The British Council builds connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education and the English language. We work in two ways – directly with individuals to transform their lives, and with governments and partners to make a bigger difference for the longer term, creating benefit for millions of people all over the world. We help young people to gain the skills, confidence and connections they are looking for to realise their potential and to participate in strong and inclusive communities. We support them to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications. Our work in arts and culture stimulates creative expression and exchange and nurtures creative enterprise. We connect the best of the UK with the world and the best of the world with the UK. These connections lead to an understanding of each other's strengths and of the challenges and values that we share. This builds trust between people in the UK and other nations which endures even when official relations may be strained. We work on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2019-20 we connected with 80 million people directly and with 791 million overall, including online and through our broadcasts and publications.
Project Management Office Manager, British Council
Role Purpose
The British Council builds connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education and the English language. A key part of the organisation delivering that mission is the English and Exams Strategic Business Unit.
A wide range of projects are needed to deliver English and Exams transformation programmes on a global basis. Each will require multi-year programmes of change. The investment portfolio comprises about £25-35m annual investment spend, with additional spending for systems maintenance and minor enhancements, within a global organisation with £500m+ turnover.
The Opportunity
We are looking for a professional Project Management Office Manager, with experience from different industries with a commitment to driving change which delivers value to our customers. Within English and Exams the project portfolio is diverse from operating models to customer services to developing new digital products.
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the English and Exams Transformation Team as we expand to meet the demands from our business and customers. We are keen to hear from but not limited to people with project experience in HR, Customer Services and Agile ways of working.
Main accountabilities but not limited to the following
Working with peer support from business analysts, business change and digital professionals, to drive effective PMO support, working to a Business Owner ‘customer’ throughout.
To this end the role holder will focus on:
- Establishing excellent standards of planning and information management to ensure that the programme/project plan, budget, risk register, dependency management, benefits realisation plan and business case are updated and are aligned with programme or project status.
- Providing a range of expertise or support to the programme or project team. Expertise and support will cover a range of disciplines including, for example, resource management, knowledge management, logistics and executive support to complex programme or project teams.
- Building and maintaining a knowledge library of programme or project assets which provides transparency to keep the programme on track with business case objectives and more widely support the overall integrity and coherence of the programme.
- Deputising for the Portfolio Lead, Agile Portfolio Lead or Project Delivery Lead as required in forums within E&E and across British Council.
- Briefing new project/programme team member(s) on the programme or project, on knowledge library, tools and processes.
Role specific knowledge and experience
- Experience of working on large, complex or high value projects.
- Experience of working with and realising change within charities, HM Government and private sector (corporate) are all desirable.
Further Information:
Role Benefits:
- Competitive salary offer
- 32 days annual leave, in addition to public holidays
- 6 days volunteering leave
- Career average defined benefit pension scheme
Pay Band – 8 (£33,904 - £41,309)
Contract Type – Fixed Term Contract 2 years (1 post)
Location – UK
Requirements – proof of ability to work in the UK
Closing Date – Sunday, 26 February 2023, 21:59 UK time
A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.
Equality , Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Statement
The British Council is committed to policies and practices of equality, diversity and inclusion across everything we do. We support all staff to make sure their behaviour is consistent with this commitment. We want to address under representation and encourage applicants from under-represented groups, in particular, but not exclusively, on grounds of ethnicity and disability. All disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria are guaranteed an interview and we have Disability Confident Employer Status. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.
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; these will include qualification checks, reference checks, identity & criminal record checks in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.
Please note: Applications to this role can only be considered when made through the Apply section of our careers website. Our ‘ASK HR’ email is only to be used in case of a technical issue encountered when applying through the careers website. Emails with supporting statements and CV/Resumes sent to this email address will not be reviewed and will be deleted.