Senior Product Manager in England

Join to apply for the role at British Council. You must have the legal right to work in the stated location (UK). We will not be providing Visa sponsorship and relocation assistance is not provided.

About the Role

This role leads and develops global English & Exams systems, capabilities, and online learning and assessment technologies, ensuring they meet customer needs and solve customer and partner problems through exceptional customer experiences. It is responsible for managing the overall design, innovation, and continuous improvement of these capabilities to support the delivery of the E&E vision for digitally enabled products. The role also ensures that the latest technological developments from the industry are incorporated where they enhance our ability to meet customer needs more effectively.

Responsibilities

• The role sits within a team accountable for the design, development, and performance management of both digital and analogue products that support the For Schools, and Higher Education propositions.
• The team ensures the right mix of products, quality, and innovation to support the strategic direction set by Proposition Directors and partner organisations.
• Products must be commercially viable, scalable, and aligned with technology, delivery, and customer expectations.
• The role provides leadership and establishes the team structure for British Council-developed capabilities, third-party systems, and online learning and assessment technologies.
• It ensures the team is resourced appropriately to meet evolving customer experience demands and supports professional development through structured initiatives and communities of practice.
• It sets the vision for customer experience development across systems and capabilities, aligning with the broader business strategy and financial goals.
• The role works across systems supporting all propositions and plans an integrated roadmap for customer experience delivery.
• The role owns the digitally enabled customer experience for the Strategic Business Unit, ensuring that design, development, and systems management—whether delivered by internal teams or third-party suppliers—meet business standards.
• It ensures that the full scope of the customer experience landscape is understood and that prioritisation frameworks, development approaches, user engagement, and benefit evaluation are robust and effective.
• It identifies customer needs and monitors technological advancements to assess their relevance and applicability in improving customer experience.
• The role also leads procurement and recruitment of external technology providers, ensuring clear service‑level agreements and strong contract management processes are in place.
• In line with the British Council’s commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, the role actively fosters an inclusive and anti‑racist organisational culture.
• It promotes equity, supports well‑being, and engages with learning and development to embed EDI principles into everyday practice.

Qualifications

Required Skills

• Analyzing Data and Problems
• Using Technology
• Managing Risk
• Digital and technology skillset
• Demonstrable experience of agile delivery
• Knowledge and understanding of current Online learning and assessment developments and their application for the English Language Learning and Assessment business and context
• Experience of writing user stories to define business requirements, and managing the backlog and roadmap for digitally‑enabled products
• Knowledge of project management / Agile development methodologies
• Demonstrable broad experience of successfully leading on, developing and delivering global customer experience through technology
• Demonstrated experience of successfully delivering and supporting projects throughout their full development lifecycle.
• Experience of leading the setup of new functions of work within a complex global matrix organization to deliver business outcomes
• Experience of working with and/or leading virtual teams to deliver business objectives / programmes.

Preferred Skills

• Understanding and experience of Teaching, Learning or assessment systems
• Cross product knowledge of British Council operational delivery and usage of technology for that delivery.
• Experience of successful global delivery and change management digital projects on a global scale.
• Knowledge and understanding of AI and its potential for English language learning and assessment.

Pay range and compensation package

Important Information: British Council Pay band: Senior Management Pay (SMPs)

Department: English and Exams

Contract type: IDC

Closing Date: Tuesday 9th December (23:59 GMT)

Location: UK or Poland

Equal Opportunity Statement

The British Council is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level

Employment type: Full‑time

Job function: Project Management and Business Development, Outsourcing and Offshoring Consulting, Business Consulting and Services, and Education.