Exams Director Southern Cluster

Job Description

Location: Harare, Sub Saharan Africa, ZW
Company: British Council

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.

Role Purpose

The purpose of this role is to set the long Exams strategy and deliver income and surplus for the South Africa cluster aligning with Global and Regional Exams strategy. The lead is ultimately responsible for overall team management, team and business performance, customer experience and reputation with a primary focus on leading business development to maximise market opportunities and create value, working collaboratively with other BC colleagues on shared interests/ mutual opportunities, ensure compliance with British Council and awarding body standards, and add value to customer and partner relationships.

Main accountabilities but not limited to the following:

Commercial planning

• Agrees on plans and targets for products/services relative to Market need with Commercial Development Manager and implements.
• Undertakes pipeline governance and management (go/no go decisions) to global framework.

Market & customer intelligence

• Assesses size and shape of market and agree 1-3 year commercial strategy (channel/audience/ geography) based on market and customer intelligence
• Maintains Overview of Marketing Plan for Cluster to ensure it is relevant to market needs.
• Builds professional and personal networks with relevant stakeholders and key buyers across the region.

Winning business

• Sets Vision and goals aligned with Global and Region, signed off by Regional Exams Director and Cluster/Country Leadership for the 3–5-year Business strategy.
• Draws on insights from Operations and Commercial leadership (e.g. market, supply chain developments, business improvements) to drive business growth

Account & stakeholder management

• Establishes and cascades Cluster Account and stakeholder strategies and frameworks and standards.
• Leads and ensures Account Plan standards and governance.
• Ensures alignment with regional / global account strategy.

Analysis & Reporting

• Oversees, reports on demand/supply performance standards across the cluster.
• Implements, reviews, and advises on B2B/Sales forecast, pipeline status and sales.

Leadership & Management

• Ensure right capability in place through leadership development, succession planning and career coaching.
• Identifies requirements and provides platforms for upskilling and knowledge /skills exchange between and within cluster.

Role specific knowledge and experience:

• Managing a large-scale commercial business across several different
• Operating in international and multi-cultural organisations
• Building relationships at all levels of the organisation
• Responsible for cluster performance, customer experience and reputation
• Initiative to perform successfully in a rapidly changing environment.

Minimum requirements:

• University degree in any subject or qualification in a relevant field

Desirable:

• Management Qualifications
• CIM Diplomas

Further Information

• Pay Band – BRC-8-F
• Contract Type – Three (3) Years Fixed Term Contract
• Department: Exams
• Locations: Botswana, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, or Zimbabwe
  Open for applicants with a natural right to work in Southern cluster countries – Zimbabwe (Harare based), South Africa (Johannesburg based), Zambia (Lusaka), Mauritius, Malawi (Lilongwe), Mozambique and Botswana. No relocation costs will be paid, and the contract will be local. Internal applicants need to be a minimum of 1 year in their current role as of date of application. There may be a second interview for applicants in this role depending on requirements.
• Role holder must have existing rights to live and work in the country the role is based.
• Closing Date: 1 September 2024 applications will close 23:59 South Africa Time

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 [email protected]

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.