Consultant - Study USA

We are looking for a Project Manager (Consultant) to join the team for 12 months on a fixed term basis, based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The Study USA project manager is part of a small team responsible for the successful delivery of the Study USA programme; facilitating international study opportunities at US universities and colleges for students and increasing positive outcomes for student participants. You will manage and develop partner and stakeholder relationships in Northern Ireland and the USA.

Study USA is a high-profile international study programme, spending a full academic year studying Higher Education colleges across the USA. Currently, 60 student places are available per year. The Study USA team administers the programme, which includes promotion and recruitment of students, providing support services, and financial management. You will also provide key direct support and serve as liaisons between the programme and the host colleges.

Participating students must be studying in Further Education (FE) or Higher Education (HE) institutions in Northern Ireland and are selected on their potential to achieve academically, contribute to college life, and fulfil an ambassadorial role. The aims of the programme are:

• To develop future leaders for Northern Ireland
• To develop the business and management skills of students from any discipline
• To improve the core skills of participants
• To provide students with an outward looking, international experience
• To raise the economic and cultural awareness of Northern Ireland in the US

Accountabilities are but not limited to:

• Uses their own knowledge of, and insights into Northern Ireland's Further Education and Higher Education sectors to successfully deliver the programme.
• Builds and maintains good understanding of the Department for the Economy's strategic objectives and priorities in relation to the programme.
• Proactive in identifying opportunities for Northern Ireland's education sector to work/study/link internationally e.g. by collaborating with overseas partners and participating in global programmes.
• Represents British Council in Northern Ireland as a recognised, credible authority in education to external stakeholders and audiences.
• Supports relationship management with HE and FE students and stakeholders, and US partners.

• Contributes to planning process for the successful delivery of the programme.
• Considers the role of digital products, services and channels in optimising the impact and sustainability of the programme, working with marketing and digital colleagues.
• Supports the development of internal relationships across the British Council's UK Region and Cultural Engagement teams to ensure that Northern Ireland's education objectives are aligned, understood and achieved.
• Manages a range of agreed activities day-to-day ensuring global standards on programme and contract management are achieved.
• Is responsible for assuring quality and impact and managing issues and risks relating to the programme.
• Collaborates with colleagues, while promoting equality, diversity and inclusion, and incorporates specific actions to address equality, diversity and inclusion priorities in programme delivery through application, selection and placement phases.
• Uses digital platforms and technological advancements to improve efficiency, impact and quality of activity design and delivery.

• Works with the Study USA team and Communications to ensure that the programme is effectively promoted, marketed and communicated across social and print media in Northern Ireland, across the UK and in appropriate international markets.
• Contributes to the development of internal and external communications materials to highlight impactful stories which showcase the impact of Study USA.
• Updates the Study USA website and manages the electronic application and shortlisting process.

• Supports the management of the finances of the project, including raising Purchase Orders, procuring services from suppliers in line with corporate guidelines.
• Responsible for tracking and managing project/programme evaluation; data collection and reporting against British Council and partner impact targets; and project/programme management reporting.
• Works with colleagues on data capture for mapping and other impact-related activity.
• Manages issues with internal and external partners and stakeholders and escalates them when necessary, holding delivery partners, team members and consultants to account for agreed deliverables.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Knowledge of and experience of working with the further/higher education sector in the UK.
• Motivation and commitment to ensure that Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is mainstreamed into programme delivery.
• Experience working on or having participated in a scholarship or grant-management programme or similar that has processes including the evaluation and selection of applications.
• Ability to communicate effectively to diverse audiences, including verbal, written and presentation skills.
• Ability to deliver high-quality outputs to tight timelines.

Important Information:

• Department: Cultural Engagement
• Contract type: 12 month Fixed Term Contract with the possibility of extension.
• Contract Hours: 36 hours - Full time, Monday to Friday.
• Pay band: 7
• Salary: £30,839 - £33,995 per annum.
• Benefits for the UK include, but are not limited to: 32 days annual leave, in addition to public holidays, 3 days volunteering leave, Career average defined benefit pension scheme.
• Location of the role: Belfast, Northern Ireland ONLY. Please note, you will be required to work in the Belfast office for 3 days per week. There will also be occasional work outside of office hours, such as early starts and/or late finishes.
• Closing Date: Wednesday 4th March 2026 at 23:59 UK time.
• Please note that candidates must have the pre-existing, legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Mobility/relocation/visa sponsoring support will not be provided.
• Interviews are planned for 18th – 19th March 2026.