Head of Education

The Role

Lead the strategy, planning and delivery of the country’s Education, Tertiary Education and Non-Formal Education (NFE) portfolio in Sri Lanka, ensuring alignment with British Council’s global strategy and successful delivery of programmes covering student mobility and internationalisation, tertiary education and science partnerships, youth leadership, youth green skills and client-funded initiatives. Drive business development, income generation and strategic partnerships, manage senior stakeholder relationships, strengthen market intelligence and sector positioning, and ensure achievement of agreed impact and income targets.
As the most senior Cultural Engagement representative in the country, provide strategic leadership and line management to the team, deputise for the Country Director when required, and build strong relationships with government bodies, education institutions, funders, clients and partners. Ensure high-quality programme delivery, contribute to the global Education income generation plan, and embed Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) across all activities, fostering an inclusive culture and advancing the British Council’s mission of building trust and international partnerships.

Main responsibilities
Lead the development and delivery of the country’s Education, Tertiary Education and Non-Formal Education (NFE) strategy and annual plan, ensuring alignment with British Council’s global priorities, Cultural Engagement strategy and local stakeholder needs. Oversee programme and project management, including design, planning, delivery, quality assurance, risk management, digital innovation, monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment. Provide strategic and technical leadership to programme teams, ensuring compliance with organisational standards, policies and contractual requirements.
Drive business development, income generation and strategic partnerships by identifying funding opportunities, developing evidence-based commercial proposals, managing partner networks and supporting contract negotiations. Build and maintain senior stakeholder relationships with government bodies, clients, funders, education institutions and sector experts, strengthening the British Council’s market positioning through research, market intelligence, networking and thought leadership. Ensure effective commercial and financial management, including budgeting, income and expenditure, profitability, performance reporting and achievement of country and global income targets.
Provide effective leadership and line management, fostering collaboration, accountability and high performance while ensuring adherence to British Council values, policies and Code of Conduct. Embed Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), gender equality, disability and social inclusion across all programmes and partnerships, promoting an inclusive, equitable and anti-racist organisational culture. Ensure programme delivery contributes to sustainable impact, organisational objectives and the British Council’s mission of building trust internationally.

Role specific skills

- Strong reporting-writing and presentation skills, including at conferences and sector events

- Ability to communicate effectively with senior stakeholders and negotiate effectively

- Team working and inter-cultural skills, working globally

- Ability to lead digital events on basic platforms (Microsoft Teams) ensuring all corporate standards are met, including those for accessibility and safeguarding.

Role specific knowledge and experience
Minimum/essential

- In-depth understanding of Education sectors of Sri Lanka and of the UK, and of bilateral priorities.

- Experience of delivering sizeable externally funded projects or programmes.

- Direct experience of client-funded contract pursuit and delivery.

- Experience of developing and overseeing monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) within projects and incorporating lessons learned from MEL into programmes and strategy.

- Experience of building mutually beneficial relationships with diverse stakeholders including multilateral agencies, donors, government officials, Education/Higher Education leaders, academics, researchers, civil society organisations, alumni,students and young people.

- Knowledge and experience of embedding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in programmes

Desirable

- Knowledge of international mobility trends of Sri Lankan students seeking tertiary educational opportunities.

- Knowledge of transnational educational trends in Sri Lanka, including academic and research partnerships with local public and private educational institutions.

- Ability to analyse relevant equality issues and identify opportunities to address these in the portfolio.

- Knowledge and experience of non-formal education approaches and pedagogies

Language Requirements

- The British Council systems and global processes operate in English. Written and verbal proficiency in English is required.

Education

- Degree and/or equivalent experience

Professional Qualification and Certification

- Project management or equivalent qualification or equivalent work experience

British Council | 8
Location: Srilanka
Department: Cultural Engagement
Contract: Indefinite Contract
Apply by: 25th Nov 2026
Interview Date TBD

Please note that candidates must have the pre-existing, legal right to work in Srilanka at the time application.  Mobility / relocation / visa sponsoring support will not be provided.   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.