Hybrid Role - London
Fixed term contract - 18 months
About the role
British Council is seeking an experienced Digital Programme Director to lead E3, a £25m, 18-month transformation programme that will bring together its adult English learning products onto a single global digital platform.
Reporting as the senior delivery lead, you will be accountable for end-to-end programme delivery, ensuring complex workstreams, suppliers and stakeholders remain aligned to a clear, controlled and achievable plan. You will lead the transition from mobilisation into full build and drive delivery of one of the organisation's most strategically important digital initiatives.
Key responsibilities
- Lead delivery of a large-scale digital transformation programme across multiple delivery workstreams.
- Own the integrated delivery plan, milestones, dependencies, releases and critical path.
- Manage the programme budget (£25m), forecasting and financial reporting.
- Establish and lead programme governance, reporting and decision-making processes.
- Oversee programme risks, issues, dependencies and escalations.
- Drive supplier performance and ensure delivery against contractual commitments.
- Embed AI-assisted and agentic delivery practices to accelerate execution and improve decision-making.
- Build alignment across Product, Technology, Commercial, Procurement and senior leadership stakeholders.
- Lead the programme from mobilisation through build, release and transition into the future operating model
What we're looking for
Essential
- Significant director-level experience leading complex digital or technology transformation programmes.
- Proven track record delivering large-scale, multi-supplier programmes (£20m+).
- Strong programme controls, governance, commercial and budget management expertise.
- Experience managing complex stakeholder groups, including executive and board-level audiences.
- Ability to bring structure, pace and clarity to highly complex environments.
- Experience applying innovative delivery approaches beyond traditional Agile methods.
- Exposure to AI-assisted or agentic delivery models.
Desirable
- Experience in EdTech, digital learning platforms or consumer-facing digital products.
- Experience consolidating multiple products or platforms into a single digital ecosystem.
- International programme delivery experience within complex matrix organisations.
Success in the role
You will deliver a credible, integrated programme plan; ensure suppliers are effectively mobilised and managed; provide clear visibility of risks, budget and delivery confidence; and enable teams to deliver at pace while maintaining strong control of scope, quality, budget and risk.
Assignment details
- Full-time fixed-term/day-rate assignment.
- Approximate duration: 18 months.
- London-based hybrid working preferred.
- Dedicated programme leadership commitment required throughout delivery and post-launch stabilisation.
Base salary: up to £100k
Benefits: Civil Service Pension (up to 27%), annual leave of 39 days p/a including bank holidays, medical cover.
Programme Director employer: British Council
The British Council is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that champions inclusion and diversity. With flexible hybrid working arrangements and a strong commitment to social impact, employees have ample opportunities for professional growth and development while contributing to meaningful initiatives that make a difference in communities across the UK.
