Change Manager - Finance

The Change Manager works with the Head of Change who is responsible for delivering the global implementation of organisational design changes within the Finance transformation programme (FTX).

The role aims to contribute to the long-term embedding of change, including new ways of working, culture, values, and behaviours. This encompasses the successful transition of transactional activities to a third-party Managed Service Provider along with changes to the retained model.

The role involves close collaboration with the global People and Organisational Design team (the core transformation team) to contribute to best practice development and build the organisation's change delivery capabilities, fostering a coordinated approach across the British Council.

Workstream Overview

FTX is a comprehensive initiative designed to revolutionise and modernise the financial management processes and capabilities of the British Council. With a focus on optimising financial operations, enhancing efficiency, and ensuring long-term sustainability, the programme encompasses a range of strategic objectives.

Key components of the programme include the adoption of financial technologies and systems to streamline processes and improve data accuracy. Additionally, it aims to restructure Finance teams across all regions. FTX places a strong emphasis on aligning financial practices with the British Council's mission and values.

FTX is expected to yield significant benefits, including cost savings, improved financial reporting, and more efficient resource allocation. Furthermore, it will enable the British Council to allocate resources towards its core activities, such as promoting cultural exchange and education, and supporting international relations.

FTX represents a crucial step in ensuring the British Council's financial resilience and capacity to continue its valuable global work.

Main opportunities / challenges for this role

• A key challenge for this role is to swiftly adapt and deliver within a short timeframe to meet ambitious targets of FTX.


• The incumbent is responsible for supporting the delivery of change management activities across regions and the corporate centre, which are crucial to the successful delivery of the program. These activities include change leadership, communications, training, knowledge transfer, operating model changes, and the adoption of new working methods.


• The role also requires proactive preparation of the business for the impact of changes initiated by FTX, serving as a liaison between the Central Transformation Core Team, Workstream, and regions., Change Strategy Development


• Develop comprehensive change management strategies aligned with the finance transformation program objectives.


• Analyse regional needs and cultural nuances to tailor change management approaches for different contexts.


Stakeholder Engagement:

• Identify key stakeholders at regional levels and build relationships to understand their concerns, perspectives, and readiness for change.


• Develop communication plans to engage stakeholders throughout the change process, ensuring transparency and buy-in.


Change Implementation:

• Execute change management plans, guiding regional teams through the implementation of new processes, tools, and technologies.


• Monitor and assess the impact of changes, addressing resistance and barriers to adoption promptly.


Training and Support:

• Collaborate with training teams to develop and deliver appropriate training programs for regional staff.


• Provide ongoing support and guidance to regional teams during the transition phase.


Communication and Reporting:

• Create and disseminate regular progress reports to senior leadership, highlighting achievements, challenges, and mitigation strategies.



• Develop clear and concise communication materials to articulate change objectives and benefits to stakeholders.


Continuous Feedback:

• Continuously evaluate change management strategies and adapt approaches based on feedback and evolving project needs.


• Implement best practices and lessons learned from changes initiatives across regions to optimise future implementations.
  
  Strong experience of working in large scale organisational change on a Finance transformation programme.


• Strong experience of working in a programme environment.


• Building relationships with peers across the organisation.


• Excellent communication and relationship skills.


• Strong impact and presentation skills.


• Demonstrable understanding of the impact and management of people and organisational changes.


• Change and programme managements knowledge or experience and use of recognised change management tools and interventions.


• Flexibility, independence, and initiative to perform successfully in a rapidly changing environment.
  
  We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.


We work directly with individuals to help them gain the skills, confidence and connections to transform their lives and shape a better world in partnership with the UK. We support them to build networks and explore creative ideas, to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications.

Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2021-22 we reached 650 million people., 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; these will include qualification checks, reference checks, identity & criminal record checks in line with legal requirements and with the British Council's Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.


• 32 days annual leave, in addition to public holidays


• 3 days volunteering leave


• Career average defined benefit pension scheme


• An unrivalled opportunity for you to get to use all the experience you've built up working in and / or leading global organisations to support us in building trust across the world!