At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Partner-Finding strategy and support organisations in securing European partnerships.
- Company: Join the British Council, a leader in international education and cultural exchange.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working options, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic, supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by connecting people and fostering international collaboration.
- Qualifications: Experience in team leadership and navigating European partner environments required.
The predicted salary is between 44595 - 54505 £ per year.
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.
The Department for Education has announced that the British Council is set to take on the role of National Agency for Erasmus+. In December the UK and EU arrived at a political agreement that the UK would rejoin the Erasmus+ scheme in 2027. That agreement has now been legally formalised under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The British Council has a longstanding commitment to supporting international exchange. It was a lead partner in the Erasmus+ UK National Agency from 2014-20, where Erasmus+ made a significant contribution to the UK's cultural relations activities, funding 8,091 projects, engaging 583,757 UK participants, and awarding around €1.1 billion to UK organisations.
Pay Band: 8
Salary: £40,179 gross per annum
Contract Duration: 2 Year Fixed Term Contract with possibility of extension
Location: Edinburgh, Belfast & Cardiff
Right to Work Requirements: Current right to work in the UK. The British Council is not able to support or sponsor work visa applications.
Closing Date: Applications will close on 22 September at 22:59 UK Time
Role Purpose
The Senior Partner Finder will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational oversight of the Partner-Finding function, ensuring organisations across the four nations are effectively supported to identify, secure, and sustain meaningful European partnerships aligned to priorities set by the European Commission.
Main accountabilities:
- Leading the national Partner-Finding strategy across all four nations.
- Developing coordinated approaches aligned with Erasmus+ priorities and programme needs.
- Managing the Partner-Finding Team, including performance, workload, and development.
- Overseeing complex, high-risk, and strategically significant partner-finding cases.
- Promoting inclusive access to partner-finding support for priority organisations and groups.
- Collaborating with Accreditation and programme teams to strengthen partnership development and sustainability.
- Engaging Sector Leads and Ambassadors to extend reach and identify emerging needs.
- Building relationships with European National Agencies and international partner-finding networks.
- Monitoring and analysing demand, outcomes, risks, and trends to inform strategic decision-making.
- Driving effective use of digital platforms and resources to support European partner identification and matchmaking.
Role Specific Knowledge and Experience:
Minimum/essential:
- Experience leading or managing a team or function.
- Strong ability to identify partner-related risks to programme delivery.
- Experience supporting both first-time participants and experienced organisations.
- Experience supporting organisations to navigate online European partner environments.
- Ability to adapt partner-finding approaches to different sectoral contexts and organisational maturity.
- Experience balancing national priorities with European-wide collaboration.
Desirable:
- Practical experience liaising with other National Agencies or European support structures.
- Strong working knowledge of Erasmus+ programme structures, priorities, delivery mechanisms, funding streams, and timelines.
Education: Degree or equivalent work experience.
The 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.
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.
E+ Senior Partner Finder employer: British Council
The British Council is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London where innovation meets education. With a strong commitment to employee development, you will have access to numerous growth opportunities and a collaborative culture that values diverse perspectives. Join us to make a meaningful impact on learners worldwide while enjoying the unique advantages of working in a globally recognised organisation dedicated to cultural exchange and educational excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land E+ Senior Partner Finder
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by British Council.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like British Council.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at British Council.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at British Council. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace E+ Senior Partner Finder
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of British Council. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like E+ Senior Partner Finder, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at British Council
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of British Council. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
