E+ Senior Accreditation Manager

• Analyse accreditation and participation data to:
  • Monitor portfolio health and sector coverage
  • Identify barriers to access and participation trends
  • Inform strategic improvements to accreditation processes
• Use evidence and stakeholder insight to continuously refine approaches and guidance.

Stakeholder Engagement & Sector Development

• Build and maintain relationships with applicants, accredited organisations, and sector stakeholders.
• Promote understanding of accreditation as a long-term partnership model.

Governance & Risk Management

• Ensure accreditation is delivered in accordance with European Commission Programme rules, the National Agency Guide, contractual obligations and internal governance requirements.
• Maintain clear documentation and decision-making records.

Team Leadership

• Lead and develop the accreditation function, ensuring effective strategic and operational delivery.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and professional development for accreditation staff and external assessors where applicable.

Planning & Performance

• Monitor performance against any accreditation KPIs, service standards, and Programme targets.
• Report on accreditation performance, risks, and emerging issues to senior management.

Requirements Of The Role

Role Specific Skills:

• Proven ability to design and manage complex, multi-stage accreditation and selection processes, ensuring robust assessment, moderation, and evidence-based decision-making.
• Strong analytical capability, using data, evidence, and insight to inform strategic decisions, manage accreditation performance, and shape a balanced, inclusive accreditation portfolio.
• Highly developed judgement in assessing organisational capacity, strategic intent, and readiness, with the ability to apply criteria consistently while allowing for proportionate, context-sensitive decisions.
• Ability to identify participation gaps, underserved sectors, and emerging opportunities, and translate these into targeted portfolio and access strategies.
• Ability to lead and justify complex accreditation recommendations and oversee high-impact decisions, ensuring robust evidence, clear audit trails, and defensible outcomes.
• Understanding of how to actively manage and evolve an accreditation system, ensuring it remains dynamic and responsive.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, building constructive relationships with applicants, accredited organisations, senior leaders, and external stakeholders while maintaining independence and impartiality.
• Skilled in communicating complex or challenging decisions clearly and constructively, and influencing senior stakeholders on accreditation outcomes.
• Proven leadership capability, with experience managing teams and driving high performance.
• Comprehensive understanding of governance, assurance, and risk management, with the ability to ensure accreditation processes comply with European Commission Programme rules, National Agency guidance, and internal controls.

Minimum/essential

Role Specific Knowledge and Experience:

• Sound understanding of Erasmus+ (or comparable international funding programmes) and accreditation-based delivery models.
• Knowledge of competitive selection and assessment processes, including principles of fairness, transparency, and proportionality and good governance.
• Understanding of organisational capacity and strategic planning, particularly in assessing readiness for programme participation.
• Awareness of participation and inclusion challenges in publicly funded programmes.
• Significant experience designing or managing complex application, accreditation, or selection processes.
• Experience contributing to policy development or programme design at organisational or sector level.
• Experience leading or overseeing evidence-based recommendations and high-impact decisions within structured governance frameworks.
• Demonstrable experience using data and insight to inform decisions and improve participation or portfolio balance.
• Experience of stakeholder engagement and influencing, including communicating complex or challenging outcomes.
• Proven experience of leading teams, developing capability, and delivering high-quality operational performance.

Desirable

• In-depth knowledge of the Erasmus+ Programme architecture, including Key Actions and sector-specific accreditation models.
• Familiarity with the Erasmus+ Quality Standards and the Guide for National Agencies.
• Experience managing or working with accredited organisations or long-term funding partnerships.
• Experience of working within public sector, grant funding, or European programmes.
• Understanding of risk management and governance frameworks in funding or regulatory environments.
• Experience commissioning or managing independent experts/assessors.
• Track record of developing access and inclusion initiatives to widen participation.
• Experience leading operational planning and performance management within a complex delivery environment.
• Involvement in audit, assurance, or review processes related to funding or accreditation.

Language Requirements

The British Council systems and global processes operate in English. Written and verbal fluency in English is required.

Education

Degree or equivalent work experience

Requirements

Please note that candidates must have the pre-existing, legal right to work in the listed locations at the time of application.

This is a hybrid role – primarily working from the office (3 days a week) with home working flexibility.

Mobility / relocation / visa sponsoring support will not be provided.

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.

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