Head of Product (Data) (47175) bei British Council

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.

British Council Pay Band SMP

Department: Business Operations

Location: UK and India

Kindly note that this role is open in Noida (India) and in the UK locations — Belfast, Cardiff, London, and Edinburgh. Candidates with existing home-working contracts in Manchester are also eligible to apply.

Contract: Indefinite Contract (Permanent role)

Apply by: Sunday, 02nd Nov 2025 23:59 UK time

Interview window: To be discussed later

This role is open to applicants who already have the legal right to work in India and the UK at the time of application. Relocation and visa sponsorship are not available. The British Council supports flexible working, including hybrid arrangements, subject to line manager approval and operational requirements.

Role Context

The Head of Product (Data) will lead the British Council’s portfolio of data-driven products within the data function, part of the COO portfolio alongside Digital & Technology (D&T). This role provides strategic leadership and delivery oversight for key products that enable commercial and strategic decision-making across English & Exams and the wider organisation.

The postholder will lead the cross-disciplinary product squad building the ‘British Council Performance App’ (a unified enterprise reporting and analytics app, currently in MVP form). The data product portfolio also spans enterprise AI applications, tools that support strategic planning, and foundational data products such as data models and APIs. The role will coach and develop data specialists acting as data product owners, championing user-centric working and Agile methodology. The post holder will collaborate closely with data specialists, D&T colleagues, and senior stakeholders to ensure products deliver maximum commercial and organisational value.

As part of the British Council, which fosters peace and prosperity by building connections and trust through arts, culture, education, and the English language, this role sits within the COO portfolio and partners with D&T to deliver a modern, data-driven infrastructure. The Head of Product (Data) acts as the senior representative for data product management, influencing strategic decisions, aligning stakeholders, and ensuring resources are prioritised to achieve global impact and value.

Main responsibilities

The Head of Product (Data) will define and drive the vision and strategy for the British Council’s data product portfolio, ensuring alignment with English & Exams’ commercial objectives and the organisation’s wider strategic priorities. They will oversee the end-to-end lifecycle of multiple data products — from discovery and development through to delivery, support, and continuous improvement — while maintaining a high-level roadmap that supports both current business needs and future growth. The role is accountable for ensuring that all data products maximise business value, enhance decision-making, and improve operational efficiency.

This position provides visible leadership across the data product management function, fostering best practices, coaching product managers, and building a strong community of practice. The role involves close collaboration with business owners, analytics service owners, and D&T teams to ensure seamless, integrated product delivery that meets technical standards and organisational goals. The Head of Product (Data) will also influence senior stakeholders, secure buy-in for key product and investment decisions, and represent the British Council’s data-driven product strategy both internally and externally.

Role-Specific Skills

• Agile and Lean Practices (Expert): Coaches and leads teams in Agile and Lean methods, tailoring approaches to context, iterating continuously, and promoting innovation to enhance delivery.
• Applying User-Centred Insights (Expert): Champions user research and evidence-based decisions to ensure data products meet user needs and guide strategic direction.
• Creating Value for Money (Practitioner): Balances user needs, organisational priorities, and costs; makes data-driven decisions and builds strong business cases to support commercial outcomes.
• Life Cycle Management (Expert): Leads and coaches teams through all product lifecycle stages, managing risks and driving continuous improvement.
• Managing Product Outcomes (Practitioner): Establishes performance measures, uses data for continuous improvement, and helps teams prioritise high-impact activities.
• Product Leadership (Practitioner): Represents product management to senior stakeholders, promotes reuse of best practices, and develops the internal product community.
• Product Management (Expert): Defines strategy and vision, maintains prioritised roadmaps, supports scaled delivery, and mentors others in best practices.
• Stakeholder Relationship Management (Expert): Develops stakeholder management strategy; negotiates and influences senior leaders to align priorities and drive progress on strategic goals.

Role specific knowledge and experience

Minimum/essential

• Proven experience managing data-focused product portfolios in a complex organisation, ideally in the education, assessment, or commercial sectors.
• Significant experience working with data professionals, including data engineers, analysts, and data scientists.
• Track record of delivering products that drive commercial and strategic outcomes.
• Strong leadership skills, including line management and coaching of product managers.
• Ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders and translate strategic goals into actionable product roadmaps.
• Deep understanding of Agile and Lean product management practices

Desirable

• Experience with enterprise-level data platforms, APIs, and AI applications.
• Experience of leading data product teams in a commercially focused organisation

Education and Professional Qualification

• Degree, preferably in a relevant field such as data science, computer science, information systems, business, or a related discipline, e.g. a STEM subject or a finance-related subject.
• Equivalent professional experience will be considered where a degree is not held

Language Requirements

• The British Council systems and global processes operate in English. Written and verbal proficiency in English is required.

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]