Marketing Operations Manager

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For over 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity.

We work with people in over 150 countries and reach over 700 million people.

We connect. We inspire.

Role Purpose

To support the Marketing Operations team by identifying and tracking projects and processes to drive operational efficiency and improvements across the function. The role will project manage various programmes to improve services, ensure compliance and promote standardisation of the team and across the function. Projects could include procurement frameworks, supporting leadership on reporting and communications, and managing our Marketing Community of Practice.

Main Accountabilities

Functional Expertise

Leads the day-to-day management of projects across the Marketing Operations portfolio, providing regular and timely updates to the Director of Marketing Operations and the Group Marketing Director. Coordinates multiple project activities across internal teams, closely monitoring progress and ensuring milestones are achieved. Supports the wider Marketing Operations team by leveraging knowledge of the marketing and communications network, gathering requirements, organising workshops, consulting stakeholders, developing surveys and drafting communications as needed. Maintains an in-depth understanding of the operational context, opportunities and processes across the Marketing and Communications function, ensuring clear ownership and accountability across the team. Coordinates activities, requests and inputs, including reporting requirements on behalf of the Director of Marketing Operations and the Group Marketing Director. Plans communications and facilitates webinars through the Marketing Community of Practice to promote knowledge-sharing and capability development across the function. Creates clear, compelling and persuasive presentations to communicate key messages and influence decision-makers.

Consultancy, Analysis and Problem Solving

Develops a thorough understanding of marketing needs and identifies opportunities for improvement, supporting the adoption and implementation of best-practice frameworks. Gathers insights and collaborates with cross-functional teams to develop and deliver initiatives that improve existing marketing processes, ways of working and business outcomes.

Commercial and Resource Management

Provides effective monthly reporting on progress against plans and deliverables, budget performance, and the management of issues and risks. Oversees payments, invoicing and expenditure across Marketing Operations budgets, ensuring accurate financial records and reporting in budget management systems and SAP. Applies insights and learning from financial reporting and budget management to continuously improve financial planning, resource management and overall performance within the global Marketing Operations team.

Relationship and Stakeholder Management

Builds collaborative relationships with counterparts in regional marketing hubs to promote alignment, reduce duplication and support the delivery of shared priorities, working together on specific projects and initiatives where appropriate. Actively champions the adoption of marketing best practices through initiatives such as the Marketing Community of Practice. Identifies and engages colleagues across countries, regions and Strategic Business Units (SBUs) to support project delivery and collaboration. Communicates clear, concise and relevant information to stakeholders, ensuring alignment and effective coordination. Develops and maintains professional networks within and beyond Marketing to strengthen expertise, broaden perspectives and share knowledge, learning and experience.

Knowledge & Experience

Education

Essential:

• Degree or professional qualification in digital marketing, technology or business or demonstrable level of equivalent experience

Desirable:

• A project management qualification (e.g. Prince 2 or Association of Project Management APM) is preferred

Experience

Essential:

• Demonstrable knowledge of supporting projects with excellent results.
• Experience of financial and/or procurement planning and reporting
• Solid understanding of the processes and tools that enable effective marketing including trends and best practice
• Experience of dealing effectively with a wide range of stakeholders in a matrix environment.

Important Information

Location: UK (Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, London). Applications are also welcomed from candidates currently based in other British Council country offices, provided they already have the legal right to work in the role location and are willing to relocate. Please note that any relocation costs and associated formalities will be the responsibility of the candidate.

Working Arrangement: Hybrid working

Contract Type: Indefinite

Pay band: 7

Right to Work Requirements: You must have the legal right to work in the location in which the role is based.

Languages: Written and verbal proficiency in English is required

Closing date for applications: 23:59pm, Thursday 19 November 2026 (Greenwich Mean Time, GMT)

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 we 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 and 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 askhr@britishcouncil.org