Job Description

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.We work directly with individuals to help them gain the skills, confidence and connections to transform their lives and shape a better world in partnership with the UK. We support them to build networks and explore creative ideas, to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications.Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2021-22 we reached 650 million people.Pay Band : 8Contract Type : IndefiniteLocation : SingaporeClosing Date for Application: 14th April 2024, 23:59 Singapore Time (GMT+08)Condition of Employment:International TransferThis role is open to all applicants including those who need to relocate to undertake the role. Candidates who do not have a natural right to work in the country will be provided with immigration clearance and visa support. Please note visa approvals are beyond the British Council\'s control so any job offer will be subject to securing the required right to work. Relocation support as set out in the British Council international relocation policy is available.Role PurposeThe role will lead various exams business project initiatives in East Asia to achieve a more efficient, forward looking, and informed exams business. This will be done by running various projects that increase growth, inform business practices, improve cost control and orientate towards customers and key external stakeholders. The role holder will be required to work across a wide range of exams business functions, and professional services to resource projects and achieve desired outcomes.The role will drive engagement in enablement across the region by providing leadership and effectively communicating the reason for change and the expected benefits.Main accountabilities:
Initiative Delivery

• Strategizes and develops a 2-3 year enablement plan and vision based on business strategies informed by the geographical clusters and drafts a road map for successful implementation.
• Implements a range initiative through wide engagement with all business and professional teams in the region, and globally. Achieve specified, clearly measurable targets that lead in increased revenue, and cost savings.
• Defines and approves SLA (Service Level Agreement) requirements and performance management of supporting functions/external suppliers within a matrix environment.
• Assess business horizon (Global, Regional), impacts & implications, constantly reviewing barriers and enablers to growth success with inputs from Cluster Leads. Agree priorities with RED with input from other key regional team leads, and global colleagues.

Customers & stakeholders

• Develops and maintains excellent relationships and communication with internal and external customers to build a clear understanding of their needs to inform and enable medium-term innovation and improvements in the quality of services and products.

Analysis & reporting

• Uses standard data analytics and reporting tools to validate strategies and planning.
• Conducts or commissions complex, comparative analyses of historic, current and projected business performance data across multiple product/programme/business strands/geographical bases and uses this to identify and recommend improved ways of working, processes, procedures and/or resources that will enhance efficiency and effectiveness in the medium-term. These may include suggested changes regional/corporate policies or plans.

Risk & compliance

• Ensures that recommendations arising from Business Assurance activity is actioned and embedded into enablement initiatives across the region.
• Works closely with commercial teams to ensure all new enablement initiatives have been commercially modelled and can demonstrate return on resources required.

Commercial & resource management

• Oversees and reports on enablement initiatives including quality of team engagement, contribution to surplus targets, growth of business, cost to serve with FP&A support.
• Co-ordinate enablement budgeting for Region, linking with Regional Commercial Development Manager and Marketing Managers for effective delivery planning & review cycle and with Regional Finance, Procurement and HR to agree requirements/review SLAs.

Leadership & management

• Set the enablement plan & business improvement for the Region and resource required to deliver, working with Finance and HR.
• Ensure integration of initiatives into teams, motivating colleagues to ensure commitment to get projects done with active monitoring, tracking & sharing of progress, key learnings in Region.
• Point of contact and relationship manager with global teams and Cluster Leads on new and emerging enablers and requirements.
• Provide inspiring and motivational leadership that role-models the British Council\'s values and behaviours, and empowers and enables staff to deliver excellence, whilst promoting equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Provides input and ensures delivery of a Regional L&D plan that improves capability in teams to deliver initiatives and supports people adapt to new ways of working.
• Shares ideas to implement and identify new operational plans.
• Set effective handover and team working across Operations in Countries and ways of working with Commercial/Business Development.

Role specific knowledge and experience:

• Experience in managing large-scale change, particularly process and technology change across a business function.
• Demonstrates the ability to sustain and/or grow a product/service in line with strategic priorities.
• Takes a pro-active approach to identifying ways in which exams service can be improved.
• Project Management experience
• Experience in Exams business and a thorough understanding of the processes and systems used is desirable.
• Experience working in an Exams environment is desirable.

Role Specific Skills and Qualifications:

• IELTS Level 7 or equivalent
• University degree in any subject or qualification in a relevant field
• Data analysis skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Experience of operating change in a business environment

A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.Equality , Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) StatementThe 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.If you have any problems with your application please emailPlease 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.

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