Academic Manager

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity.

Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries.

We connect. We inspire.

Role Purpose

This role drives continuous improvement in the delivery of products and services to ensure customer needs, proposition/product performance targets, and consistent quality standards are achieved across new and existing offerings. It also plays a key role in Teaching Excellence, particularly in the delivery of face-to-face courses and their integration with assessment, to enhance teaching performance and learning outcomes. The British Council English & Examinations (E&E) Strategic Business Unit supports the organisation’s mission by providing high-quality English language teaching, learning, assessment, and UK qualifications worldwide. As a commercially run business generating over £700 million annually, E&E operates through close collaboration between Proposition, Network, and Functional teams to deliver the global E&E strategy, align products with customer and market needs, and ensure effective and efficient operational delivery.

Main Accountabilities

• Sector/Subject Expertise

Works with Proposition, Product and Teaching Excellence teams to ensure best practice in pedagogy and assessment is embedded across products and services. Oversees teaching quality, consistency and implementation of Teaching Excellence initiatives including TEAP (Teaching Excellence Academic Quality Plans, TCPR (Teaching Performance Review Project system), L&D (Learning and Development), safeguarding, EDI and SEND. Supports product implementation and contributes to Product Development Stage Gate processes.

• Commercial & Financial Management

Monitors product/service performance, KPIs, risks and reporting using corporate systems. Supports rollout of new products/pilots and continuous improvement processes.

• Market & Customer Intelligence

Provides market insights and customer trends to support marketing strategies, proposition development and commercial growth.

• Leadership & Management

Leads academic teams, supports workforce and succession planning, capability development and coaching, while modelling brand, safeguarding, EDI and SEND standards.

• Relationship & Stakeholder Management

Builds strong relationships with Operations, Marketing, Customer Services, Teaching Excellence and Proposition & Product teams to improve customer experience and business performance.

• Risk & Compliance

Ensures compliance with safeguarding, security, financial and anti-fraud policies, escalating issues where required.

Work Experience and Qualifications:

Qualification

Essential

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent by experience.
• TEFL-Q or British Council recognised equivalent.

Desirable: Masters in English Language Teaching / Assessment or other relevant fields.

Work Experience

Essentials

• Demonstrated experience working in an English Language learning management or assessment development role.
• Experience of working collaboratively with stakeholders across multiple sites / countries to achieve objectives.
• Proven experience and demonstrable success in coordinating/supervising/influencing others in an international educational context.

Desirable

• Use of data, dashboards, and action on interpretation of customer insights to drive customer experience improvements and business performance.

Important Information

• Language requirement: English at C2 level
• Contract type: Fixed term contract
• Contract duration: 24 months (renewable)
• Salary: British Council Pay band - T5 Teacher Pay Range
• Start date (tentative): August 2026
• Working location: Vietnam
• Benefit package:

- International Transfer: This role is open to all applicants including those who need to relocate to undertake the role. Candidates who do not have a natural right to work in the country will be provided with immigration clearance and visa support. Please note visa approvals are beyond the British Council’s control so any job offer will be subject to securing the required right to work. Relocation support as set out in the British Council international relocation policy is available.
- Annual Leave: 35 days of leave allowance per year, plus 14 days public holidays
- Medical Insurance: British Council provided sponsorship for medical insurance in line with British Council policy

A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community as we believe that a diverse workforce gives added depth to our work. The British Council is a Disability Confident Employer. The Disability Confident scheme helps challenge attitudes, increase understanding of disability and ensure staff are drawn from the widest possible pool of talent. We guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum role requirements. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.

Safeguarding Statement

The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults who we work with. We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989. Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.

If you experience any difficulties with submitting your application, please email [email protected]