Deputy Director Arts, China

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity.Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries.We connect. We inspire.Deputy Director Arts, ChinaLocation: Beijing, ChinaContract Type: 1 Year Fixed Term RenewableClosing date: 13 November 2025 at 20:59 UK TimeRequirements: You must have the legal right to work in China at the time of application. We are unable to support with visa sponsorship and relocation.Role Context - About The TeamThis role sits within the Cultural Engagement department, which brings together our global work in arts, education, English and research. Our ambition in arts and culture is to strengthen creative and economic development and build trust through connections and collaboration between the arts, culture, heritage and creative industry sectors in the UK and internationally.In China, the British Council has three high-level priorities that cut across all products and programmes:A positive UK relationship with young Chinese (aged 18–35) that creates more opportunities for them to broaden their personal and professional horizons.More young people in the UK with China literacy to empower them personally and professionally, thereby reinforcing the UK’s overall ability to engage with China.A resilient ecosystem for mobility and exchange in education and culture that supports confident engagement between institutions and maximises long-term institutional connections.Our arts work in China contributes directly to these aims. We foster more diverse and informed connections between the cultural sectors in the UK and China, and build the China capability of the UK cultural sector through research, collaboration and exchange. We also support the development of China’s cultural sector, helping to strengthen its creative economy and generate wider social benefits, while growing audiences for UK arts and culture that present a modern, vibrant and creative UK to young people across China. Current areas of thematic focus include collaboration between arts and technology, and values-led work such as arts and disability, reflecting shared priorities around inclusion, sustainability and innovation.The role requires strong awareness of China’s cultural and policy landscape and the ability to analyse and communicate trends that shape collaboration between China and the UK. It also involves supporting the visibility of UK arts and culture in China through partnerships, events and effective communication.As China’s cultural environment continues to evolve, the British Council’s role is to broker partnerships, generate insight, support exchange and enable sustainable collaboration. The Deputy Director Arts will help steer and further develop our arts portfolio so that it delivers both UK impact and local relevance, while also shaping its future direction, including identifying and securing new funding to ensure long-term sustainability.Role Purpose - The JobThe Deputy Director Arts will be responsible for supporting delivery of the British Council’s arts strategy in China and deputising for the Director Arts as required. The postholder will manage day-to-day working relationships with a range of senior stakeholders in Beijing and lead on business development and coordination of the arts portfolio, ensuring alignment with the British Council’s global standards.As a Senior Programme Manager for Arts, the postholder will oversee country project plans, including budgeting, forecasting, financial management, reporting and risk monitoring. The role provides strategic leadership and technical oversight for arts programmes and partnerships in Beijing, reporting to Director Arts, ensuring quality, impact and compliance with corporate standards, including safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion. The postholder will also make effective use of digital tools to enhance delivery and performance.The postholder will bring strong expertise in the Chinese cultural context, with experience of engaging with the cultural sector and/or government partners, alongside extensive professional networks across the arts and cultural sector in mainland China. They will use this knowledge to inform programme design, strengthen partnerships and support effective collaboration between UK and Chinese stakeholders. The role will also include preparing briefings, speeches and other materials to support senior engagement, and facilitating communication in meetings through translation and interpretation where required.Working closely with colleagues across the British Council’s offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chongqing, and with the wider British Embassy and Consulate network, the role holder will ensure that our arts work supports UK government priorities in China and contributes to the British Council’s wider cultural engagement objectives.The postholder will deputise for the Director Arts China, supporting management of senior partnerships and relationships in Beijing. They will also support the country leadership team, building partnerships that create opportunities for long-term collaboration between the UK and China and supporting team capability, delivery and professional development.Main AccountabilitiesLeadership & ManagementCould play a leadership role on a specific component of a larger project or programmeManages delivery teams and/or project team.Manages all EDI processes and ensures comprehensive use of internal tools in programme design and delivery. Maintains an oversight of the action plan developed through the use of internal EDI toolsRelationship & StakeholdersLeads on relationships at a project/programme level. Holds delivery partners to account including supply chain management where applicable.Communicates internally and externally about a project’s success/challenges and lessons learned. Commercial and Financial ManagementManage and control the agreed budget, expenditure and income against plans, ensure accuracy of reports and ensure sound financial management and analysis across the portfolio through monthly finance reviews and quarterly business reviews. Ensure timely and accurate planning and forecasting, timely reporting of risks, including financial and identify opportunities and mitigation actionsProgramme ManagementEnsures that every project/programme is compliant with all internal policies and processes (for example safeguarding, EDI, supply change management, social value and conflict sensitivity).Identifies risks in a project or programme and puts together mitigation strategies with SRO.Responsible for data management including timely data entry, quality assurance of data, undertaking basic analysis of monitoring data, and developing progress reports.Manages, finance, procurement, compliance and reporting on a project/programme. Business DevelopmentSupports the development and management of relationships with strategic clients and partners. Coordinates research in country/regional context such as analysis of client and partner trends and opportunities. Embeds effective processes, standards and tools to support pipeline and consultant/partner relationship management. Participates in contract negotiations with partners and clients, and prepares agreements such as non-disclosure, pre-bid, contract and partner and consultant agreements. Participates in programme and project reviews and closure activities, helping to ensure learning is embedded in the development of new business. EDITo actively ontribute to an inclusive and anti-racist organisational culture, being aware of your own biases, and taking action to mitigate against these. Ensuring people feel valued and are treated equitably, with support for people’s well-being and mental health. Understand the British Council’s approach to equality, diversity and inclusion and how it applies to your role, and make time for learning and development relating to EDI and anti racism. Minimum/essentialRequirements Of The Role:Foundation level Project Management qualification (in-house training or evidence of CPD in this area could be considered)Experience of managing multi country or large in-country programmes that have met project closure and audit standards. Knowledge/ and.or experience of working with at least two types of funding sources within a structured compliance regime.Experience of client management, partner management and/or contract management.Experience of managing a wide range of stakeholders. Experience in spotting risk in a project or programme and putting together successful risk mitigation with SROUnderstanding of MEL principles Experience of managing teams. DesirableExperience of conducting lessons learned reviews/After action reviews to inform future programme design and managementExperience of client management, partner management and/or contract management.Experience of managing dispersed teams.Able to manage delivery of digital events on basic platforms (Microsoft Teams) ensuring all corporate standards are met, including those for accessibility and safeguardingA connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.Equality, Diversity and Inclusion StatementWe are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and 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. 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 StatementThe 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.If you experience any difficulties with submitting your application, please email askhr@britishcouncil.org