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Pay Band: 8
Contract Type: Indefinite
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Closing Date: Tuesday 3 June 2025 23:59 Singapore time (GMT+08)
Role Purpose & Context
The British Council Japan Exams team conducts approximately 250,000 tablet-based speaking tests annually. We are seeking a Project Manager whose primary responsibility is to manage and revise work plans across various workstreams related to this project.
The British Council Strategic Programmes team has created a scalable solution for delivering, evaluating, and reporting on tablet-based speaking tests. Given the anticipated demand for these bespoke tests in Japan and internationally, this role will be pivotal in diversifying the Exams portfolio. The Project Manager will ensure that all work plans are well-documented, clearly defined, and appropriately resourced for the successful development, delivery, and reporting of these initiatives.
Role Accountabilities
We are looking for a Project Manager to oversee the delivery of key projects within our team. This role involves working closely with colleagues to establish realistic timelines and targets for project deliverables. You will lead the development and maintenance of the Project Delivery Plan to ensure alignment with corporate priorities and successful achievement of objectives.
You will be responsible for ensuring that the project is effectively structured and resourced while adapting work plans based on operational changes. Monitoring and evaluating completed projects will allow you to identify areas for improvement.
Building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders is vital in this role, as is ensuring effective communication to enhance service delivery. You will implement risk mitigation strategies to manage challenges and ensure compliance with operational standards.
In addition to managing financial targets and addressing variances, you will lead and inspire your team, fostering a culture of excellence and inclusion. Through performance feedback and coaching, you will maximize staff productivity and contribute to the development of broader regional strategies.
Essential
Qualifications & Experience:
- Demonstrated experience of successfully managing multiple projects for a multi-national organization
- Track record of delivering projects on time, within quality standards, and on budget in complex stakeholder environments
- Experience working in an international and challenging environment
- Written and verbal proficiency in English
- Japanese proficiency across Speaking, Listening, Writing, and Reading to a C2 level
- Relevant degree or equivalent experience
- Project Management Professional Certification (PMP) or Prince2
Desirable
- Experience working on large, complex, or high-value projects
- Experience in delivering learning and/or assessment programs and projects
- Experience leading digital/online projects on a global scale
Further Information
Right to work: As we cannot sponsor work passes, applicants must already have the right to live and work in Japan.
Additional Requirements
Possible Changes to Your Duties
You may be assigned to different duties designated by the British Council to meet operational demands.
Possible Changes to Your Place of Work
You may be transferred to a different workplace designated by the British Council to meet operational demands.
A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.
Equality , Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Statement
The British Council is committed to policies and practices of equality, diversity and inclusion across everything we do. We support all staff to make sure their behaviour is consistent with this commitment. We want to address under representation and encourage applicants from under-represented groups, in particular, but not exclusively, on grounds of ethnicity and disability. All disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria are guaranteed an interview and we have Disability Confident Employer Status. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.
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; these will include qualification checks, reference checks, identity & criminal record checks in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.
If you have any problems with your application please email
[email protected]Please note: Applications to this role can only be considered when made through the Apply section of our careers website. Our ‘ASK HR’ email is only to be used in case of a technical issue encountered when applying through the careers website. Emails with supporting statements and CV/Resumes sent to this email address will not be reviewed and will be deleted.