Head English & School Education
British Council · Brazil
As a valued employee of the British Council, you already help us deliver our mission to 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.
You are part of our organisation in over 200 countries and territories and where we are on the ground in more than 100 countries.
We connect. We inspire.
Role Purpose
The Head of English and School Education will lead the development and delivery of a strategic portfolio of partnerships, programmes and contracts across mixed funding streams and business models, balancing impact and financial sustainability while delivering country outcomes and UK benefit.
The role leads the English and School Education (ESE) portfolio across School Systems, Empowerment and English Connects, providing technical sector expertise, overseeing business development and ensuring quality and compliant delivery.
The role also shares knowledge, expertise and best practice from the country with global ESE teams and external stakeholders.
Role Context
Cultural Engagement (CE) is one of two global strategic departments within the British Council, bringing together Arts, Education, English & School Education and research. With approximately 1000 staff globally and income of £200 million in 2024/25, CE delivers impact through research and insight, sector engagement, policy dialogue and a mixed portfolio of commercial and Grant and Partnership Funded (GPF) work.
English and School Education supports the improvement of teaching and learning in formal and non-formal basic education systems through three global programmes:
English Connects – open and online professional development opportunities, communities, events and resources for school leaders, teacher educators, teachers and other education professionals.
School Systems – support to international basic education systems and governments, focusing on language policy and practice, foundational learning, professional development, equitable access to education technology, and supporting women and girls to access quality education.
Empowerment – building English language, digital and core skills for disadvantaged girls and young women, displaced people, economically and ethnically marginalised youth and disabled people.
The ESE team delivers these programmes in more than 50 countries through policy advice, research and insight, and grant, co-funded and full cost recovery contracts and programmes, working with UK and international partners, ministries of education and donor agencies.
In Brazil, the British Council delivers its mission through the Associação Conselho Británico. The role requires an understanding of the legal, fiscal and regulatory processes linked to the British Council’s status in Brazil, particularly when leading large-scale delivery and business development opportunities.
Role Accountabilities
Strategy & Planning
Translate corporate and global ESE strategies into a high-impact, profitable country programme aligned with local market opportunities.
Analyse commercial performance and market data to develop and monitor the annual ESE business plan.
Set and monitor team targets, taking remedial action where required.
Ensure ESE projects deliver demonstrable benefit to the UK through partnerships and partnership funding.
Leadership & Management
Provide inspiring leadership that enables teams to deliver excellence while promoting EDI.
Set the vision, direction and annual business development plan for ESE in country.
Lead development and implementation of high-quality programmes that build long-term business and commercial capability.
Contribute to global ESE and wider Cultural Engagement strategy.
Lead, develop and manage the ESE team and its performance.
Brand & Market Positioning
Build strong networks with opinion-formers, government, stakeholders, partners and clients to understand needs and identify opportunities.
Monitor market and competitor trends to inform new products, services and ways of working.
Work with Marketing and Communications to strengthen ESE brand visibility, quality and consistency.
Business Development
Quality assure and sign off bids, tenders and proposals within delegated authority.
Lead pursuit and contracting decisions based on costs, benefits and risks.
Commission specialist advice where required.
Lead complex bids, contract and partnership negotiations.
Ensure all opportunities align with global ESE strategy.
Relationship & Stakeholder Management
Lead key account and partner relationships to achieve commercial and impact targets.
Monitor and adapt account management strategies to improve results.
Coach and mentor colleagues to strengthen account management capability.
Build strong internal and external relationships across ESE, CE, UK and country education sectors.
Sector Expertise & Insight
Maintain country ESE data covering trends, partners and competitors to inform strategy.
Oversee monitoring, evaluation and learning across active global programmes.
Represent the British Council’s perspective and UK capabilities in government, NGO and funder forums.
Consultancy & Problem Solving
Apply advanced technical expertise to solve complex ESE issues.
Use specialist methodologies and technologies to provide high-quality advice and services.
Translate complex analysis into persuasive business cases that influence decision-makers.
Commercial & Financial Management
Produce and communicate business performance reports covering income, costs, results and portfolio impact.
Monitor KPIs and work with relevant teams to address variances.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Promote an inclusive and anti-racist organisational culture.
Ensure people feel valued and treated equitably.
Apply the British Council’s EDI and anti-racism approach and actively engage in related learning and development.
Role Specific Skills
Ability to manage the development and implementation of quality standards for English/education.
Ability to manage relationships with the UK sector and in-country stakeholders.
Experience
Essential
Leadership experience with responsibility for developing and delivering capacity-building education programmes.
Proven experience designing and managing English language-focused education programmes in the country where the role is based, delivering outcomes for boys and girls.
Experience leading proposals/bids for international development education programmes in partnership with national/federal Ministries of Education.
Strong experience designing and implementing stakeholder engagement strategies across diverse stakeholder groups, including multilateral agencies, donors, government officials, partners and academics.
Established credibility and thought leadership in English language education.
Desirable
Understanding of broader education policies and issues relevant to the country context.
Experience planning and managing dissemination of global thought leadership outputs, such as publications.
Experience designing and leading teacher education projects, including online delivery.
Work Mode
Please note- This is an onsite role. We need candidates who are comfortable to work from office minimum of 3 days in a week.
Language
Written and verbal proficiency in English is required.
Education
Minimum
Undergraduate or postgraduate degree in English language or an education-related subject.
Desirable
Masters in ELT, Educational Technology, Education and International Development or a similar subject area.
Professional Qualification & Certification
Desirable
Project management qualification.
- English teaching qualification.
Additional Job Requirements
Proof of Identity & Right to Work
Candidates are expected to have the right to live and work in the country in which the role is based.
Background Checks
Initial and continuing employment with the British Council is subject to an annual background check. The nature of the check(s) and assessment applied will depend on the job undertaken.
Important Information
Location: Brazil
Contract Type: IDC
Pay Band: 8
Closing Date: 27th Aug 23.59 IST
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