Project & Partnerships Manager

The Role:This role is an exciting opportunity to work with the Ireland team in our cultural relations work in Arts and Education (higher education and non-formal education).The Project & Partnerships Manager role purpose comprises:developing and managing stakeholder relationships,convening and brokering projects,and includes business development work on our portfolio in Ireland.The British Council office in Ireland is located in the EU Region of the British Council global network. We are the only global network office to share a language and a land border with the UK, and in this context we have an exciting relationship with the UK Region, the EU Region, and the wider global network of the British Council.Our work sits within a larger programme of multi-country programme activity in the EU region and the Project & Partnerships Manager will liaise regularly with colleagues across countries in the network.Accountabilities: Relationship & Stakeholder management:Nurtures and develops strong relationships with partners and key stakeholders, within and outside country, ranging across UK government and Irish government, including FCDO, DCMS, DfE, DFAT, arm’s length bodies and key representative organisations in the sectors we work in, providing sector expertise at a country level and feeding relevant insight upwards.Identifies and secures new partners and stakeholders, that are aligned to British Council purpose, values and programmes.Represents British Council in country as a recognised credible authority on Arts and/or Education to external stakeholders and audiences.Provides inputs for well-informed and up-to-date briefings for senior colleagues on current and emerging themes in Arts/ Education in country.Works with colleagues in the region to influence decision-making across regional Arts / Education in Cultural Engagement, building strong internal relationships and networks within the British Council working to develop a strong self-supporting eco-system across Regions.Understands the importance of Marcomms in Relationship and Stakeholder Management and drives Marcomms for Ireland across a range of platforms and contacts. Business development: Contributes to business and partnership development for the portfolio, aligning with country/regional and corporate priorities, systems and processes.Applies due diligence requirements to potential partners.Coordinates research in country/regional context such as analysis of client and partner trends and opportunities.Manages network of associate advisors, consultants and partners.Embeds effective processes, standards and tools to support pipeline and consultant/partner relationship management.Manages or supports the development of high-quality bids/ proposals.Participates in contract negotiations with partners and clients, and prepares agreements such as non-disclosure, pre-bid, contract and partner and consultant agreements.Ensures timely reporting and communication on externally-funded contracts/grant funded initiatives.Participates in programme and project reviews and closure activities, helping to ensure learning is embedded in the development of new business.Project Management:Leads on country portfolio planning working closely with senior leadership, regional and in country colleagues, ensuring portfolio aligns to global strategic framework and is tailored for in country relevance/delivery.Owns and delivers Project Management Plans for Arts/ Education portfolio work.Identifies risks in a project or programme and puts together mitigation strategies with SRO.Responsible for internal and client, procurement, contracting, compliance and reporting.Checks and reports on compliance, managing procurement on a project/programme.Responsible for portfolio data management including timely data entry, quality assurance of data, undertaking basic analysis of monitoring data, and developing progress reports to meet funding needs.Undertakes programme-specific data collection as needed. This includes working with colleagues to identify monitoring and evaluation indicators and tools for data collection, quality assuring all data, and undertaking basic analysis. Commercial and Financial Management:Ensures sound financial planning, working closely with finance teams to ensure British Council and client financial year plans are up to date.Responsible for accurate and timely monthly (re)forecasting is in place, monitoring reports in the SAP system on actuals, monitoring outstanding purchase orders, reviewing commitments, analysing and commenting on reasons for variances to plan and recommending corrective actions.Monitors project finances, including budget forecasting, project reconciliation and financial reporting.Leads on British Council, partner or client reporting and ensures reports are delivered on time, to budget and to a high standard.Compliance to BC financial policies and procedures.Equality, Inclusion & Diversity (EDI):Actively contribute 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 healthUnderstand 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.Role specific knowledge and experience: Essential:Specialist knowledge and developed understanding of trends and practices in Arts and/ or Education in country. Desirable:Specialist knowledge and developed understanding of trends and practices in Arts and/ or Education in the UK.Additional language(s).Experience of living and working in the UK, and / or other countries.Experience of working in cultural relations and cultural diplomacy.Experience of working in Irish or UK government. Role Specific Skills:Intermediate experience in developing and maintaining stakeholder relationships and partnerships in Arts and/or Education.Intermediate experience in leading, managing and delivering high-quality, complex projects from start to finish, on time and within budget in Arts and/or Education.Intermediate experience in experience of monitoring, managing and reporting project finance and compliance in Arts and/or Education.Intermediate experience in procurement, monitoring and evaluation in Arts and/or Education.Intermediate experience in marketing and communications in Arts and/or Education.Fluent EnglishEducation: Graduate and PostgraduateClosing Date: Applications will close at 23:59 IST/18:29 UK Time on Monday, 10 November 2025You must have the legal right to work in Ireland at the time of application.Important Information:Pay Band: 6Country/Location: Dublin, IrelandDepartment: Arts (International Ops - country & regional reporting lines)Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract (1 year)Starting Salary: The gross annual salary for this post is € 41040Requirements:Please note that candidates must have the pre-existing, legal right to work in Ireland.Mobility / relocation / visa sponsoring support will not be provided.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.