We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For over 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity.
We work with people in over 150 countries and reach over 700 million people.
We connect. We inspire.
The Global Head of Off-Payroll is a strategic leadership role responsible for shaping and enhancing the British Council's global approach to engaging contingent workers, freelancers and independent contractors. The role requires a blend of off-payroll subject matter expertise, compliance and governance knowledge, supplier and stakeholder management capability, and the ability to lead organisational change within a complex international environment. Working closely with the Global Resourcing Director, People Business Partners, Business Unit Leadership Teams and Country Directors, the postholder will develop and deliver strategies that strengthen recruitment performance, improve operational efficiency, enhance workforce visibility, and ensure compliant off-payroll engagement across multiple countries. The successful candidate will be expected to balance immediate operational improvements, including onboarding, governance and delivery challenges, with the establishment of a scalable long-term operating model. A key aspect of the role will be the ability to use data, reporting and performance insights to drive business improvement, support decision-making, and provide effective oversight of global off-payroll activity.
The Global Head of Off-Payroll is responsible for defining and delivering the organisation's global off-payroll strategy, ensuring the effective, compliant and cost-efficient engagement of contingent workers, freelancers and independent contractors across multiple countries. The role leads the development of workforce planning, resource forecasting and off-payroll talent acquisition strategies to improve recruitment quality, speed and compliance while meeting future workforce demands. As a senior leader, the postholder will build and develop a specialist team, establish scalable support structures, and lead change management initiatives to enhance capability across the hiring community. Working in partnership with HR, Legal, Finance, Procurement, Talent Acquisition and business leaders, the role oversees supplier and vendor relationships, including MSPs, payroll providers, screening partners and workforce technology platforms, ensuring effective governance and service delivery. The position also carries responsibility for developing global policies, managing compliance and workforce-related risks, leveraging data and market intelligence to inform decision-making, driving process improvement, and creating an exceptional hiring manager and candidate experience through efficient, consistent and well-governed off-payroll recruitment practices.
Closing Date: Applications will close on 22nd November at 11.59PM UK Time.
You must have the legal right to work in the listed locations at the time of application.
Contract type: Indefinite
Pay band: SMP
Annual Salary: £ 56,813 onwards plus London Market allowance of £3,300 if London based
Location: London, Stratford
Please note that candidates must have the pre-existing, legal right to work in the listed locations at the time of application.
Mobility / relocation / visa sponsoring support will not be provided.
British Council supports working in new ways such as hybrid working, subject to full approval by line management and conditional upon our ability to provide the appropriate level of service. This may not be appropriate for all roles but can be explored at interview.
A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.
A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and we 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 and 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.
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
We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.
We uniquely combine the UK’s deep expertise in arts and culture, education and the English language, our global presence and relationships in over 100 countries, our unparalleled access to young people and influencers and our creative sparkle.
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.
For more information, please visit: http://www.britishcouncil.org
