Head of Contracts
Employer: British Council
Location: Anywhere in the UK (Remote with the option of hybrid working from British Council offices in London, Cardiff, Belfast or Edinburgh)
Temporary: 2 Year Fixed Term Contract with possibility of extension
Salary: £56,813 gross per annum
Closing date: 29 October 2026 at 23:59 UK Time
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We 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.
We work with people in over 150 countries and reach over 700 million people.
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.
Pay Band: Grade SMP
Salary: £56,813 gross per annum
Contract Duration: 2 Year Fixed Term Contract with possibility of extension
Location: Anywhere in the UK (Remote with the option of hybrid working from British Council offices in London, Cardiff, Belfast or Edinburgh)
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 29 October 2026 at 23:59 UK Time
We are operating on the basis that any offer is made pending client confirmation of funds.
Role Purpose:
The E+ Head of Contracts will lead the strategic development, implementation and continuous improvement of the contracting, governance and assurance framework for the Erasmus+ programme. You will provide strategic oversight of the contractual arrangements underpinning programme delivery, including agreements with the European Commission (EC), the Department for Education (DfE), suppliers, contractors, consultants and grant beneficiaries.
You will ensure that contractual and delivery obligations are clearly identified, assigned to accountable owners, monitored and evidenced throughout the programme lifecycle. Working closely with the British Council’s Contract Management, Legal, Procurement, Finance, Grants and Programme Management teams, you will provide expert advice on contractual governance, obligations management, compliance and delivery assurance.
You will lead the development of practical guidance, tools, templates and training to strengthen contracting capability across Erasmus+, ensuring that contractual requirements are translated into effective operational processes and that risks, audit requirements and compliance obligations are appropriately managed.
Main Responsibilities:
Leading the Erasmus+ Contracting and Contract/Supplier Management function, setting annual objectives, priorities and standards aligned with programme requirements and wider British Council practices.
Providing strategic oversight of the contractual arrangements underpinning Erasmus+ delivery, including the EC Contribution Agreement, DfE Delivery Agreement, eTwinning grant agreement, supplier and contractor agreements, and grant agreements issued to beneficiaries.
Developing and maintaining the Erasmus+ Contract Governance Strategy, embedding contractual requirements across programme design, mobilisation, delivery and closure.
Owning and maintaining the Erasmus+ Obligations Tracker, ensuring material contractual, funding and delivery obligations are recorded, assigned to accountable owners, linked to appropriate controls and evidence, and regularly reviewed.
Identifying and overseeing material contractual risks, dependencies, overlaps and potential conflicts, ensuring issues are escalated appropriately to Erasmus+ leadership and relevant British Council stakeholders.
Leading the development of end-to-end contractual governance and assurance arrangements, including delivery chain mapping, clear accountability, proportionate controls and effective compliance monitoring.
Providing strategic advice on contracting, contractual obligations and supplier management, working closely with the British Council Head of Contract Management and wider Contract Management team.
Working collaboratively with Legal, Procurement, Finance, Grants, Programme Management and operational teams to ensure contractual requirements are understood, appropriate templates are used, obligations are flowed down effectively, and delivery risks are managed.
Leading contract-related audit preparation and responses for the DfE, European Commission and other relevant assurance reviews, ensuring evidence is complete, accurate, compliant and readily retrievable.
Overseeing contractual compliance reviews and ensuring audit and assurance findings are tracked, addressed and implemented through to completion.
Developing and continuously improving contracting guidance, standards, templates, training and advisory support to promote consistent and compliant practices across Erasmus+.
Building strong stakeholder relationships across the British Council and the wider Erasmus+ programme, influencing senior stakeholders and representing Erasmus+ in relevant organisational forums and working groups.
Leading and developing the contracting function, promoting inclusion, accountability, safeguarding, professional capability and continuous improvement.
Role Specific Knowledge & Experience:
Essential
Significant experience leading contracting and contract/supplier management within a complex organisation or programme.
Experience working within grant-funded, donor-funded or partnership-funded programmes.
Demonstrable experience developing and implementing contract governance, accountability and obligations management frameworks.
Experience translating contractual, regulatory and funding obligations into operational processes, controls and guidance.
Strong experience in contract risk, compliance, assurance and audit management, including using contractual arrangements to manage delivery risk.
Experience working across complex matrix organisations and multiple stakeholder groups.
Demonstrable experience influencing and advising senior stakeholders at Director level, providing authoritative contracting and contract/supplier management advice.
Experience leading specialist teams or professional functions.
Knowledge of UK contract law, statutory requirements and UK and EU procurement legislation relating to the procurement of goods and services.
Experience providing internal and external consultancy services in contract management.
Experience in multi-partner programme delivery and the development of operational policies and controls.
Strong working knowledge of UK contractual principles, statutory requirements and procurement requirements, with an understanding of relevant EU requirements where applicable.
Desirable
Experience of Erasmus+ programmes or other European Commission-funded activity.
Experience of DfE-funded programmes or projects.
Relevant experience in supply chain management.
A professional qualification in contract management, supplier management, commercial management, procurement, law, governance or a related discipline.
Experience designing, delivering and managing complex operational programmes and projects, with an understanding of the needs of major clients, customers and suppliers.
Specific Requirements
Relevant qualification and experience in contracting, contract management and supplier management consultancy.
Written and verbal proficiency in English.
Ability to work effectively across multiple stakeholder groups and professional functions.
Successful completion of the British Council’s background screening requirements, including annual background checks.
Candidates should ensure they have the right to live and work in the country where the role is based. Visa support, if available, is at the British Council’s discretion.
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.
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Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and we 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 and 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.
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