Communications Manager, China

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 Payband 6
Contract Type:
Indefinite contract

Location:
Beijing, China

Closing Date:
28th Dec 2025

You must have the legal right to work in
**China at the time of application.

There is no relocation or sponsorship support.
Role Purpose**
To support the development and implementation of the communications strategy for China, with a primary focus on the Exams Business Unit. This business-critical role will drive revenue generation, enhance brand positioning, and protect the British Council's reputation in a key global market.

Accountabilities/Responsibilities
P
lanning
& implementation

• Develops and manages the implementation of the communications strategy for the Exams Strategic Business Unit (SBU), ensuring alignment with country and regional plans.
• Manages the delivery of impactful internal and external communications campaigns for Exams, ensuring consistent messaging that supports business objectives.
• Manages media relations activities, leveraging local knowledge of the China media landscape to secure positive coverage and manage relationships with key journalists.
• Leads on the planning and coordination of internal and change communications to ensure employees, particularly within the Exams team, are well-informed.
• Proactively identifies, manages, and mitigates communications risks related to the Exams business to protect and maintain the reputation of the British Council.

Consultancy, analysis & problem-solving

• Applies deep understanding of the local China context, including language and stakeholder dynamics, to assess and improve communications effectiveness.
• Delivers tailored communications initiatives that address the specific business needs of the Exams Business Unit.
• Applies analytical approaches to identify and assess current state of country communications, define opportunities for improvement, implement agreed projects and initiatives, ensuring consistency with regional communications plans and approaches. .
• Presents complex information clearly, producing tailored presentations, which convincingly influence decision-makers about the case for communications initiatives.

Internal customer focus

• Builds an in-depth understanding of the country's operational context, opportunities and challenges for communications.
• Makes appropriate linkages to issues across the broader organisation and region, to ensure that the delivery of communications projects and initiatives is based on informed business insight and joined-up thinking.
• Proactively seeks internal customer and other stakeholder feedback to monitor satisfaction with the standard of communications advice and business support provided, enabling improvements to be made where issued are identified.
• Develops peer networks within the local market to enhance knowledge and expertise of the unique and rapidly evolving social media landscape (e.g., WeChat, Weibo, Red Book).

Commercial & financial management

• Conducts monthly and year-end reporting on progress against plan and deliverables and management of issues and risks.
• Shows an understanding of value for money/cost effectiveness in the advice, recommendations or service support provided.

Relationship & stakeholder management

• Ensures solid and beneficial relationships with the China Exams Leadership Team, FCDO Communications team, and key external stakeholders and media outlets.
• Develops peer networks within the local market to enhance knowledge and expertise of the unique and rapidly evolving social media landscape (e.g., WeChat, Weibo).

Leadership & management

• Plans and prioritizes own work to deliver on diverse responsibilities, with a focus and priority on supporting the Exams SBU objectives.
• Coordinates input from internal teams and external partners to meet campaign and project objectives

Role Specific Knowledge And Experience
Minimum / Essential Requirements

• Demonstrable experience in managing communications within a large and complex organisation or agency
• Experience in providing expert advice and guidance on internal and external communications
• Experience in managing and mitigating internal and external communications risks and issues
• Proven record of editorial experience (i.e. proofreading, translation, knowledge of different content types, etc.)
• Creative approach to implementing and evaluating communication activities

Desirable Requirements

• Experience in a global organization

Education and Qualification

• Relevant degree e.g. communications, journalism, marketing, or equivalent level of experience

Language Requirement

• 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 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