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.
Pay Band: 8
Country/Location: Noida, India
Department: GSS English & Exams (Services Leadership)
Contract Type: Fixed term contract
Contract Duration: One year
Closing Date: Monday, 13 April 2026- 23:59 Philippine Time (GMT +8)
Role Description/Purpose
The Project Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management and control of small projects, which may form part of a global programme or a stand-alone initiative within the organisation. Overall project value is likely to vary, but totals of many millions of pounds are the expected norm, delivering changes that may span across a global network of 115 countries with diverse requirements, perspectives, and challenges.
The post holder will lead and manage the delivery of small projects within the English and Exams Business, covering all phases of the project life cycle from initiation through to closure. This includes managing change through a matrix of internal and external resources to ensure the effective achievement of organisational objectives
Role Accountabilities
The British Council builds connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education and the English language. We work directly with individuals to transform their lives and with governments and partners to create long-term impact, benefiting millions of people worldwide. Our English and Exams work spans over 100 countries, helping learners and teachers access high-quality education, internationally recognised qualifications and improved employment prospects. Every year, millions of people gain skills and opportunities through our programmes, strengthening inclusive communities and building enduring trust between nations.
We are seeking a Project Manager to lead the delivery of small projects within the English and Exams Business. The role involves managing all phases of the project life cycle, from initiation through to closure, ensuring that both tangible outputs and effective change management are achieved. You will work closely with business analysts, change and digital professionals, and a wide range of stakeholders across the organisation to deliver projects that align with corporate strategy and objectives. With responsibility for projects valued up to 2.5 million, you will oversee planning, stakeholder engagement and benefits realisation, while raising the professional credibility of the English and Exams Strategy and Change Delivery team.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to multi-year programmes of change within a global organisation with a turnover of 500m+. You will play a key role in delivering transformation across a diverse international network, ensuring that projects are designed and delivered to meet the needs of stakeholders in over 115 countries. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, relationship-building skills and the ability to manage complex projects that make a lasting difference in education and cultural exchange worldwide.
Qualifications & Experience
- Education: Degree level qualification or equivalent professional experience.
- Certification and Professional Qualifications: A recognised professional project Management qualification, e.g. PRINCE2, Agile or Association of Project Managers.
- Experience working on small projects.
- Proven track record of delivering projects on time, to quality standards, and within budget in complex stakeholder settings.
- Demonstrable knowledge and experience of Agile ways of working.
Role Specific Skills
Leadership & management
- Provide inspiring and motivational leadership that role-models the British Council's values and behaviours, and empowers and enables staff to deliver excellence, whilst promoting equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Leads and controls a large range of resources globally, ensuring clear communication of goals and expectations.
- As an experienced project professional, contributes to the development of wider regional and SBU strategies and plans as required.
Project Management
- Liaises closely with global and regional colleagues to clarify and agree targets in terms of project deliverables.
- Implements and adapts project plan(s) in the light of revised corporate requirements, operational changes and local social/economic or political events.
- Ensure the project is structured, staffed, resourced, motivated and task managed effectively to enable achievement of agreed projects objectives in an efficient and cost effective manner.
Customers & stakeholders
- Develops and maintains excellent relationships and communication with internal and external customers to build a clear understanding of their needs and experiences, to inform and enable continuous improvement in the quality of service/project/product delivery.
Risk & compliance
- Uses agreed corporate risk management protocols to determine whether they adequately protect the interest of the British Council when delivering a project.
- Ensures appropriate mitigation plans are in place and implemented promptly to manage delivery safely and effectively in challenging or high-risk circumstances.
Analysis & reporting
- Uses management information, analysis and personal operating experience to identify and make recommendations on improvements to local or global ways of working, processes, procedures and/or resources that will enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
- Implements a range of corporate/regional agreed British Council reporting procedures and holds team(s) to account for maintaining them, to ensure that results are accurately recorded, thereby enabling timely and effective operational decision-making.
Commercial & resource management
- Proposes budgets and undertakes detailed resource planning to enable cost effective, high quality in year delivery of operational activities in the country/team/unit.
- Within agreed corporate procedures and schedules of delegated authority, manages and reports on variances to plan, controlling principal local levers impacting on cost and service provided (e.g. people, processes, resources, suppliers).
Further Information
Right to Work: Locally recruited
Applications are welcomed from candidates currently in this location with a natural right to work.
Applications are also welcomed from candidates currently based in other British Council country offices. However, please note candidates must have a natural right to work in the country, on a permanent basis, as immigration clearance and/or on-going visa support is not provided by the British Council for this role. Relocation support is also not provided.
India (OCI)
Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holders will need have, or be able to obtain, a valid special work permit issued from Government of India (GOI) to work in the British High Commission (BHC). BHC will not be able to sponsor work visas or obtain/ assist with the special work permit from GOI. Offers of employment made to OCI card holders will be conditional upon candidates obtaining a special work permit.
Note: For requisite special permission to take up employment in any foreign Diplomatic Missions in India, OCI Cardholder must visit https://ociservices.gov.in
Work Schedule: The role follows a hybrid model, with rotational shifts, including night shifts.
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 [Confidential Information]
