British Council
Global Director of People Partnering, Talent & Organisation Effectiveness
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Role Overview
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.
Role Purpose
The Global Director of People Partnering, Talent & Organisational Effectiveness will play a pivotal role in shaping and translating the British Council’s strategic and commercial priorities into clear, actionable people plans that encompass core pillars of our People Strategy. As a trusted advisor to senior leaders, you will act as primary interface between the People function and the business, providing strategic counsel and influencing decisions on workforce capability, learning, culture and organisational performance.
Main Accountabilities
Strategic Business Partnering
- Lead a globally integrated Talent, Partnering and Organisation Effectiveness function, acting as the trusted strategic partner to senior leaders.
- Translate enterprise people strategy into clear business plans, shaping workforce, capability and organisational priorities that deliver measurable business outcomes.
People Strategy & Delivery
- Shape and prioritise demand for People initiatives, ensuring activity is outcome-focused, aligned to enterprise priorities and delivered within agreed capacity.
- Partner across the People function to simplify ways of working, strengthen end-to-end ownership, support fair and consistent reward decisions, and continuously improve the effectiveness of the operating model.
Talent, Learning & Organisation Effectiveness
- Integrate the global talent and capability agenda including approaches to talent acquisition, succession, leadership development, learning and internal mobility.
- Drive organisation effectiveness by embedding capability development into workforce planning and building high-performing teams.
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Knowledge & Experience
Education
Essential:
- Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience in a relevant field including but not limited to; Human Resources, Business or Management, Organisational Psychology or equivalent field
- Chartered Fellow CIPD (or equivalent experience) with evidence of continued professional development in leadership and HR at an advanced level
Desirable:
- A postgraduate qualification (e.g. MBA, MSc in Human Resources, Organisational Psychology or equivalent) is desirable
Experience
Essential:
- Proven track record as a strategic HR Business Partner at Director level (10+ years).
- Ability to translate business strategy into prioritised, deliverable People workforce plans.
- Commercial acumen with an understanding of organisational performance drivers.
- Skilled in influencing senior stakeholders in complex global organisations.
- Ability to lead transformation and organisational change.
- Ability to integrate and collaborate across HR disciplines.
- Data-informed approach to decision-making
- Ability to shape and prioritise business demand within enterprise governance frameworks
Desirable:
- Previous experience operating within global matrixed environments
Important Information
- Location: Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, London
- Working Arrangement: This position is open to flexible working arrangements including home working
- Contract Type: Indefinite
- Pay band: Grade ELL
- Right to Work Requirements: You must have the legal right to work in the location in which the role is based.
- Languages: Written and verbal proficiency in English is required
- Closing date for applications: 23:59pm, Sunday 2 August 2026 (British Summer Time, BST)
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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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