Director Operations, France

About the role

The Director of Operations for France will be based in the Paris office, with the flexibility to work one day per week remotely. Reporting to the Country Director, you will lead change, staff engagement and operational compliance across the British Council’s French operations.

Key responsibilities

• Manage day‑to‑day HR and people issues, ensuring contractual relationships and staff wellbeing are aligned with British Council values.
• Ensure compliance with corporate People policies, performance management processes and staff survey actions.
• Lead and represent senior management in Works Council (CSE) meetings, preparing agendas, presenting positions and overseeing legal compliance.
• Own the relationship with internal and external legal counsel on labour‑relations matters.
• Oversee end‑to‑end CSE governance, including agenda setting, minute drafting and implementation of decisions.
• Support the Country Director in delivering extensive organisational change, including restructuring of English and Examinations teams and premises transitions.
• Maintain high standards of operational governance and external compliance across all country programmes.

Required profile

• Proven senior leadership experience in HR, operations or change management within a large, complex organisation.
• Deep knowledge of French labour law and corporate governance requirements.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, able to work closely with senior leaders, legal advisors and employee representatives.
• Excellent communication and negotiation abilities, with a focus on staff engagement and duty of care.

Required skills