Product Manager

Role Type: Advisory, Policy and Expertise Pay Band: Grade 7 / F Location: India Contract Type: Indefinite Contract Closing Date: 23rd August at 11:59 pm IST time/ 7:29 PM UK time Role Purpose We are looking for an experienced **Product Manager** to play a critical role in designing, implementing and maintaining innovative and effective HR technology solutions across the British Council. Working within the People Experience and Insight pillar, you will act as a key link between the People function, Digital & Technology teams and our managed service partners and external suppliers. You will translate business requirements into practical system solutions, drive continuous optimisation and ensure our HR technology landscape supports effective, consistent and user-friendly ways of working. You will: * Translate business requirements into system configurations, workflows and technical specifications. * Drive optimisation by identifying inefficiencies in People processes and implementing practical technology-enabled improvements. * Ensure HR systems provide a consistent and user-friendly experience through testing, feedback and continuous improvement. * Support HR transformation initiatives by implementing system changes aligned with organisational restructuring and process updates. * Ensure system configurations meet data security, privacy and local legal requirements. * Work closely with vendors and internal stakeholders to deliver timely fixes, enhancements and integrations. * Support the effective use of HR technology and AI initiatives across the People function. * Act as a technical system consultant, advising the business on system capabilities and future requirements. * Support standardised global ways of working through consistent system usage and configurations. * Contribute to the ongoing performance, development and delivery of the British Council’s HR technology landscape. About the Role This role sits within the People Experience and Insight pillar, which is responsible for the British Council’s HRIS technology landscape and for working closely with our outsourced service partner to embed transformational ways of working through technology. You will work across a complex, global and matrixed organisation, collaborating with People function teams, Digital & Technology, People Insight, external suppliers and our managed service partner. The role will focus particularly on supporting the continued development and optimisation of systems including SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central and Eightfold, as well as their integration with the wider HR technology landscape. You will be involved in business projects and transformation initiatives, ensuring that changes to HR processes, organisational structures and ways of working are effectively translated into system functionality. Main Opportunities and Responsibilities Service Delivery * Work closely with People function teams to embed AI initiatives and maximise the effective use of HR technology. * Partner with the People Insight team to maintain high-quality system data and identify process or training gaps. * Work with vendors and Digital & Technology teams to investigate and resolve complex issues involving multiple technology and infrastructure components. * Work with the managed service partner to conduct system audits, ensuring appropriate security, data protection and compliance with local legal requirements. * Work directly with the outsourced partner to assign, track and deliver system changes and resolve system issues. * Support technology-driven process improvements across the People function. * Ensure alignment between HR operations and system capabilities through continuous engagement with business teams. * Drive consistent system usage and configurations to support standardised ways of working. * Gather and document detailed business requirements and translate them into technical specifications for development teams. * Support day-to-day HRIS system performance and delivery within the People Experience and Insight pillar. * Act as a technical system consultant for current and future business requirements, ensuring organisational and process changes are aligned with system functionality. Analysis and Problem-Solving * Apply technical knowledge of SuccessFactors and Eightfold to investigate complex business issues and identify effective solutions. * Provide advice and support to People Policy and Process teams as they develop and enhance HR process architecture. * Work with the managed service partner to deliver and project manage small-scale functional enhancements and change initiatives. * Analyse business requirements and system capabilities to identify opportunities for improved efficiency, consistency and user experience. Relationship and Stakeholder Management * Build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues across the British Council, the managed service partner and external suppliers. * Collaborate with internal and external cross-functional teams to integrate HRIS with other business systems. * Communicate technical requirements and solutions clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. * Influence stakeholders and partners to adopt effective, standardised and technology-enabled ways of working. About You We are looking for an experienced HR technology professional who can combine strong technical knowledge with a practical understanding of HR processes and business requirements. You will have significant experience managing HR systems within a large and complex organisation, ideally with experience of working in a global or matrix environment. You will bring strong hands-on experience of SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central, together with experience of other SuccessFactors modules and HR technology solutions. You will be confident translating business needs into system requirements, investigating complex problems and working with internal teams, vendors and managed service partners to deliver effective solutions. You will also have the communication and influencing skills required to work effectively with stakeholders across a diverse organisation. Essential Requirements * Significant experience managing HR systems within a large and complex organisation with matrix structures. * At least 3–4 years’ experience working with SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central and other modules as a System Consultant or Implementation Specialist. * Experience standardising and implementing global HR processes within SuccessFactors. * Demonstrable experience providing expert advice and guidance to stakeholders and contributing effectively to internal and external communications and meetings. * Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to investigate complex HR technology issues and identify practical solutions. * Experience working with technology vendors, managed service providers and cross-functional teams. * Ability to translate business requirements into clear technical specifications and system solutions. Desirable Requirements * SAP SuccessFactors certification in Employee Central and/or more than one Talent module. * Experience working within a global organisation. Core Skills and Capabilities You will demonstrate: * Communicating and Influencing – Level 3: Uses formal and informal influencing, negotiating and motivation techniques to achieve effective outcomes while respecting different views and cultures. * Managing Projects – Level 3: Supports projects from requirements definition through planning, implementation and evaluation, managing change and coordinating diverse stakeholders. * Planning and Organising – Level 2: Supports the implementation of plans while balancing business and customer requirements and competing priorities. * Analysing Data and Problems – Level 2: Examines a range of information to identify patterns, trends and options and solve complex problems. You will also bring developing or foundational capability in data literacy, business acumen, customer understanding, digital agility and executional excellence, with a focus on using technology and data to deliver efficient, scalable and impactful HR solutions. Language Requirements The British Council’s systems and global processes operate in English. Written and verbal proficiency in English is required. Why Join Us? This is an opportunity to play a key role in the continued transformation of the British Council’s People function through technology. You will work across a global HR technology landscape, collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders and contribute to solutions that improve the experience, efficiency and effectiveness of HR services across the organisation. The British Council is committed to creating an open, inclusive and expert environment where colleagues can bring different perspectives, work collaboratively and make a meaningful impact. Our values are Open and Committed; Expert and Inclusive; Optimistic and Bold. These values guide how we work, make decisions and build relationships with colleagues, partners and the communities we serve. Additional Information Candidates are responsible for ensuring that they have the legal right to live and work in the country where the role is based. Please check the visa and right-to-work requirements applicable to your location before applying. Initial and continuing employment with the British Council is subject to an annual background check. This role is subject to Standard Screening. The British Council is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from candidates with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.