Job Description

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity.

Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries.

We connect. We inspire.

Education Manager (Maternity Cover)

Important Information:

Contract Duration: Fixed term contract from 1 September 2026 – 31 December 2027

Pay band: 7

Locations: Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Closing Date: Applications will close on 30 July 2026 at 21:59 UK Time

Rights to work: You must have the legal right to work in the country at the time of application. Mobility / relocation / visa sponsoring support will not be provided.

Hybrid model: Mandatory 2 days in the office each week

The Role:

Reporting to the Head of Education, the Education Project Manager role will provide operational support to a range of higher education and schools initiatives that align stakeholders’ international ambitions and priorities with British Council’s global education programmes. A key component of this is supporting the strategic communication and external relations function of the Scotland office’s education work. This includes developing and managing relationships with stakeholders from: the Scottish Government, Universities Scotland, Scotland’s 19 Higher Education Institutions, the Scottish Universities International Group, the Connected Scotland partnership and Education Scotland.

Main accountabilities but not limited to the following:

Product/Programme/Service delivery

• Supports team activities to meet agreed service/programme/product delivery performance targets, schedules and deadlines. This will involve supporting the management and delivery of British Council Scotland's language trends 2026/27, working with the Language Trends Advisory Group in partnership with Queens University Belfast and activity around the Commonwealth Games. The latter ranges from Scotland lead outward and inward missions, to working with teams in Cultural Engagement to support the participation in and delivery of global education programmes for Scotland.
• Manages resources within the education portfolio to ensure that work is carried out efficiently and effectively. This will include agreeing priorities and resolving day to-day operating resource issues, to ensure high quality, consistent and efficient services are delivered.
• Uses digital platforms and technological advancements where appropriate to improve efficiency, impact and quality of project delivery.
• Incorporates specific actions to address safeguarding and EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) priorities in programme design and delivery where relevant.

Customers & stakeholders

• Translates agreed corporate and regional customer stakeholder management strategies into appropriate operational policies and procedures for Scotland.
• Ensures that stakeholder and partner feedback is regularly gathered, analysed and acted upon to drive continuous improvements in customer experience.
• Supports the development and management of relationships with senior education stakeholders, the central global education team and with education teams in priority geographies.

Risk & compliance

• Uses standardised processes to monitor team/unit compliance with agreed corporate risk management procedures relevant to service delivery (e.g. EDI, safeguarding, anti-racism, security policies, financial protocols, anti-fraud measures, cyber security) to protect the interests of the British Council and its customers at all times. Highlights to senior managers any instances of non-compliance.
• Uses standard corporate protocols to assess a range of risks into service/product/programme delivery. Makes appropriate contingency plans to manage delivery safely and effectively in challenging or high-risk circumstances.
• Manages the Monthly Control checks (MCC) and annual compliance check (ACC) process for nominated team to ensure risks & issues are captured across the entirety of the project/programme in a consistent and compliant manner.

Analysis & reporting

• Supports the Head of Education (Scotland) and Communications Leads for UKR with a proactive approach to analysis and reporting that demonstrates the totality of support to and partnership with the education sector in Scotland that British Council provides.
• Ensures data collection on project/programme delivery that supports accountability, decision-making and learning, including on EDI issues.
• Conducts analysis using a range of standard methodologies and across multiple datasets to provide high quality and evidence-based recommendations on procedural improvements and/or highlight resource requirements needed to enhance operational performance

Requirements of the role:

• Experience in using technology effectively in the workplace
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience of project management, particularly client-funded and/or partnership projects
• Experience of managing teams and projects in line with Centre of Excellence Project Management standards
• Experience of working across different cultures and recognising then addressing any unconscious biases
• Experience of promoting equality, diversity and inclusion within project planning and delivery including use of appropriate tools
• Understands and promotes ethical conduct, and able to ensure that own behaviour and the behaviour of others is consistent with these standards and values of the British Council including those set out in our EDI priorities.
• Demonstratable stakeholder management and influencing skills - including n ability to connect and build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
  

Desirable:

• Knowledge and experience of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL)
• Knowledge of and passion for the education sector (schools, further and higher education) in Scotland, and an understanding of the challenges and opportunities the sector is facing

A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community as we believe that a diverse workforce gives added depth to our work. The British Council is a Disability Confident Employer. The Disability Confident scheme helps challenge attitudes, increase understanding of disability and ensure staff are drawn from the widest possible pool of talent. We guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum role requirements. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.

Safeguarding Statement

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 in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.

If you experience any difficulties with submitting your application, please email askhr@britishcouncil.org