Job Title / Regional Head of Research and Consultancy, British Council Services for International Education Marketing (BCSIEM)
Directorate or Region / South Asia / Department / BC SIEM
Location of post / Will be based in one of our four offices in India / Pay Band/Salary range / 8/ Grade E
Reports to / Director, SIEM, South Asia / Contract type / 2 Years Fixed Term Contract
Purpose of Job:
To lead on the commercial development and delivery of the regional research products and consultancy services for BC-SIEM
This role will have particular focus on conducting, commissioning and analysing quantitative and qualitative market research, ensuring that the output is highly relevant and of practical value to the international education customer audience and producing products quickly enough to reflect a rapidly developing marketplace. The individual is expected to have excellent communication skills to be able to provide objective advice, have the expertise and specialist skills with the aim of creating value, maximising growth or improving the business performance of clients.
This role will involve:
1.Strategy Engagement and Business Development
This role will support the development of the business strategy for the region for BC SIEM and managing internal and external client relationships. The post-holder will report the Regional Business Director and will support the achievement of regional business targets.
2. Market research and data analysis
This individual will play a key role in developing and implementing the research strategy for the SIEM South Asia team, in identifying and producing new product lines that are regionally relevant, and in delivering customer-focused products with given resources and on budget. The post-holder will have experience in interviewing, managing and understanding client needs, developing and presenting proposal as well as research TORs, collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data using industry standard software and technology, with high proficiency.
3. Solution-oriented, with initiative and a proactive approach
The post holder will have strong project management, analytical and problem solving skills. He/She is knowledgeable, resourceful with the ability to learn quickly and work to tight deadlines. This person will be solution-oriented and will use initiative to solve problems with a proactive, hard-working attitude.
4. Excellent communication and relationship management skills
To succeed, the post holder will require excellent communication skills to manage relationships both internally and externally across the British Council network and the international education sectors. When necessary this individual will have to represent the team in the public arena delivering high standard presentations to audiences globally. A key element of this role is the liaison with UK account managers for seamless account handling
5. Astuteness to commercial demands and business urgency
This is not an academic researcher/adviser post. It demands commercial astuteness and an understanding of business operations and demands. The post holder will need to be comfortable with setting and meeting deadlines, able to work-in, lead and drive the business of SIEM and has ability to monetise data and knowledge effectively.
6. Delivery of Agreed targets
Each region has a set of agreed business targets that contribute to the global business model. The post-holder will support the delivery of these regional targets. The high level regional targets are not negotiable but individual country targets may be amended as long as the overall targets are met. The postholder will be expected to support key deliverables in this area.
Contextand Environment:
BC SIEM (Services for International Education Marketing) is based upon a regional model of delivery with clear financial and delivery targets based around 7 core services. The post holder will be responsible for managing research products and delivery of consultancy business across the regions, business analysis and some elements of business development. This post requires an ability to contribute to business planning and development, to work across teams and demonstrate commercial skills, market understanding, an ability to develop new products and a strong client understanding.
Core Markets
India (50%) Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal
The core services available for BC SIEM are: Educational Intelligence, consultancy, exhibitions, direct marketing, training, TNE and briefing.
Post Location
Post will largely be determined by the successful candidate’s current location.
Key Deliverables
Key Deliverables -the core responsibilities are to:
- Lead on SIEM South Asia research strategy, product development and implementation
- Produce and present high quality research to tight deadlines
- Lead on South Asia consultancy proposals and research TORs
- Project-manage regional consultancy business
- Identify and develop new business opportunities and partnerships
- Deliver to business targets
- Manage and develop strategicrelationships with customers/clients/partners/stakeholders, contributing to overall business development
- Plan and manage allocated budgets, income and expenditure
- Data collection and analysis, report writing and presentations
- Contribution and active participations in forums and publications to demonstrate thought leadership and knowledge of the sector
- Overall research and editorial support to BC –SIEM regional team
- Developing market and competitor analysis for the business
- Strong client management skills and close working partnership with UK account managers
- An ability to manage and sustain relationships with the regional BC SIEM team for impact
- Ensuring strong internal client management
- Positive feedback from internal and external clients on delivery
External
Ministries of Higher Education, regional education organisations and relevant NGOs
Major public and private sector HEI’s in the UK and in the region (universities, colleges, schools).
Major education institutions (Further education and Boarding Schools) and organisations in the UK with an interest in the region.
Potential corporate sponsors, foundations and government-funded sponsors.
Internal
UK account managers, Regional BC SIEM and global International Education team team, Regional Director, Regional Programmes Director and Country Directors
Other important features or requirements of the job
The post holder will need to be flexible in terms of weekend and evening work. In addition the post holder will need to travel within the region and occasionally to the UK.
Please specify any passport/visa and/or nationality requirement. / Legal right to work in India
Please indicate if any security or legal checks are required
for this role. / Reference and Background Verification Checks as per British Council India HR policy
Person Specification
Essential / Desirable / Assessment stageBehaviours / Shaping the future(Most demanding)
Changing the nature of what we do and the benefits we gain by thinking and planning with creativity
Connecting with others (Most demanding)
Building trust and understanding with people who have very different views
Being Accountable (More demanding)
Putting the needs of the team or British Council ahead of my own
Creating Shared Purpose (More demanding)
Creating energy and clarity so that people want to work purposefully together / Interview
Making it Happen (More demanding)
Challenging myself and others to deliver and measure better result
Working together (More demanding)
Ensuring others benefit as well as me / Thesebehaviours will be needed to be successfully carried out for the role, but will not be assessed for recruitment purposes
Skills and Knowledge /
- Five years’ experience in commercial research development and/or relevant post-graduate qualification
- Demonstrated ability in producing client proposals and research TORs
- Proven track record in delivering to business targets
- Advanced Excel, SPSS, survey development software
- Proficiency in web and data visualisations
- Project management
- Partnership management and relationship building
- Native speakers of English
- Formal presentation of recent research project
Presentation at interview
Experience / Sector expertise
Professional sector expertise in Education or business development or business analysis. Proven experience and credibility gained both in the UK and/or overseas.
Five years’ experience in quantitative and qualitative research with clear business/commercial outcomes
Professional knowledge, skills and experience in proposal submissions, research TORs, analysis and report writing
Experience managing large-scale research projects and delivering to specific requirements and deadlines
Strategic sectoral advice
Experience of providing advice and consultancy in education or business analysis or development.
Experience of multiple country/regional working. / Short listing and interview
Qualification/ Education/ Training /
- Degree in Economics or Statistics or a Social Sciences-related field
Submitted by / Director, SIEM, South Asia / Date / 12 June 2014