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.

Role Purpose

The purpose of this role is to set a three-year strategy for examinations to deliver income and surplus for the Dubai exams centre which encompasses the entire geography of Sharjah and Northern Emirates in the UAE. The role will need to align with Global Exams and MENA Regional strategy and work with other British Council colleagues to leverage opportunities and create value. This role is ultimately responsible for building and managing demand, ensuring capacity fill, delivering income/surplus targets, ensuring excellent B2B Customer Service and overseeing quality of B2C customer experience in Oman. As the most senior Exams representative in Country, this role will provide overall leadership for the exams team and contribute to the Country Leadership Team forums.

Main Accountabilities:

• The role needs to protect and secure the position of IELTS within the Dubai Education sector. Market share and market split are the key challenges which face severe competition.
• To grow and develop the schools and global assessments business through relationship-building, maintenance and value-added support for Ministry of Education and awarding bodies and diversifying to new products.
• Assess market, Identify market opportunities/needs using marketing insights to develop & deliver audience led BD & Sales strategy, priorities & plan;
• Supports Exams SM&OP (Sales Marketing & Operations Planning) team activities to meet (daily/weekly/monthly) agreed targets, schedules and deadlines
• Delivers income and margin surplus targets, ensuring new and existing business is operationally feasible and commercially sound working with Finance input/support
• Pulls together and provides Customer and Market intelligence to identify opportunities and works with Commercial Manager to prioritise lead generation
• Analyses clients\' needs and tailors value propositions with expert support where needed. Input into Global Innovation and Business Development strategies working with Cluster Commercial Manager
• Contributes to the CLT (Country Leadership Team)
• Business Pursuit, RO influencing, networking and key account relationships plan and delivery agreed with Cluster Lead and with relevant colleagues on shared opportunities
• Provides updates on B2B/Sales forecast, actively manages pipeline and drives demand in year and for the following year.

About You (essential requirements for the role):

• 3 years of experience in managing a team
• Business development experience in the Education sector
• Demonstrates the ability to sustain and/or grow a product/service in line with strategic priorities for income and impact
• Experience collecting and analyzing client/stakeholder feedback and using the data to identify business needs and obstacles; works to resolve them.

Desirable requirements

• Detailed knowledge of UK examinations and qualifications.
• Understanding of professional development training

Further Information

• Role: Head of Exams Business Development Dubai & Northern Emirates.
• Number of positions: 1
• Pay Band: 7/F
• Location: Dubai/Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
• Contract type: 2 Years Fixed Term Contract
• Other requirements: This role is open to candidates who have the right to work or have the ability to get the right to work in UAE
• Closing Date: 30 March 2023 (23:59 Gulf Standard Time)

It is advisable to apply in advance to avoid any technical issues at the last moment. Please note that all applications should be submitted in English.

A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.

Equality , Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Statement

The British Council is committed to policies and practices of equality, diversity and inclusion across everything we do. We support all staff to make sure their behaviour is consistent with this commitment. We want to address under representation and encourage applicants from under-represented groups, in particular, but not exclusively, on grounds of ethnicity and disability. All disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria are guaranteed an interview and we have Disability Confident Employer Status. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.

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.

If you have any problems with your application please email

Please note: Applications to this role can only be considered when made through the Apply section of our careers website. Our \'ASK HR\' email is only to be used in case of a technical issue encountered when applying through the careers website. Emails with supporting statements and CV/Resumes sent to this email address will not be reviewed and will be deleted.

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