Director Product Delivery and Governance

Director Product Delivery and Governance Join to apply for the Director Product Delivery and Governance role at British Council Role Purpose The Director, Product Delivery & Governance plays a pivotal role in shaping and managing both digital and non-digital products that underpin the For Schools, For Higher Education, and For Work propositions. This role is responsible for the end-to-end delivery of large-scale programmes and projects, ensuring that products are commercially viable, scalable, and aligned with customer needs throughout their lifecycle. The Director assures value delivery from investments at every stage, streamlines capabilities, eliminates duplication, and optimises third-party assets to enhance efficiency and outcomes. Role Context This position sits within a team accountable for the design, development, and performance management of products that support the strategic direction of the For Schools, For Higher Education and For Work propositions. The team ensures the right product mix, quality, and innovation, aligning with technology, delivery, and customer expectations. Products must be scalable, commercially sound, and responsive to evolving market and regulatory demands. Main Accountabilities The Director will lead cross-functional delivery teams, fostering alignment and motivation to achieve customer-centric outcomes. They will champion a culture of continuous value delivery across the organisation and build a high-performing, agile team. Coaching and mentoring will be central to the role, ensuring teams adopt agile methodologies and improve delivery performance. Governance is key, with the Director ensuring all delivery processes meet standards of efficiency, quality, and compliance, and uphold ethical principles. Strategically, the Director will collaborate with senior leadership to define and implement product delivery strategies that align with business goals. They will guide agile frameworks, establish delivery standards, and ensure outcomes are measurable and tracked for maximum value. Stakeholder management is critical, with the Director maintaining strong relationships across internal teams and external vendors, ensuring transparency and collaboration. Financial oversight includes leading budget planning and cost control, harmonising the vendor landscape, and monitoring ROI to ensure product investments deliver optimal value. The Director will also ensure continuous monitoring of product health and take corrective actions when needed. In a consultancy capacity, the Director will provide expert guidance on delivery challenges, analyse risks, and use performance analytics to drive improvements. They will ensure compliance with Ofqual, UKVI, safeguarding, and ethical standards including AI ethics and EDI. Cybersecurity and data protection will be integrated into all delivery processes, ensuring products meet privacy and security requirements. Essential Core & Role Competencies Finance & resource management Managing projects Managing risk Proven experience in product delivery and governance, with a strong understanding of agile methodologies and toolsets, including Scrum. Experience in ensuring products meet regulatory compliance, particularly in areas like AI, EDI, safeguarding, Ofqual, and UKVI. Experience managing cross-functional teams and facilitating collaboration to drive customer-focused outcomes. In-depth knowledge of budget management and cost control within product delivery frameworks. Expertise in vendor management, ensuring third-party vendors meet delivery expectations and quality standards. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to resolve delivery challenges and continuously improve processes. Desirable A background in project and programme management, with experience across multiple product life cycles from design through delivery. Familiarity with product performance analytics and ROI measurement to assess product health and drive improvements. Knowledge of data protection, cybersecurity, and risk management within the product delivery space. Qualifications An advanced degree or professional certification in a related field such as Project Management (e.g., PMP, Agile), Business Administration, or IT Governance (desirable) Project management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2 or agile etc). Important Information British Council Pay band: Leaders of Major Functions and Geographies (LMFG) Department: English and Exams Contract type: Indefinite (IDC) Closing Date: Tuesday 9th December (23:59 GMT) Location: UK Seniority level: Not Applicable Employment type: Full‑time Job function: Other – Non-profit Organisations #J-18808-Ljbffr