At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a £25m digital transformation programme, ensuring successful delivery across multiple workstreams.
- Company: Join the British Council, a leader in global education and cultural relations.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous annual leave, and a Civil Service Pension.
- Other info: Hybrid working in London with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on digital learning by leading innovative projects.
- Qualifications: Director-level experience in digital transformation and strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.
Location
United Kingdom
Job ID
- 49757
- 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 Ed Tech, 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.
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Programme Director employer: EL Gazette Ltd.
The British Council is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in London that fosters innovation and collaboration. As a Programme Director, you will lead a significant digital transformation initiative, benefiting from a generous benefits package including a Civil Service Pension and 39 days of annual leave. The organisation prioritises employee growth and development, ensuring you have the resources and support to thrive in your role while making a meaningful impact on global education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Director
✨Get Involved in Local Edu-Tech Meetups
Dive into some local edu-tech meetups or webinars related to digital learning. These gatherings are prime spots to connect with professionals in the field, and you might just bump into someone from EL Gazette Ltd. looking for temporary support like a Programme Director. Plus, you’ll get to see what’s trending in education tech!
✨Volunteer for Online Educational Events
Look for opportunities to volunteer at online events or workshops—these can help you gain experience and get your name out there. Your contributions may catch the eye of companies like EL Gazette Ltd. when they’re on the lookout for talented folks for temporary roles in digital learning.
✨Leverage Social Media Groups
Join social media groups focused on digital education, like Facebook or LinkedIn groups. These communities often share job postings for temporary roles and can help us connect with current members at EL Gazette Ltd. who can potentially put in a good word for you.
✨Make Your Passion for Teaching Visible
Consider creating content that showcases your knowledge of digital learning—maybe a blog or a series of helpful videos. This not only builds your portfolio but establishes your credibility in the field. Plus, you never know who from EL Gazette Ltd. might stumble upon your work while looking for a Programme Director!
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Digital Skills:In the digital learning and education sector, it's crucial to highlight your tech-savviness. Make sure your CV includes any experience with e-learning platforms, digital content creation, or learning management systems. This tech flair helps us see you're ready to thrive in our digital landscape at EL Gazette Ltd..
Let Your Passion Shine Through:For a temporary role, we want to know why you’re excited about digital learning! Your cover letter should reflect your enthusiasm for education technologies. Talk about any projects or initiatives you’ve been part of that showcase your passion. This gives us insight into how you can contribute to our team, even for a short stint.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any certifications related to digital education—like teaching online or instructional design—make sure you highlight those in your application. They can really set you apart from other candidates and show us you're knowledgeable and committed to the field.
Tailor Your Portfolio:If you’ve created any digital learning materials, this is the perfect time to showcase them! We love seeing examples of your work, so include a link to your portfolio that features your best creations relevant to the temporary role at EL Gazette Ltd.. This hands-on evidence can speak volumes about your creative capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at EL Gazette Ltd.
✨Show Off Your Creativity in Digital Learning
When preparing for your interview with EL Gazette Ltd., think about how you can showcase your creative approaches to digital learning. Bring along examples of projects or modules you've designed, especially those that highlight your ability to engage students remotely. It’ll help demonstrate your hands-on experience, which is essential for this role.
✨Know Your EdTech Tools
Get familiar with the latest in educational technology tools that are popular in the digital-learning field, like learning management systems and online assessment platforms. Being able to chat fluently about tools such as Moodle or Google Classroom during your interview could give you a real edge and show that you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Flexibility is Key for Temporary Roles
Since this role with EL Gazette Ltd. is temporary, it’s super important to convey your flexibility and adaptability during the interview. Be ready to discuss how you can quickly acclimate to new environments and seamlessly integrate into existing teams. It shows you’re a team player and can handle the ebb and flow of temporary work.
✨Demonstrate Passion for Lifelong Learning
In the digital learning space, showing a passion for education and personal development can really set you apart. Be prepared to chat about how you stay current with trends in digital education and any extra courses or resources you’ve explored. It’ll highlight your motivation and potential value to EL Gazette Ltd. as they seek to innovate in their teaching approaches.
