APPOINTMENT BRIEF APRIL 2018 HEAD OF BRITISH COUNCIL SCHOOLS, CHINA British Council Schools
CONTENTS Welcome letter 03 About us 04 About the schools 06-07 Role description 08-09 Role requirements 10-11 How to apply 12-13
WELCOME LETTER DEAR CANDIDATE The British Council runs a highly successful school in Madrid, offering students a high quality bilingual and bicultural education and delivering excellent academic results. The British Council Schools Programme seeks to replicate this success by opening dual curriculum schools in identified markets such as China. Our vision is to create a network of successful international schools popular with students, parents and the community in which they operate. The initial phase of the Programme, comprising identification of target markets, detailed market research, and feasibility studies has successfully completed. We are now seeking an outstanding professional to help deliver our vision of opening new schools in target locations in China. Mark Logan Director, British Council Schools 3
4
ABOUT US The British Council is the UK s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We create friendly knowledge and understanding between the people of the UK and other countries. We make a lasting difference to the security of the UK by fostering engagement and debate across cultures in strategically important countries. We contribute to the UK s prosperity by building trust to create favourable conditions for trade, investment and tourism. Our work also supports the UK s international influence by increasing connections and networks with decision makers globally, including the number of people who know and trust the UK. Through our work in arts and culture, education, English language, sport, science and civil society we make a positive contribution to the people, institutions and governments of the countries we work with. This changes lives by creating opportunities, building connections and engendering trust. In turn these relationships enrich UK culture and society. We work with over 100 countries worldwide. Each year we reach over 20 million people face-to-face and more than 500 million people online, via broadcasts and publications. 5
ABOUT THE SCHOOLS BUILDING ON THE SUCCESS OF OUR MADRID SCHOOL Founded in 1940, the British Council School Madrid is the only school of its type in Spain. It provides not only an educational background but also a life experience for children aged 3-18. Our students leave the school with excellent academic knowledge and strong social values, and many students succeed in gaining a place at the best universities in the UK, US and beyond. The school puts students at the heart of everything it does and aims to help all students achieve their full potential. More than 10,000 students have passed through the school, and many of them have achieved significant professional recognition. ASPIRATIONS FOR OUR SCHOOLS Our Schools will provide more than just an academic education students will be encouraged to develop their passions through a wide range of enrichment activities. This holistic approach increases motivation and has a strong impact on academic success. We put our students happiness first we understand that in order to succeed academically and creatively, our students need to feel secure and happy. All students are valued as individuals and have a safe place from which to flourish. Excellent grades alone are no longer enough to gain access to the best universities. Students need talent, passion, motivation and creativity to differentiate themselves. Our bilingual and bicultural approach helps to ensure that our students are welcome at the world s best universities. Students moral and social development is important to us. We want our students to have the personal qualities needed for success so they become well-rounded young people able to make a contribution to modern society. We are part of the British Council, the official organisation of the UK that promotes education, English language and cultural relations worldwide. This allows our schools to be part of an international network of other educational and corporate institutions around the world, and gives them excellent opportunities to participate in cultural activities on a global scale. Our schools will promote both the local culture and English culture and produce resilient, global citizens, aware of their responsibilities and confident in their ability to succeed. Our teaching model is based on the Chinese curriculum, which guarantees a unique standard of education and consistency in teaching methods. We bring out the best in all our students by focussing on their individual needs and developing their specialist skills. Our schools will employ experienced international teachers who enjoy working collaboratively in a bilingual and bicultural environment. Our teachers will have a deep understanding of the subjects they teach and know how to motivate and understand students. Classes will be small, interactive and stimulating, ensuring students are afforded the individual attention they require to achieve their academic goals. Our aim is to create a positive, mutual, bond between school and student that lasts a lifetime. 6 6
