Programme Director

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.