Description

Closing Date: 23-Jun-2024

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.

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.

Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2021–22 we reached 650 million people.
British Council Pay band: SMP/9 - Annual salary offered starts at £55,699 + £3,300 a year London allowance for those living in London
Location: UK (London, Belfast, Edinburgh, Cardiff or Manchester)
Department:  Digital & Technology (D&T)
Contract type: Indefinite (permanent)
Closing Date: Sunday 23 June at 23:59 UK time zone
You must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application; there is no relocation or visa sponsorship support offered.
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.
Role Purpose
As Principal Strategy and Planning, you will be responsible for driving strategic initiatives and for overseeing the planning, the coordination and the execution of business strategies. In your role, you will collaborate with key stakeholders to develop and implement innovative strategies that align with the organisation's goals.
In your role, you will analyse market trends, identify growth opportunities and provide insights to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness. You will also contribute to the development of long-term plans in collaboration with key stakeholders, ensuring alignment with global business priorities.
You will collaborate with various stakeholders in various departments such as the D&T Leadership Team, the Global D&T Team or the Finance Department, and you will provide valuable guidance and support to Senior Leadership in making informed decisions to drive organisational success.
Role Context
The Digital and Technology (D&T) Business within British Council plays a crucial role in driving digital transformation and technological innovation across the organisation. D&T is responsible for developing and implementing digital and technology strategies that align with the British Council’s mission, goals, and regulatory requirements.
Operating on a global scale, D&T ensures that all technological initiatives and systems are efficient, secure, and accessible to all stakeholders, irrespective of their geographical location. It leads efforts in areas such as data management, software development, cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, and digital services, ensuring seamless operations and service delivery across the organisation.
This business unit is responsible for overall Strategic Planning, Governance and Risk as well as Financial Management while leading on the coordination Strategy development, delivery, and capability development across Digital and Technology.
It is responsible for delivery of Digital and Technology OKR’s, KPI’s relating to Strategy and Capability Planning, and it interfaces across the Digital and technology departments and Corporate Planning.
Main Accountabilities/Responsibilities
Consultancy, analysis and problem-solving
Understand the needs and expectations of and provide expert guidance and support to internal stakeholders in developing strategic plans, meeting their strategic goals and resolving complex business challenges.
Conduct thorough analysis of market trends, industry dynamics, and competitive landscape to identify opportunities and risks.
Internal customer focus:
Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and effective delivery of projects and initiatives.
Service improvement:
Continuously evaluate and enhance strategic planning processes to drive efficiency and effectiveness across the organisation, identifying areas for improvement and implement strategies to optimise performance and achieve desired outcomes.
Functional expertise:
Possess deep knowledge and understanding of the digital and technology industry, staying updated with emerging trends and best practices.
Apply expertise in strategic planning methodologies, frameworks, and tools to develop and execute robust strategies.
Commercial & financial management:
Drive financial performance by aligning strategic plans with budgetary requirements and ensuring effective allocation of resources.
Monitor key financial indicators, analyse financial data, and make informed recommendations to optimise profitability.
Relationship and stakeholder management:
Build strong relationships with key stakeholders, including senior leaders, department heads, and external partners.
Collaborate with stakeholders to gain insights, gather feedback, and foster a culture of collaboration and shared goals.
Leadership & management:
Provide strong guidance and direction to the strategy and planning team, fostering a high-performance culture, effectively managing and developing team members and empowering them to contribute to the overall success of the organisation.
Role Specific Skills
Strategic Thinking: Ability to think critically and develop long-term, innovative strategies that align with business goals and drive growth.
Business Acumen: Deep understanding of the organisation’s industry, market dynamics, and competitive landscape, enabling informed decision-making and collaborative and inclusive strategic recommendations.
Change Management: Proficiency in managing and navigating organisational change, including identifying change drivers, assessing impacts, and implementing change initiatives effectively.
Project Management: Strong project management skills to successfully plan, execute, and monitor strategic initiatives, ensuring timely delivery and desired outcomes.
Data Visualisation: Proficiency in translating complex data and insights into visually compelling presentations or reports to effectively communicate strategic recommendations to stakeholders.
Innovation and Creativity: Capacity to generate and assess creative ideas, challenging the status quo, and driving innovation to differentiate the organisation in the market.
Role specific knowledge and experience required
Minimum/essential:
Minimum of 5 years of experience in strategic planning, business analysis, or related roles.
Demonstrated experience in developing and collaboratively implementing strategic plans and initiatives.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to gather and analyse data to inform strategy.
Knowledge of strategic planning methodologies, frameworks, and tools.
Proven track record of successfully and inclusively managing projects and cross-functional teams.
Desirable:
7+ years of experience in strategic planning, preferably in a senior role.
Experience in the digital, technology, or related industries.
Advanced proficiency in data analysis and modelling techniques.
Familiarity with emerging trends and best practices in strategic planning.
Experience in managing change and driving organisational transformation collaboratively.
Education
Minimum:
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Economics, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent in job experience.
Desirable:
MBA or advanced degree in business, strategy, or related field (e.g. Master in Strategic Management), or equivalent in job experience.
Professional Qualifications/Certifications
Desirable:
Certified Strategy Planning Professional (CSPP)
Project Management Professional (PMP)
For detailed Role Profile and any questions please reach out to: Sabine.Danoffre@britishcouncil.org
A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.
Equality , Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Statement
The British Council is committed to policies and practices of equality, diversity and inclusion across everything we do. We support all staff to make sure their behaviour is consistent with this commitment.  We want to address under representation and encourage applicants from under-represented groups, in particular, but not exclusively, on grounds of ethnicity and disability.  All disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria are guaranteed an interview and we have Disability Confident Employer Status. 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; these will include qualification checks, reference checks, identity & criminal record checks in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.
If you have any problems with your application please email askhr@britishcouncil.org
Please note: Applications to this role can only be considered when made through the Apply section of our careers website. Our ‘ASK HR’ email is only to be used in case of a technical issue encountered when applying through the careers website. Emails with supporting statements and CV/Resumes sent to this email address will not be reviewed and will be deleted.