THE GLOBAL INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS MARKET As the number of families seeking to invest in a private education increases around the globe, the demand for international schools continues to grow strongly. This is driven by the continued rise of English as one of the preferred languages of tuition, a desire for a more international education, and a desire for globally recognised qualifications. Whereas once international schools were mainly for expat students, many local parents now want their child to experience an Englishspeaking education to enhance their prospects by strengthening their route to university and a globalised workforce. WHY CHINA? The international schools market has seen significant growth in China in recent years, particularly in bilingual schools for host nationals, driven by a desire to access international education and universities. It is a rapidly growing market, and forecasts indicate it will continue to grow. OUR STRATEGY We are looking to work with local Chinese partners whose intentions and objectives align with ours. China is a large country with growing demand for international schools and we will concentrate on working in areas where we can deliver most benefit. 7
ROLE DESCRIPTION ROLE Head of British Council Schools, China REPORTING TO Director, British Council Schools PACKAGE SMB Purpose of the role The post holder is responsible to Director British Council Schools for developing projects which lead to new dual curriculum schools in China. Main opportunities/challenges for this role High level of autonomy/remote working reporting to a line manager in a different time zone High value deals/long-lead time deals LOCATION Beijing or Shanghai, in one of the British Council s commercial entities in China DURATION Full Time, 3 year contract, renewable 8 British Council March April 2018 8
Main accountabilities Project development leading to the opening of new schools in target locations in China Pipeline development identifying and progressing new opportunities Partner development identifying and progressing relations with suitable partners, including financial/investment partners and education partners Stakeholder relations including with local (Chinese) provincial governments and the extended HMG network (Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Department for International Trade etc.) Business case modelling market analysis of opportunities, evaluation to check viability Regularly liaising with the BC Schools and incountry teams to ensure they are kept up to date with progress Key relationships Internal Schools Director Country Director British Council Schools Team East Asia Region Director English & Exams Regional Director External Investment partners Education partners Provincial (Chinese) governments HMG network (Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Department for International Trade etc.) 9
ROLE REQUIREMENTS ASSESSMENT STAGE KEY S - Shortlisting I - Interview Threshold requirements Ability to live and work in China Person specification Essential Qualifications Relevant qualification in business management, education - S Role specific Essential Knowledge & Experience - S/I Extensive experience of leading development activities internationally, ideally in the education sector Strong track record in a senior management position within an international organization, ideally in the education sector Demonstration of successful track record in, and understanding of, the education sector Strong track record in stakeholder relationship management at board level. To include experience of deal completion Demonstration of experience in managing external partners Strong commercial acumen Desirable Knowledge & Experience - S/I Network of relevant contacts within the K12 education sector Knowledge of architecture, design and building project management, preferably in K12 school sector Extensive experience in assessment of new project viability Management of key suppliers for school design and build Recent knowledge of new school build Experience of reconfiguration of existing schools Project management of large school building and refurbishment programmes Knowledge of UK education system and how school design works Capacity management and resource utilization in schools Working as a co-ordinator, using third party and internal resources International experience outside the UK Essential Skills - S/I Ability to manage a project across a wide range of internal and external groups Excellent interpersonal skills Organisational skills, an ability to pay attention to detail without compromising the big picture Ability to summarize complex issues Leadership of major projects Desirable Skills - S/I High level reporting skills Numeracy Ability to communicate in Chinese (Mandarin) and English 10 10
British Council core skills - S/I Developing Business (level 5): shapes business and market development Communicating and Influencing (level 5): influences at the highest level Managing accounts and partnerships (level 5): shapes strategic relationships Planning and Organising (level 4): plans for the longer term Managing projects (level 4): leads larger projects Managing finance and resources (level 4): plans and deploys resources Analysing Data and Problems (level 4): solves complex problems British Council behaviours - S/I Making it Happen (Most demanding): achieving stretching results when faced by change, uncertainty or major obstacles Connecting with others (most demanding): building trust and understanding with people who have very different views Shaping the Future (most demanding): Changing the nature of what we do and the benefits we gain by thinking and planning with creativity Being Accountable (most demanding): showing dedication to the long-term mission of the British Council and the team 11
HOW TO APPLY Recruitment Timetable Application Link https://bit.ly/2gguho4 Closing date 22 April 2018 Enquiries about the post can be sent to the East Asia Regional Recruitment team (audrey.bevan@britishcouncil.org) based in Singapore. 12
13
Created by Prospectus www.prospect-us.co.uk www.britishcouncil.org