financial sustainability objectives.

• Ensure that programme evaluation and insight from the country and the UK is built into programme development and brand positioning.

• Identify, cultivate and manage strategic alliances with key partners and stakeholders in country to ensure achievement of British Council Higher Education objectives.

• Build and maintain excellent relationships with internal partners and stakeholders to ensure effective, integrated and joined-up delivery of the country portfolio.

• Monitor, review and ensure that the education and English programmes in the country are achieving agreed impact measures, and monitoring, evaluation and learning and reporting is in place against Cultural Engagement’s Strategy 2025 and FCDO key performance indicators.

• Share key internal and external issues, including risks and insight with the relevant regional Heads and work to resolve challenges quickly and at the right level.

• Provide regular reports on the performance of Education and English at business reviews and other points as required by region and the SBU.

• Supports the development and management of relationships with strategic clients and partners.

• Applies due diligence requirements to potential partners.

• Coordinates research in country/regional context such as analysis of client and partner trends and opportunities.

• Manages network of associate advisors, consultants and partners.

• Embeds effective processes, standards and tools to support pipeline and consultant/partner relationship management.

• Manages or supports the development of high-quality bids/ proposals.

• Participates in contract negotiations with partners and clients, and prepares agreements such as non-disclosure, pre-bid, contract and partner and consultant agreements.

• Ensures timely reporting and communication on externally funded contracts/grant funded initiatives.

• Participates in programme and project reviews and closure activities, helping to ensure learning is embedded in the development of new business.

• Where needed further focus and refine the country education and English portfolio in line with regional/global programmes.

• Implementation of appropriate and effective Programme Based Planning (PBP).

• Ensure the work across the country connects and works across and with Cultural Engagement colleagues in the region and in the UK collaboratively and effectively. Ensure a spirit of sharing/learning and working collaboratively whether at a country level or as part of the wider regional Cultural Engagement team.

• This role will have direct line management in some countries. Leadership and people management skills will therefore be a mix of line management, matrix working and influencing.

• Degree and/or equivalent and/or equivalent experience

• Knowledge of the UK Education and English sectors

• Ability to demonstrate understanding of trends in education (Youth & Skills and Schools work) and English in Romania and relate them to British Council’s strategic priorities in the region

• Understanding importance of working with and through other key stakeholders

• Strong commitment to our organisational values, well-being, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Anti-Racism as demonstrated through behaviours and experience in the workplace

• Strategic positioning and ability to shape the future working with and through others

• Expertise and strategic focus in Education (including Youth & Skills and Schools) and English

• Relationship building and management

• Influencing skills

• Strong presentation and communication skills

• Business & Commercial acumen

• C1 English
• C2 Romanian

• Private medical services package

• 13th salary

• End of service payment according to the years worked in British Council (min. 2 years)

• 100% discount on English courses and any exam offered by the British Council / one single time/year / one single exam and for first degree relatives

• Employee Assistance Program

• Access to online learning and development platforms

• Vacation days according to the years of work

• Additional free days (Study leave 5 days, adoption leave 20 days and other)

• Working Hours: 7+1 (flexible start/end)

• Office Location Romana Square