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- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and oversight for global Contract Finance operations.
- Company: Join the British Council, a leading non-profit focused on cultural engagement and education.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, professional development opportunities, and a diverse work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in finance while collaborating with international teams and enhancing cultural initiatives.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in financial planning and multi-cultural organisations.
- Other info: This role offers high visibility and the chance to influence key financial decisions.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
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Closing Date: advert will close on Sunday, July 27, 2025 at 23:59.
Role Purpose
Reporting to the Director of FP&A Cultural Engagement, this role will lead the delivery of a sustainable and financially successful contracts business, acting as the principal driver of the strategic delivery of FP&A programmes.
The role will be responsible for:
- Finance Business Partnering for Contract Finance, providing financial and commercial analysis; monitoring of financial performance and reporting on delivery of financial benefits from finance programmes and contracts.
- Financial oversight and strategic direction for global Contract Finance operations.
The role-holder will
- help Contract Finance focus on cost management, business development, efficiency improvements, investments, service and process quality, and provide advice on how to balance risk and reward in the contracts portfolio. The role-holder will integrate their activities with and support the aims of the Global Continuous Improvement plan and contribute to achieving successful outcomes.
- be a pro-active, forward looking and strategic thinking finance professional who exhibits a strong grasp of commercial finance, able to provide leadership on financial management of all external proposals and contracts. The role has high visibility, and the individual will need to develop a strong network in the Contact Finance and Commercial Finance teams.
- have a broad base of finance experience and have previously worked with multi-location operational teams in an international setting. They must display an understanding of the organisation’s aims and an ability to connect with both senior leaders and operational colleagues.
Main accountabilities but not limited to the following
- Provide strategic leadership to the Contract Finance team, ensuring strong financial stewardship of client and donor-funded programs while aligning financial management with the British Council’s mission and objectives.
- Champion financial discipline and business acumen within the Contract Finance function, embedding a culture of compliance, insight-driven decision-making, and value-for-money principles across the team and stakeholders.
- Role model leadership behaviours, BC values and equal opportunities and diversity in day-to-day interactions with colleagues at all levels.
- Act as a trusted advisor to the Director of FP&A Cultural Engagement, ensuring financial risk management and Contract Finance operations support broader Cultural Engagement goals.
- Build strong working relationships with Project Managers, SROs and CE leaders to ensure that financial support reflect business needs and adds value.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with donor representatives and key partners, ensuring financial compliance and fostering long-term collaboration.
- Pro-actively share insights to challenge, influence and add value to decision making, optimising opportunity whilst balancing risk. Advise on business decisions within contracts and partnership agreements with finance related dependencies and implications.
- Oversee the financial performance of the contract portfolio, ensuring clear reporting on funding utilisation, contract performance, cost recovery and any financial risks.
- Provide senior leadership with in-depth financial analysis on contract and partnership performance, identifying key trends, risks and opportunities to optimise funding impact.
- Oversee financial reporting to clients / donors.
- Responsible for managing contract audits or agreed upon procedures as required
- Lead the annual and multi-year financial planning process for contract finance, ensuring strategic alignment and financial viability.
Requirements of the role
- Operating in international and multi-cultural organisations.
- Demonstrable understanding of financial planning, monitoring and reporting process.
- Interpersonal, communication and influencing skills.
- Identification and delivery of performance improvements.
- Business partnering.
- Written and verbal proficiency in English is required.
- Qualified accountant with proven experience of successfully managing and delivering similar roles.
Seniority level
-
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
-
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
-
Job function
Education, Finance, and Accounting/Auditing
-
Industries
Non-profit Organizations, Education Administration Programs, and Civic and Social Organizations
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Head of Contract Finance employer: British Council
Contact Detail:
British Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Contract Finance
✨Tip Number 1
Network strategically within the finance community, especially with professionals who have experience in contract finance. Attend industry events or webinars where you can connect with individuals from the British Council or similar organisations.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the British Council's mission and objectives. Understanding their strategic goals will help you align your discussions and demonstrate how your expertise can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed financial performance in previous roles. Highlight your experience in multi-location operations and how it relates to the global nature of the British Council's work.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership skills by discussing how you've fostered a culture of compliance and insight-driven decision-making in your past teams. This will resonate well with the expectations for the Head of Contract Finance role.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Contract Finance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in financial management, particularly in contract finance. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead teams and manage financial performance.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your understanding of the British Council's mission and how your skills align with their goals. Highlight your strategic thinking and leadership qualities, as well as your experience in international settings.
Showcase Financial Acumen: Provide concrete examples of how you've successfully managed financial risks and improved financial performance in previous roles. This will demonstrate your capability to fulfil the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Highlight Interpersonal Skills: Since the role requires building strong relationships, emphasise your communication and influencing skills. Mention any experience you have in collaborating with diverse teams or stakeholders to achieve common goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at British Council
✨Understand the Role Thoroughly
Before the interview, make sure you have a deep understanding of the Head of Contract Finance role. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, especially around financial oversight and strategic direction. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As this role requires strong leadership, be prepared to discuss your previous experiences in leading finance teams. Highlight specific examples where you successfully managed financial operations or improved processes, demonstrating your ability to drive strategic initiatives.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and financial acumen. Think of situations where you had to balance risk and reward in financial decisions, and be ready to explain your thought process and outcomes.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
Since the role involves building relationships with various stakeholders, practice your interpersonal skills. During the interview, engage with your interviewers by asking insightful questions about their current challenges and how you can contribute to their goals.
