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.
Country Director Wales
Location: Cardiff, UK
Contract Type: Rotational Assignment - 3 years.
Pay Grade: SMPL
Remuneration: £65,000 Negotiable
Closing date : 27 July 2026 at 21:59 UK Time
Requirements: You must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. We are unable to support with visa sponsorship and relocation.
Role Context - About The Team:
- Cultural Engagement Income Category: Accelerate
- English and Exams Income Category: Mature
The country context, outcomes we are working to for Arts and Culture, English for Education Systems and Education for the next three years, and alignment with HMG can be found in the relevant Country Plan here .
Role Purpose - The Job:
The new Country Director for Wales will lead our operations in Wales over the next three years, building on the momentum that has been established.
As the principal interlocutor with Welsh Government and the Welsh education and culture sectors and leading a small but effective team of education and arts sector specialists, the Country Director will use stakeholder interactions to shape our work, identify new opportunities, partners and beneficiaries and build our impact, relevance, visibility and connections across the nation.
The postholder will also lead the Wales team and the wider Wales office through a period of organisational change, as we implement the British Council’s Turnaround Plan to deliver both savings and new growth.
Country Director Wales will join counterparts in Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as the Head of External Relations as part of the UK Leadership Team, reporting to Director UK & External Relations.
Main Accountabilities:
UK and country insight and intelligence to identify cultural relations opportunities.
- Has a thorough understanding of the devolved context and priorities, through extensive networks of opinion leaders and formers and other sources and identifies opportunities to increase cultural relations impact.
- Has a sound understanding of the education and arts sectors in Wales, their aims and ambitions for internationalisation and their role in the wider UK dynamic.
- Ensures insight is organisational, shared and accessible to colleagues, rather than retained by the individual and country
Uses their insight influence global strategies
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Shaping, monitoring & delivering the whole country British Council strategy, narrative and brand - our cultural relations response
- Develop and deliver a strong medium-term (3 year) strategy and annual/multi-year country plan for Wales , with support of arts and education leads in country and in the global teams. Strategy and plans are based on insight and include a compelling articulation of our strengths, niche and value, drawing these from across all areas of British Council, ensuring we aim for the strongest possible cultural relations impact
- Strategy and narrative are aligned with, and inform, agreed sector strategy/global programmes and narratives to enable us to amplify our impact appropriately and ensure our cultural relations response is seen as cohesive
- Strategies and plans are financially sustainable and reviewed as appropriate to ensure they reflect changing internal and external realities
Identifying and leveraging partnership and contract opportunities to deliver the strategy
- Is seen as a strong public face of the British Council in Wales leading and contributing to relevant public debate in ways which strengthen the British Council’s reputation and positions the British Council to work in partnership with like-minded organisations.
- Secures partnership and contract opportunities which align to our strategy and benefit the British Council and UK, through effective market, client and partner insights and networking.
- Builds and maintains strong senior relationships with key agencies, partners and individuals to support the achievement of British Council global and country strategies and plans. Relationship management will follow the agreed External Relations Strategy for the UK, and the approach embedded within the Partnerships and Fundraising Framework, and draw upon skills, knowledge and insight from appropriate country and global colleagues.
Managing stakeholders: FCDO, other UK Delegations, devolved administrations, representatives of UK institutions
- Identify key Wales stakeholders across Welsh Government, the Senedd and leader in the sectors with which we work and maintain proactive, productive contact.
- Key Welsh Government and sectoral stakeholders are actively consulted on our Country Strategy and Plan, including through the Wales Advisory Committee.
- Stakeholders understand and value the British Council’s insight, networks and impact and recognise the British Council’s value in supporting their objectives and those of the wider UK
Lead the Wales team. Overall duty of care
- Support and champion change within the Wales team and the wider office when needed, and instilling a culture which embraces continuous change
- To consistently create 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 particularly through periods of significant change.
Protect trust in the British Council and the UK
- Risks (safeguarding, fraud, IGRM, safety and security etc) are managed effectively across the operation and evidence of this monitoring and challenge is clear (e.g. through recorded reviews of risk register) Concerns are escalated up the management line appropriately
- Compliance with British Council policies and processes, (including amongst teams reporting outside the country operation) is modelled and championed and staff held to account for the same
- Our commitments to EDI, the Anti-Racism Action Plan, and Environmental protection are delivered
Requirements Of The Role:
Minimum/essential
- Ability to balance diplomatic and cultural relations stakeholder-facing responsibility with commercial priorities.
- Commercial acumen and an understanding of business performance and financial drivers
- Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience
Desirable:
- Recent experience of working in-country and an understanding of the government, education and culture sectors and decision-making processes.
Additional job requirements
- Rotational Assignment - 3 years. UK Nationality required
- Regular domestic travel, some international travel. Attendance at some evening or weekend events.
- This role may require security clearance at SC level.
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]
