Network Delivery Manager

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For over 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity. We work with people in over 150 countries and reach over 700 million people. We connect. We inspire. Role purpose The purpose of this role is to execute and assure end‑to‑end Exams operational delivery at a country/location level from candidate handover through test‑day to post‑test services. The role owns country or location venue strategy and sourcing/contracting, and manages the onboarding, support and performance monitoring of delivery partners (venues, partner testing points, sub‑centres and similar suppliers). Ensures delivery readiness, test-day compliance and acts as the focal point for delivery escalations. Working closely with Planning & Registration and Workforce Resourcing teams, it aligns plans, capacity and readiness to protect customer commitments, optimise cost‑to‑serve and deliver a consistent, high‑quality candidate experience and manages local third-party delivery from local identification to performance and compliance monitoring. Main Accountabilities The role is responsible for ensuring the end-to-end delivery of Exams operations, covering pre-test readiness, test-day execution, and post-test activities in line with global procedures and awarding-body requirements. This includes overseeing venue sourcing, contracting, compliance, utilisation, and quality standards, as well as managing the full lifecycle of third-party delivery partners through onboarding, performance management, SLAs, and regular reviews. The role also ensures secure handling of exam materials through compliant CMR processes, manages test-day operations and post-test workflows, coordinates closely with Planning & Registration and Workforce Resourcing teams, and leads recovery plans for operational disruptions. A key focus is delivering a high-quality customer experience by acting as the escalation point for complex delivery issues, ensuring timely resolution, and driving continuous improvement in candidate and client satisfaction. The role builds strong relationships with delivery partners and internal stakeholders, contributes operational insight to planning and readiness forums, and aligns delivery capacity, costs, and priorities across Operations, Network, and Customer Management teams. The position is accountable for maintaining compliance with safeguarding, exam security, health and safety, and data privacy requirements while ensuring audit readiness, risk management, and business continuity planning. It also oversees delivery budgets, contracts, supplier performance, and operational performance reporting to support informed decision-making. In addition, the role provides leadership and people management for delivery teams, driving performance, capability development, succession planning, continuous improvement, and a culture of safety, security, and customer focus. Qualifications & Skills Essential * Experience working in managing Exams, Teaching or other regulated service environments * Proven track record of leading teams * Knowledge of safeguarding, HR compliance and customer-facing delivery frameworks * Experience driving performance improvement and embedding continuous improvement culture. * Financial accountability and cost optimization * Good understanding of regulatory and compliance requirements in education and assessment services. * Degree or equivalent experience. Desirable * Implementing and assuring safeguarding policies and processes in educational settings for children. * Developing and managing partnerships with educational institutions to assure compliance and performance. * Experience with Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) processes. * Lean Six Sigma qualification. Important Information * Job grade: 6/G * Job Location: Nigeria * Closing date:3 November 2026 This role is only open for candidates who have the legal right to live and work in the job location 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 we 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 and 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 askhr@britishcouncil.org