Test Center Manager

The British Council builds connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education and the English language. We work in two ways – directly with individuals to transform their lives, and with governments and partners to make a bigger difference for the longer term, creating benefit for millions of people all over the world. We help young people to gain the skills, confidence and connections they are looking for to realise their potential and to participate in strong and inclusive communities. We support them to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications. Our work in arts and culture stimulates creative expression and exchange and nurtures creative enterprise. We connect the best of the UK with the world and the best of the world with the UK. These connections lead to an understanding of each other’s strengths and of the challenges and values that we share. This builds trust between people in the UK and other nations which endures even when official relations may be strained. We work on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2019-20 we connected with 80 million people directly and with 791 million overall, including online and through our broadcasts and publications.

Role Purpose
To ensure IELTS on Computer (IoC) Test Centre network is well established through new IoC centres expansion and development in the region. To ensure high quality examinations services are delivered to IELTS test takers in East China, through relationship management with the IELTS Test Centre network. To ensure high standards are maintained throughout the Test Centre network.

Role context

This position sits in IELTS test centre team as part of wider East China Examinations Services based in Shanghai. This position plays a critical part in shaping and executing test centre capacity building strategy, and effectively managing test centre network in East China to ensure partners network is bulit and operational standards are met. This role requires strong ability of relationship building and communication across different teams and stakeholders internally and externally.

Main accountabilities but not limited to the following:

1)   Management of Capacity Building in Test Centres East China

• Initiate and implement strategies on IoC capacity building for East China
• Support the business transformation iniatives to secure sustainable business growth
• Manage the whole process of new IoC centre establishment from searching for potential partners, to construction progress check and finally having the centre launched as planned
• Contribute to national test centre strategies and initiatives

2)    Maintenance of Test Centre Network Relationship

• Communicate and bridge to implement key IELTS operational changes within Test Centre Network
• Develop and initiate effective mechanism to enhance the relationship with IELTS Test Centres East China
• Organise regional and national IELTS Test Centres annual meetings

3)   Quality Assurance and Compliance

• Manage IELTS Test Centres East China to meet the core standards on facilities, internet connection, equipments and security
• Enhance the customer service satisfactory level across test centres by all means including trainings
• Manage the IELTS branding adherence across IELTS Test Centres East China
• Support the various internal and external IELTS Audits
• Work with test centres to implement audit actions plan according to defined schedule

4)   Line management of TCO

• Line manage Test Centre Officers and effectively manage staff performance and address underperformance issues in accordance with British Council HR standards
• Conduct performance planning, performance review and performance evaluating as per the PMPD procedure and standards

5)   Professional development and other duties

• Attend trainings, workshops and other activities as necessary
• Take agreed handovers from the peers, line managees and line manager in their absence
• Other duties and projects as assigned   
• Financial duties per delegation

Requirements:

The British Council systems and global processes operate in English. Written and verbal proficiency in English is required.

• Communication Skills: Speaking, listening and writing
• English B2 (Aptis, IELTS 6.5 or equivalent)
• Chinese C1 (HSK 5 or equivalent)
• Bachelor degree or equivalent

Role specific knowledge and experience:

Minimum/essential

• Demonstrable experience of managing people and processes;
• Proven record of account management, process control and quality assurance;
• Budget planning and monitoring.

Desirable

• Knowledge of international Exams products and processes;
• Training delivery experience.

Role specific skills:

Excel at Microsoft PPT, EXCEL, OUTLOOK and PHOTOSHOP softwares.

Further Information

Pay Band –  6 (starts from CNY 12,000 per month)

Contract Type – 3 years, fixed term contract

Location – Shanghai, China

Other Requirements – Job holder must have the right to live and work in China.

Closing Date – 16 October 2022 – 23:59 China Time (GMT +8)

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.