Manager - Operations

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.

Pay Band: 7

Country/Location: Noida, India

Department: GSS English & Exams (IELTS Operations)

Contract Type: Fixed term contract

Contract Duration: One year

Closing Date: Tuesday, 28 July 2026- 23:59 Philippine Time (GMT +8)

Role Description/Purpose

The post holder will be responsible for overseeing end-to-end financial accounting activities within English & Exams, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with accounting standards and corporate policies.

The position also provides strategic financial oversight, drives continuous improvement, and ensures robust financial controls across Global English & Exams operations. The post holder must be comfortable challenging senior stakeholders to ensure consistent, accurate, and robust financial results while complying with financial accounting processes, accounting standards, and corporate policies.

Role Accountabilities

We are seeking an experienced Manager Operations to lead the delivery of high-quality financial accounting services within a complex shared services environment. In this role, you will oversee end-to-end service delivery, ensuring compliance with accounting standards, contractual obligations, and service level agreements while driving operational excellence across finance processes. You will play a key role in identifying risks, implementing mitigation plans, managing business continuity requirements, and championing continuous improvement through standardisation, automation, and process optimisation. The successful candidate will provide expert guidance on complex accounting matters, ensure robust financial controls, and deliver insightful reporting that supports informed decision-making.

As a trusted business partner, you will build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, proactively communicating process updates, risks, and performance outcomes while ensuring stakeholder expectations are met or exceeded. You will analyse critical financial and operational data, prepare management reports and dashboards, and provide valuable insights that support strategic objectives. In addition, you will oversee governance and compliance activities, ensuring adherence to legal, contractual, and organisational requirements, while promoting a strong culture of information security and operational resilience.

This is a leadership role requiring a passion for developing people and fostering a high-performance culture. You will be responsible for team performance, employee engagement, and capability development, creating an environment that encourages continuous learning, accountability, and excellence. You will drive quality improvement initiatives, embed industry best practices, and ensure the team consistently delivers accurate, timely, and customer-focused financial services. The ideal candidate will be a confident leader who is comfortable influencing senior stakeholders, driving change, and delivering sustainable business outcomes in a dynamic global environment.

Qualifications & Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Finance
• 8–10 years of experience in Financial Accounting and/or Procure-to-Pay (P2P) operations.
• Experience working in a highly secure and controlled environment.
• Strong understanding of P2P processes, financial control frameworks, and professional accounting standards, including local regulatory requirements where applicable, within commercial and/or charitable organizations.
• Proven track record of managing key finance functions and leading high-performing, innovative, and results-oriented teams.
• Demonstrated ability to review processes, identify gaps, and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
• SAP experience is mandatory.

Further Information

Right to Work: Locally recruited

Applications are welcomed from candidates currently in this location with a natural right to work.  

Applications are also welcomed from candidates currently based in other British Council country offices. However, please note candidates must have a natural right to work in the country, on a permanent basis, as immigration clearance and/or on-going visa support is not provided by the British Council for this role.  Relocation support is also not provided. 

India (OCI)

Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holders will need have, or be able to obtain, a valid special work permit issued from Government of India (GOI) to work in the British High Commission (BHC). BHC will not be able to sponsor work visas or obtain/ assist with the special work permit from GOI. Offers of employment made to OCI card holders will be conditional upon candidates obtaining a special work permit.

Note: For requisite special permission to take up employment in any foreign Diplomatic Missions in India, OCI Cardholder must visit https://ociservices.gov.in

SSC Roles

Work Schedule: This is a 24/7 on-site role with rotating shifts, including night shifts. The position offers two days off per week, which may not always fall on weekends. Flexibility and adaptability to a continuous shift-based environment are essential. There is no hybrid work arrangement for this position and it requires working onsite five days a week.

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

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We 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 Statement

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 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 [email protected]