Business Operations Manager

A worthwhile cause; an international organisation; a friendly and inclusive place to work; your voice matters; and support for your development; Bring out the best in you and your employees by being part of our dynamic team! We are looking for someone with team leadership experience of back office (Finance, Procurement, Security etc.) who can apply existing protocols and who can improve efficiency and effectiveness of two country operations, Lebanon and Syria. 

Role Purpose

To oversee the management of the business operation unit for Syria and Lebanon directorates including finance, procurement, premises management, health and safety and security. The role will ensure that British Council corporate standards and relevant polices/ procedures are met.

To ensure that the business operations team is efficiently and effectively deployed to support operations in achieving business objectives and ensuring compliance across the business operations areas.

The role will ensure that team performance adds value to the delivery of objectives and to ensure that all risks, particularly financial compliance and business continuity are identified, monitored, managed and controlled.

To support new initiatives and organisational change by providing appropriate advice, support, training and leadership to all operational teams.

To be a key  and pro-active member of the Country Leadership  Team.

About us

The British Council is the United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. Founded in 1934, we are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body. We work to change lives by creating opportunities for people to learn and develop. We work with over 100 countries across the world in the fields of arts and culture, English language, education and civil society. Each year we reach over 20 million people face-to-face and more than 500 million people online, via broadcasts and publications.

Geopolitical/SBU/Function overview

The British Council has been in Lebanon since 1946.  We are building on the British Council’s respected and trusted brand by expanding existing programmes and exams service, developing new opportunities with key stakeholders across the public, private and NGO sectors in our Arts, Education, Engish and Society portfolios.  We employ 50 staff, including 10 colleagues from the regional and Syria teams who are located in the Beirut office. 

Main opportunities/challenges for this role

• The Lebanon Operation hass undergone a significant restructure in programmes and business operations to position it more effectively to support the rapidly changing needs of the British Council. With this, a vital part of this role is ensuring the new structure and processes are successfully embedded.
• The business management role will require adaptability and durability to change, and will often have to support senior leaders in driving change.

Main Accountabilities

Information governance

• Monitor relationship with governmental entities
• Oversee information management process in line with British Council policies
• Advise on the establishment of the filing system, and oversee its implementation by the Business Operations Officer in line with British Council policy
• Ensure Lebanon and Syria operations are compliant with all the new regulations related to information management e.g. GDPR 

Security

• Oversee security and manage security stakeholder relationships with local authorities.
• Review security contingency plans, such as lockdown procedures
• Monitor incident reporting is appropriate and clear to all staff
• Manage H&S policy ensuring it is applied in line with British Council requirements
• Work closely with the Syria team to identify risks associated with the whole operation (including programmes) and set up mitigation plans
• Owner of Syria Security Management Plan
• Develop and implement the business continuity plan

Finance and procurement related activities

•  Manage and monitor effectively and efficiently the Business Operations budgets
• Ensure finance policies are implemented in line with Financial Transparency Project
• Ensure compliance with Market Place policies
• Ensure FCCF compliance and quarterly report any discrepancies
• Monitor a yearly procurement plan and advise on improving the procurement in country
• Build relationship with finance and market place teams in the region

Compliance

• Promote and support EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) in Lebanon in coordination with the EDI focal point
• Work closely with child protection focal point to ensure the country child protection action plan is in place and take ownership of some of its actions related to health and safety issues
• Oversee programmes operations and ensure that delivery is compliant with all policies and procedures
• Ensure compliance with audit requirements related to premises including office insurance, health and safety, security and information governance.
• Ensure compliance with local tax and legal status activities supported by Regional and Global Finance teams
• Ensure compliance with all operational but non-HR policies

Line management

• Manage operations and facilities staff.
• Ensure business operation staff performance and accountabilities are in line with British council values and behaviours
• Identify learning and development opportunities for the business operations staff

Key Relationships

Internal

• Deputy director and Country Director
• All Lebanon directorate staff
• Regional HR and Finance leads; Global teams
• SBU leads in country
• Other Business Operations Managers across MENA

External

• Local government departments, local authorities, embassies
• Lawyer , banks and auditors
• Vendors, external partners, suppliers, regulatory and professional bodies/associations.

Role Requirements - Assessment Stage: Shortlisting

Together, we can achieve more. If you have experience in a similar role. Proven track record in business management and or general office management, work with us and we will support you to try new ideas, and develop your skills, knowledge and career.

Passport requirements/ Right to work in country: Yes

Direct contact or managing staff working with children? No

Language requirements

Fluent reading and writing in English (Minimum)

Qualifications

First degree In Business Management OR equivalaent relevant experience (Essential)

Role Specific Knowledge & Experience

At least 3 years’ experience in a similar role. Proven track record in business management and or general office management (Essential)

Role Specific Skills - Assessment Stage: Shortlisting and Interview

• Experience in managing and leading teams in an international context working in a multi-cultural organisation.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines
• Track record of building effective relationships with business leadership teams in the delivery of high quality and effective professional services
• Experience of developing and managing a range of complex internal and external stakeholder relationships
• Excellent commercial acumen and understanding of business strategy and practices
• Working in both public, not for profit and private sector organisations
• Experience of working in a matrix management structure

British Council Core Skills - Assessment Stage: Shortlisting and Interview

Communicating and Influencing (Level 3)

Able to use a range of non-standard and creative approaches to inform, and persuade others, extending beyond logical argument to influence decisions and actions in a way which is inclusive and engaging.

Planning  and Organising (Level 3)

Develops and reviews the implementation of annual plans for a work group or function, taking account of business and customer requirements and reconciling competing demands.

Managing People (Level 3)

Provides full line management to a team where all members are working in a similar area of expertise or business. Scope includes planning, setting objectives, role modeling an inclusive culture, recruitment, development and performance management.

Managing Risk (Level 3)

Has track record of analysing potential risks, promoting risk awareness, and holding others to account for their practices.

British Council Behaviours - Assessment Stage: Interview

Creating shared purpose   (more demanding)

Communicating an engaging picture of how we can work together

Being accountable (more demanding)

Putting the needs of the team or British Council ahead of my own

Working together   (more demanding)

Ensuring that others benefit as well as me

Connecting with others   (more demanding)

Actively appreciating the needs and concerns of myself and others

Shaping the future   (essential)

Looking for ways in which we can do things better

Making it happen (essential)

Challenging myself and others to deliver and measure better results

Our work makes a lasting difference by building more inclusive societies and supporting people’s prospects.
Together, we can do more.