Business Operations Manager

As a valued employee of the British Council, you already help us deliver our mission to 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. You are part of our organisation in over 200 countries and territories and where we are on the ground in more than 100 countries. We connect. We inspire. Further Information * Number of positions: 1 * British Council Pay Band 7 * Employment Type: Indefinite Contract Local * Location: Alegria * Deadline to receive applications: 9th August 2026 * Candidates are expected to have the right to live and work in Alegria * Salary: DZD 195,000 Monthly gross salary Role Purpose: The Business Operations Manager will oversee the management of the business administration, local financial processes, estates, local administrative and human resources activities, as well as IT and security functions in Algeria. The role will ensure that British Council corporate standards and relevant polices/ procedures are met, and ensure that the business support team are efficiently and effectively deployed to support operations in achieving business objectives and ensuring compliance across Business Operations and all Algeria Departments. 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, across Departments. To be a key, and pro-active member of the Country Leadership Team (CLT) Main Accountabilities: Management * Oversee and manage the entire Business Operations (BO) team. * Manage and monitor overhead budgets: this includes providing advice and decision support to the Country Director, explaining variances and making recommendations for adjustments/re-forecasting; also provide information for Exams and Teaching Centre business plans, forecasts and commentaries as necessary; * Regularly update cashflow projections according to rolling corporate schedule to support expected spend on business support services. * Promote and support our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) policy in Algeria in coordination with the office EDI coordinator * Actively seek efficiency savings to improve KPls; ensure value for money through supplier negotiations; understand and extract data from the financial and business system (SAP) to analyse trends and recommend changes to enhance performance. * Conduct general induction for new joiners (incl. non-BOT staff). * Manage and update key local policies (e.g., office policies, mobile phone, etc.). * Monitor local Delegated Authorities. Relationship Management, Suppliers, and Services * Manage contracts and services of outsourced providers for premises maintenance, accounting and payroll preparation, office cleaning, IT, transportation and premises security. * Manage vendor relationships to ensure quality and cost effective provision of services such as transport/travel, hotel, catering and hospitality, courier/post, real estate and landlord(s). All services are supported by strong compliance and control regime around contracts and purchase order processes. * Manage relationships with government, local law enforcement and embassies, as relevant, on regulatory compliance and security-related issues and ensure that country leadership team is properly briefed. * Oversee office wide procurement and contracts management in close coordination with from British Council's procurement unit, 'MarketPlace' * Manage event planning and execution/logistics. * Arrange travel for visitors and regional teams. Risk Management * Co-ordinate crisis management planning, ensuring that contact lists and records are kept up to date and acting as a key member of the incident control team, if convened * Lead on development and testing of Business Continuity Plan (BCP); ensuring that plan is maintained and supports any off-site working arrangements that may become necessary. * Lead on management of top risks, scheduling quarterly and annual meetings to help fellow senior managers identify and develop mitigation plans for key risks to the business; draft templates for management discussion and Director's 'sign-off' as necessary. * Ensure that all children and vulnerable adults who we come into contact with through our work are properly respected and protected in full compliance with our global safeguarding and child protection policies; plans are in place to assure this. * Risk assessments for selected activity and our premises (incl partner premises where relevant) are conducted to inform planning and action and ensure safe and secure working environment. * Adequate insurance cover is in place linked to our global policy and supplemented locally as necessary. * Liaise with tax, accounting and legal advisors as necessary - locally and within British Council (region and HQ) - to ensure that status and tax affairs are properly managed and that we are compliant with local law. * Ensure that information governance and risk management (IGRM) policies are being followed and that our systems and practice are compliant particularly around use of personal data and serve as first point of contact with regional IGRM advisor. * Oversees stock checks (e.g. stationery, cleaning supplies, IELTS materials) by set deadlines to ensure appropriate controls meet separation of duty requirements * Support internal audit processes. * Act as the fraud focal point. Facilities and Estates Management * Oversee office management including e.g. leases and renewals, moves and renovations, relationship with landlord * Monitor building and ground maintenance of all British Council rented properties and ensure office storage facilities are secure in compliance with British Council requirements and local legislation. * Implement yearly preventive building and ground maintenance schedules, ensuring timely action and reporting. * Ensure office services and supplier contracts (e.g. cleaning, IT, security) are delivered effectively in line with corporate standards. * British Council assets are properly accounted for and looked after, with inventories prepared and kept up-to-date; this includes any British Council assets in partner premises or rented properties (in the case of UK-appointed/international staff). * Travel policy and procedures including use of public transport/taxis are fit-for-purpose i.e. safe and efficient; and communicated to and adhered to by staff. Security * Lead on the development of a security compliance regime for British Council Algeria operations, ensuring that security contingency plans are in place and evacuation or lockdown procedures are understood by staff and customers. * Manage security stakeholder relationships with outsourced security company, local authorities, British Embassy, Regional Security Director * Ensure that all security equipment and lifeline devices are accounted for and in good working order. * Ensure all incidents are investigated and reported appropriately. * Ensure that training and awareness-raising for staff and/or contractors is organized and provided as appropriate. * Oversee and develop security team if needed (currently outsourced) * Manage staff access control to premises. * Assess security measures in new offices/venues and partner schools. * Manage staff access/removal from Telephone Tree, SOLACE, Teams channels, and mailing lists. * Oversee public liability insurance management. On-site Finance Related Activities * Oversee cash-handling and banking procedures; ensure cash policy is compliant with global British Council policies * Oversee petty cash policy and conduct petty cash spot checks * Check cash receipts from Customer Services with journals posted as required. * Manage relationship with bank, ensuring that adequate signatories are in place for cheque authorisation and/or approval of electronic transactions. * Oversee the BO team’s processing of off-system payments and urgent advances. * Safeguard and manage cheque books handover. Procurement & Contract Management * Handle high-value procurement and tendering. * Manage key operations contracts. * Conduct due diligence and vendor screening. * Monitor and update Preferred Suppliers List and aggregate spend across departments. * Oversee finance payables and receivables, including off-system transactions. * Support FCCF. * Monitor PO GR IR. HR Operations & Mobility * Supervise implementation of all HR Operations tasks that require to be performed locally, including admin support (relationship with Labour Inspectorate, employee files, preparation of documents, CNAS forms, payroll signatory coordination, medical insurance, etc.) * Coordinate work permit and residency submissions for foreign employees. * Assist with rent hunting, utilities setup, Wi-Fi, and lease management for foreign employees. Health & Safety * Ensure safe and clean working environment for staff and customers in line with our health and safety standards, local law and audit recommendations. * Preventive maintenance schedule is developed and overseen. * Risk assessments are carried out and acted upon. * Training and awareness-raising for staff and/or contractors on safe working practices eg. first aid, fire safety, waste management etc. * Appropriate channels in place for staff to raise health and safety issues. * Ensure all incidents are investigated and reported appropriately. Role specific knowledge and experience: Minimum/essential * Experience in managing and leading a team in an international context/ a multi-cultural organization. * Strong organizational skills with the ability to priorities tasks and meet deadlines in a complex event driven organization * 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 * Demonstrates excellent management of administration roles * Excellent understanding of business strategy and practices Desirable * Experience in management change * Working in both public, not for profit and private sector organizations * Experience of working in a matrix management structure. Education Bachelor’s degree in business management or relevant field Language The British Council systems and global processes operate in English. Written and verbal proficiency in English is required” Working Arabic and/or French is highly desirable. Please note that all applications should be submitted in English only. It is advisable to apply in advance to avoid any technical issues at the last moment. 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 askhr@britishcouncil.org