Head of Education

As Head of Education, you’ll report to the Director Scotland and provide stakeholder management & strategic leadership across our Education portfolio. You’ll play an important role in delivering on our ambition to work for all four nations of the UK.  

This is a visible and influential role in our Edinburgh operation, providing insight and understanding on policy developments, building lasting and meaningful relationships with partners and stakeholders, and ensuring we deliver on our commitments in and for Scotland. 

Over the last 20 years, devolution has taken decision making and accountability closer to the people of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. In addition to our strategic alignment with FCDO and HMG priorities, we are committed to supporting the relevant international ambitions of elected Governments in Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh. We  factor all of this in at beginning of the choices we make, the value we seek to create and the partnerships we build.
 

 
Accountabilities /Responsibilities:
 
Product/Programme/Service delivery

▪    Leads smaller project or significant strand of larger project. Ensures Project Management Plan is in place and leads annual work plans for team; deploys resources efficiently and cost effectively to deliver required income, impact and profitability targets 
▪    Liaises closely with regional and SBU colleagues (and/or the external customer as necessary) to clarify and agree targets in terms of quality/revenue/margin/volume/impact/time/cost

Relationship and stakeholder management 

▪    Develops and maintains excellent relationships and communication with internal and/or external customers to build a clear understanding of their needs and experiences, to inform and enable continuous improvement in the quality of service/programme/product delivery.

Risk & compliance

▪    Uses standard corporate protocols, combined with previous experience and detailed knowledge of the local social/political/security context, to assess a range of risks in to service/product/programme delivery.  Ensures appropriate contingency plans are in place and implemented promptly to manage delivery safely and effectively in challenging or high-risk circumstances.
▪    Investigates any reported instances of non-compliance with agreed corporate risk management policies (e.g. safeguarding, security policies, financial protocols, anti-fraud measures, information management), and takes appropriate remedial action, including escalation to more senior colleagues as required

 
Analysis & reporting

▪    Uses management information, analysis and personal operating experience to identify and make recommendations on improvements to ways of working, processes, procedures and/or resources that will enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Commercial and or finance management
▪    Proposes annual budgets and undertakes detailed resource planning to enable cost effective, high quality in-year delivery of operational activities 

•    Knowledge of and passion for Scotland’s Education Higher sector and Education more broadly.

•    Managing risk – Develops the culture: Has a track record of analyzing potential risks, promoting risk awareness, and holding others to account for their practices.

•    Commercial and business development – Plans and deploys resources:  Negotiates and agrees the resources for a defined area as part of forward planning, monitoring progress and adjusting resources or priorities to meet goals.

•    Communicating and influencing – Uses influencing techniques:   Uses formal and informal negotiating and motivation techniques to influence others’ behavior and persuade them to think and act differently, while respecting difference of view and culture.

32 Days annual leave plus public holidays

Excellent Civil Service pension Scheme

3 days volunteering leave

Job contact :

• Name : askhr@britishcouncil.org
• Email : askhr@britishcouncil.org

Recruitment team

• Email : askhr@britishcouncil.org