British Council
Contract Management Senior Consultant
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Role Purpose
The British Council is the UK’s international culture and education organisation. We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.
The role is based in the in-house Contract Management team, which provides expert contract management consultancy, advice, guidance, training, and tools to colleagues delivering Cultural Engagement programmes and projects globally in education, culture, and the arts.
Ideal candidates will have an advanced understanding and experience of legal and contractual issues (such as liabilities, indemnities, data protection, intellectual property, and commercial contracting principles) and a good understanding of UK and EU procurement legislation. They will also bring experience of providing effective internal consultancy services to internal customers, influencing and managing relationships with stakeholders, and effectively managing people.
Role Accountabilities
- Provide expert contract management consultancy, advice, and challenge to internal customers globally on contracting and contract management matters.
- Support the development and implementation of a sustainable global contract management support function aligned to Cultural Engagement business objectives, contributing to the delivery of the Cultural Engagement global business plan.
- Apply advanced contract management knowledge to analyse and resolve complex business and contractual issues, developing practical solutions and translating them into clear, concise advice that supports informed decision-making.
- Undertake detailed reviews of client and funder contract documentation, and support contract approval processes through the identification and mitigation of contractual risk.
- Provide line management and support to team members, fostering a culture of inclusion, wellbeing, and high performance.
- Plan and prioritise workload, and manage the allocation and prioritisation of contract management enquiries across the team, to ensure the delivery of responsibilities, enquiries, and project outcomes.
- Build and maintain effective relationships and networks with internal and external stakeholders, coordinating contributions from a wide range of stakeholders to achieve agreed objectives.
- Ensure operational contracting issues and risks are effectively communicated to and understood by senior stakeholders, escalating key risks, issues, and recommendations where appropriate.
- Design and deliver training, guidance, and capacity-building initiatives on contract and risk management.
- Promote compliance with corporate policies and contractual obligations, commissioning specialist advice where required to support informed business decisions.
- Engage proactively with stakeholders to understand current and future business needs, and support the continuous improvement of contract management services and customer experience by identifying opportunities to enhance ways of working, efficiency, and effectiveness.
- Contribute to business planning, team priorities, and continuous improvement initiatives, and support the management and monitoring of team budgets and allocated initiatives, including monthly and year-end financial reporting, applying financial insight to improve planning and performance.
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Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant qualification and experience of contract management consultancy
Experience
Essential
- Knowledge and experience of contract management, contracting, and related legal areas
- Knowledge of UK contract law and statutory requirements
- Knowledge of good practice programme/project management
- Experience of influencing and managing relationships with stakeholders
- Understanding of UK and EU procurement legislation in relation to the procurement of goods and services
- Experience of effectively managing people
- Experience of providing effective internal consultancy services to internal customers
Desirable
- Experience of project/programme management and an understanding of relevant approaches.
- Experience of successfully managing Development Contracts, consultants, and suppliers.
- Experience of working in complex and matrix management environments
- Experience of training and capacity building.
Language
The British Council's systems and global processes operate in English. Written and verbal proficiency in English is required.
Important Information
Location - All UK - hybrid/flexible/remote working arrangements available depending on location and circumstances. The role can be based from any of our UK locations: London, Edinburgh, Belfast, Cardiff. There is an expectation to be in the office 3 days/week if based in any of the UK locations mentioned.
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Contract Type - Indefinite Contract (IDC)
Pay Band – 8
Starting Annual Gross Salary: £40,179 (Plus an additional £3,300 per annum London Market Allowance if based in London)
Benefits for UK - 32 days annual leave, up to 3 days volunteering leave, attractive civil service pension scheme
Background Checks - Employment with the British Council is subject to satisfactory background checks, both before appointment and periodically during employment, as required. The nature and level of checks will depend on the role and applicable local laws.
Proof of Identity & Right to Work - Applicants must have the legal right to work in the country where the role is based at the time of application and for the duration of employment. Visa sponsorship, immigration support, and relocation assistance are not provided for this role.
Closing Date & Time for Applications – 20 October 2026, 23:59 IST (Indian Standard Time)
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
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