E+ Senior Training & Cooperation Activities Manager

As a valued employee of the British Council, you already help us deliver our mission to support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For over 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity.

You are part of our organisation in over 200 countries and territories and where we are on the ground in more than 100 countries.

We connect. We inspire.

The Department for Education has announced that the British Council is set to take on the role of National Agency for Erasmus+. 

In December the UK and EU arrived at a political agreement that the UK would rejoin the Erasmus+ scheme in 2027. That agreement has now been legally formalised under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

The British Council has a longstanding commitment to supporting international exchange. It was a lead partner in the Erasmus+ UK National Agency from 2014-20, where Erasmus+ made a significant contribution to the UK's cultural relations activities, funding 8,091 projects, engaging 583,757 UK participants, and awarding around €1.1 billion to UK organisations.

Job Title: E+ Senior Training & Cooperation Activities Manager

Pay Band: 8
Salary: £40,179 gross per annum
Contract Duration: 2 Year Fixed Term Contract with possibility of extension  
Location: London, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Belfast, United Kingdom  Hybrid – Office Locations
Right to Work Requirements: Current right to work in the UK. The British Council is not able to support or sponsor work visa applications.
Closing Date: Applications will close on Friday 4 September at 18:59 UK Time

We are operating on the basis that any offer is made pending client confirmation of funds.  

Role Purpose

The Senior Training & Cooperation Activities Manager is responsible for leading the strategic design, planning, and delivery of Training and Cooperation Activities (TCA) under Erasmus+ and supporting any network activities as appropriate. The role ensures that these activities enhance the quality, impact, and strategic coherence of programme delivery, while strengthening links between programme implementation and European and national policy priorities.

Reporting to the Head of Programme Management, the postholder sets the strategic direction for TCA and network activity across the National Agency, ensuring alignment with European Commission priorities, including the European Education Area, Digital Education Action Plan, and EU Youth Strategy. The role ensures that TCA and network activities contribute to improving accessibility, participation, community-building, and the overall effectiveness of programme delivery.

The role leads the development of a coherent TCA and network portfolio, including training, thematic and networking activities, evaluation and analysis of programme results, and contribution to European-level events. It ensures that activities deliver clear European added value, are evidence-based, and respond to both programme needs and stakeholder priorities.

Main accountabilities but not limited to the following:

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Lead the development of the National Agency’s TCA and network strategy and annual plans
• Ensure alignment with European Commission priorities and annual programme work plans

TCA/NET Portfolio Delivery

• Oversee the design and delivery of a balanced portfolio of activities, including:
• Training, support, and contact seminars
• Thematic and priority-driven activities
• Networking and community-building initiatives
• Evaluation and analysis of programme results
• Contributions to European-level events
• Ensure activities are high quality, impactful, and aligned to programme needs

Quality, Impact & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure TCA and network activities contribute to improved programme implementation quality
• Oversee evaluation and analysis of activity outcomes and programme results

Integration & Collaboration

• Ensure effective integration of TCA and network activities, maximising synergies while avoiding duplication or double funding
• Work with internal teams to align TCA and network activities with wider programme delivery, assurance, and support functions

Team Leadership

• Lead and manage the TCA team, setting clear priorities and expectations
• Build capability in activity design, stakeholder engagement, and evaluation

Systems & Operational Enablement

• Ensure appropriate systems, processes, and tools are in place to support activity delivery and monitoring
• Oversee improvements to tools, templates, and workflows

Requirements of the role

Role Specific Skills:

• Strong understanding of programme support activities, training, and stakeholder engagement
• Ability to design and deliver strategic activity portfolios
• Strong understanding of policy-programme links and impact
• Experience managing partnerships and networks across sectors
• Strong analytical and evaluation capability
• Ability to lead and influence across complex stakeholder environments
• Experience driving quality and continuous improvement

Role Specific Knowledge and Experience:

Minimum/essential

• Significant experience in programme delivery, capacity-building, or stakeholder engagement activities
• Experience designing and delivering training, networking, or cooperation activities
• Experience working in multi-stakeholder or international environments
• Strong understanding of programme quality, accessibility, and participation
• Experience managing teams and delivering through others
• Experience working with governance, compliance, or programme frameworks

Desirable

• Experience in Erasmus+ or European Solidarity Corps programmes
• Knowledge of European education, youth, or skills policy
• Experience managing transnational or European-level activities
• Experience evaluating programme impact or outcomes

Language Requirements

• The British Council systems and global processes operate in English. Written and verbal fluency in English is required.

Education

• Degree or equivalent work experience.

Professional Qualification and Certification

• Programme/Project Management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, MSP, PMP)

 Requirements:

Please note that candidates must have the pre-existing, legal right to work in the listed locations at the time of application.

This is a hybrid role – primarily working from the office (3 days a week) with home working flexibility.

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.

Note : Role profile is available in Welsh upon request. 

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]