Job Description

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 9

Department:

Finance

Location:

Noida, India

Contract:

Indefinite Contract Local

Apply by:

Sunday, 17th Aug 2025 23:59 IST

Interview window:

01st week of September
The starting salary for this role is INR 42,00,000 per annum; however, this is negotiable based on the candidate's skills and expertise. The role also includes additional benefits.

This role is open for applications from employees who are currently located and have the right to work in India the successful candidate will remain in their current location/entity
You must have the legal right to work in India at the time of application as there is no relocation or sponsorship support.
British Council supports working in new ways such as hybrid working, subject to full approval by line management and conditional upon our ability to provide the appropriate level of service. This may not be appropriate for all roles but can be explored at interview.

Role purpose

This is a leadership role accountable for the Record to Report (R2R) processes at the British Council. The Global Process Owner (GPO) ensures efficient, compliant, and fit-for-purpose processes across GL reconciliations, month-end close, local audits, and statutory reporting.
The GPO aligns global finance processes with the British Council's strategy and drives continuous improvement through technology and best practices. They champion compliance, monitor performance, and address non-compliance proactively.
Working cross-functionally, the GPO sets high standards for global processes and collaborates closely with Shared Services and the Managed Service Provider (MSP) to ensure accountability, resolve deviations, and enhance operations.
They play a key role in change management, ensuring that process changes are relevant, well-planned, and properly implemented, with senior stakeholder buy-in and adequate training in place.

Role Context

The British Council follows the 'three lines of defence' model. The GPO is part of the second line of defence providing the policies, frameworks, tools, techniques, and support to enable risk and compliance to be managed in the first line (staff and management) and monitoring the effectiveness of processes and controls. They play a key role in increasing awareness of the importance of global finance processes and embedding a culture of compliance.
There are currently 4 main process areas across British Council: Record to Report (RTR), Purchase to Pay (P2P) Order to Cash and Contracts (OTC) and Master Data. Jobholders at this level will lead a small team and be a subject matter expert for one of these key process areas.
The Global Process Owners own the global processes which apply across the British Council group's complex matrix structure, which includes Strategic Business Units, subsidiary entities, geographic locations, and corporate functions. The multiple reporting requirements of the different subsidiary entities, range of currencies and of donor-funded projects add to the complexity.
The role will bring together the teams, ensuring consistent standards of performance and accuracy across the business whilst maintaining strong and efficient interaction between their team and finance operations and the Managed Service Provider.
The British Council is implementing a finance transformation programme, and the GPO will play a key role in designing and implementing efficient processes and aligning global finance processes with the new Target Operating Model. The GPO will have to work effectively with the Managed Service Provider.
Managing diverse stakeholder relationships and keeping abreast of wider corporate developments and new initiatives is key to the success of the role.
Key relationships include:
Regional Finance Controllers Treasury Business Operations Other Global Process owners Managed Service Provider Controllers and Compliance Managers Financial Governance and Policy Financial Reporting GIS SAP Team and other GIS managers

Other essential aspects:

Operates in a highly matrixed and complex global environment Requires proactive communication, adaptability, and influencing skills Must maintain a forward-looking approach to process improvement and technology adoption

Main responsibilities

Leadership and People Management

Provide strategic leadership and effective people management, role-modelling British Council values and a strong commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI). Promote high standards of professionalism, customer-centric working, and a culture of continuous learning and improvement across the team and wider organisation.

Process Governance, Standardisation & Performance

Design and implement efficient, well-controlled financial processes to enable timely and accurate reporting. Resolve segregation of duty risks, define and monitor KPIs, and continuously identify opportunities for improvement. Establish and communicate policies and minimum control standards. Define master data standards and ensure clear governance. Own and maintain comprehensive process documentation (process maps, SOPs, training material), and ensure stakeholders are trained and compliant. Define and manage SLAs and KPIs for outsourced/shared services, monitor performance, and address any underperformance. Develop reports and monitoring systems to track compliance, address non-compliance, and ensure properly governed process changes. Review and sign off process change requests, tracking the realised benefits of any system or process improvements.

Strategy and Planning

Align finance processes with the corporate strategy and business objectives, delivering clear, timely management information. Monitor cross-functional changes that may impact processes and ensure proactive assessment and adaptation to maintain control and relevance.

Stakeholder & Relationship Management

Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders (global and regional) and external service providers. Champion global R2R processes, communicate their value, and ensure understanding and compliance across all levels of the organisation.

Finance Subject Expertise

Serve as a subject matter expert in R2R, advising on IFRS, local GAAP, and global finance processes. Stay current with industry best practices and technological advancements, evaluating applicability to British Council operations.

Service Improvement & Technology Enablement

Lead continuous improvement initiatives, focusing on standardisation, automation, and adoption of best practices. Drive improvement projects--prepare business cases, secure resources, and oversee successful implementation and embedding of changes. Collaborate with the Transformation team to migrate activities to a Shared Services Centre (SSC) and support global finance transformation efforts. Partner with Corporate Treasury to assess centralised banking solutions and implement a Treasury Management System where appropriate.

Role specific skills

Strong Financial Reporting, Accounting, Closing and Compliance skills. Well-developed process design skills. Strong communication and influencing skills, able to relay complex financial information in an easy-to-understand way. Highly organised and deadline oriented. Building relationships at all levels of the organisation. Flexibility, independence, and initiative to perform successfully in a rapidly changing environment.

Role specific knowledge and experience

Minimum/essential

Strong Financial Control experience and knowledge of Professional Accounting Standards. Experience of working with a large-scale ERP system. Knowledge of accounting standards and relevant regulatory compliance Experience of working with diverse stakeholders in a global organisation. Experience of implementing process change. Experience of designing and utilising metrics and reports to monitor compliance and performance. Managing and developing teams.

Desirable

Experience of working with Shared Service Centres and/or outsourced service providers. Experience of SAP. Knowledge of UK GAAP, IFRS or another local GAAP. Experience of implementing new and emerging technologies. Six sigma green belt or above.

Education and Professional Qualification

Higher Education - Degree Level. Recognised International Accounting or Finance qualification or equivalent such as a relevant degree.

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 askhr@britishcouncil.org