Job Description

Location: UK or Poland

(residents only – relocation and sponsorship not provided)

Role purpose

The Product Manager for Higher Education is responsible for the planning, development, and lifecycle management of a product or product area within the integrated English language learning and assessment portfolio. Across non-digital and digital platforms the Product Manager will deliver the desired customer outcomes for the For Schools / For Higher Education portfolio. This includes understanding market needs, defining product requirements, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and driving product success from conception to delivery in alignment with business objectives and customer needs.

Responsible for the viability of product developments within the product area, the role executes product strategy for developments in the For Schools / For Higher Education portfolio.

Role context

This role is part of a product team that is accountable for the design, development, and performance management of the digital and analogue products that enable the For Schools, Higher Education, and Work propositions. Reporting into the Portfolio Lead they ensure the right product quality, and innovation to support the strategic direction set by the Proposition Directors. The product team ensures products are commercially viable, scalable, and aligned with technology, delivery, and customer needs.​

Main accountabilities

Product Strategy & Planning

• Develop and own specific products or product areas in the portfolio for integrated English language learning and assessment offerings for the Schools / Higher Education Proposition.
• Work with product marketing colleagues to conduct market and competitor analysis to identify opportunities and inform product strategy.
• Align product development with curriculum standards, exam board requirements, and evolving pedagogical and technological trends in English language learning and assessment.

Product Development & Lifecycle Management

• Define clear product requirements and specifications in collaboration with Portfolio leads, Proposition team, learning and assessment design, UX/UI, technology, and content teams.
• Oversee product development from concept through launch, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery, ensuring efficient use of available budgets.
• Manage print and digital product lifecycle: from launch, growth, and maturity to eventual retirement.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with internal teams including Marketing, Sales, Academic, and Customer Management to ensure product-market fit and successful go-to-market execution.
• Build and maintain relationships with external partners, subject matter experts, institutions, teachers and academic colleagues.

Commercial Performance

• Monitor and report on product performance using qualitative and quantitative metrics.
• Use customer insights, feedback, and usage data to optimize existing products and inform future iterations.
• Support pricing, positioning, and promotional strategies in collaboration with Marketing and Sales.
• Ensure developments offer appropriate ROI and are managed to budget

Innovation & Digital Transformation

• Identify and implement opportunities to enhance digital learning experiences, including interactivity, personalization, and analytics.
• Stay up to date with trends in EdTech, language learning, assessment technology, and digital publishing.

Role specific knowledge and experience

Minimum / essential requirements

Proven experience as a Product Manager or in a related product development role within education publishing, EdTech, or ELT.

Strong understanding of English language teaching and assessment methodologies.

Experience managing both print and digital product development.

Excellent project management skills with a track record of delivering complex projects on time and within budget.

Exceptional communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.

Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and customer feedback to guide decisions.

Full time residency in the UK or Poland with unlimited right to work.

Desirable

Familiarity with adaptive learning technologies, AI, LMS/VLE platforms, and digital assessment tools.

Experience working in Agile or hybrid product development environments.

CELTA/DELTA qualification or equivalent knowledge of ELT pedagogy.

International market experience, particularly in high-growth education regions (e.g. APAC. MEA, EURAM)

Familiarity with Design Thinking methodologies

Experience using frameworks to develop value propositions

Language Requirements

Written and verbal fluency in English.

British Council values and behaviours

British council values and behaviours are applicable across our organisation, in all roles and at all levels. They are important because they say what we stand for at the British Council and help us to deliver our strategy. We use them to guide our decision making, as well as guiding how we treat one another and the people we work with. These will be assessed in the selection process. Our values are: Open and Committed; Expert and Inclusive; Optimistic and Bold.

Unit: English & Exams / Product / Delivery and Governance

Work style: hybrid

Pay band: 8

Annual salary range:

PLN 192,000 - 252,000 (Poland)
£38,000 - £46,000 (UK)