View Vacancy - Director Partnerships

The British Council is seeking a Director Partnerships to work as a key member of its team in Washington DC.

As the UK’s cultural relations organization, the British Council has over 80 years of experience in building trust in communities around the world. For more information, visit www.britishcouncil.us.

Main Opportunities in this role

• The development of a partnerships strategy in the context of the current global economic, social and political climate.
• The forging of new partnerships and maintenance of existing ones, in order to increase the impact of British Council programs in the USA and across the region.
• Raise the profile of the British Council in the USA in the sectors in which we operate in order to demonstrate the relevance of the UK to the USA in the 21st century and contribute to the strengthening of the transatlantic relationship.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work with colleagues across the region and in the Partnerships team in the UK to create a focussed and realistic strategy for partnerships in the USA and the Americas region.
• Identify key drivers for programming in the USA where the British Council adds value in-country, while providing value to the UK.
• Ensure that current and potential partners and funders understand and appreciate the track record of the British Council as the UK’s international cultural relations organization, while taking into account the interests and priorities of funding partners.

• Create team deliverables which develop and deepen relationships with key partners, both internal and external.
• Contribute to the overall development and implementation of the Country Plan as a member of the Senior Management Team.
• Line management of Head Partnership role.
• Identify and propose measures for mitigating risk across all areas of partnership activity.
• Ensure that evaluation is carried out rigorously and that the results are shared with colleagues across the British Council’s global network.
• Demonstrate leadership, accountability, determination and commitment to British Council values.
• Provide expert advice and guidance on program design and development which aligns with the partnership and country strategies.
• Ensure that all contracts are managed effectively and to a high professional standard and that outcomes are delivered on time and within budget.   

• Significant and demonstrable practical fundraising experience (including proposal-writing and contract management) with a track history of success.
• Evidence of having worked successfully with foundations/trusts/corporations.
• Knowledge of US partnership environment.
• Previous management experience.

As the British Council is co-located at the British Embassy please note the following guidance on employment eligibility.  Under US State Department requirements, the Embassy may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Green Card holders or A or NATO visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A or NATO visa you are not currently eligible to work at the Embassy. 

*A visas or NATO visas with EAD cards are acceptable at the Embassy, Consulates, and British Defence Staff (BDS) outposts.  The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas.  All candidates will be subject to background checks and security clearance.