Account Manager

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.

Pay Band: 6/G

Country/Location: Sri Lanka

Department: English and Exams

Contract Type: Indefinite Contract Local

Closing Date: 21st September 2026

Role Purpose:

The purpose of this role is to manage a pipeline of qualified opportunities to win new business and a portfolio of existing accounts to retain and grow income and ensure we are delivering on customer goals. This role will work with stakeholders across our Examinations business to sell solutions covering our Examinations products and work closely with different stakeholder groups during solution design, proposal/bud development and through delivery. They will be the key point of contact for the B2B Accounts they manage, internally and externally.

Main accountabilities:

The Account Manager will contribute to the development and implementation of the British Council’s B2B sales strategy within an assigned territory in Sri Lanka. The role will support business planning, income target setting and the delivery of sales strategies across relevant markets, industries, channels and products, using data and market insight to inform regional priorities.

The Account Manager will identify and pursue new business opportunities by building internal and external networks, monitoring relevant tender opportunities and working with Business Pursuit colleagues to engage key stakeholders within target organisations. The role will manage a pipeline of opportunities from initial engagement and pitching through to negotiation and closure, while understanding customer requirements and working with internal teams to develop effective solutions, bids and proposals.

The role will take responsibility for achieving agreed sales targets by maintaining regular sales activity and working with stakeholders across business units to ensure operational readiness and effective delivery. The Account Manager will lead the solution design process for clients, coordinating across internal teams, business units and geographies, and will negotiate commercial contracts within agreed margins where required. The role will also identify opportunities to improve processes, resources, service quality and sales effectiveness.

The Account Manager will act as a key point of contact for corporate clients and will bring together internal stakeholders to support the full B2B customer journey, including solution design, pricing, onboarding and delivery. The role will develop account plans for key customers to maximise retention, growth and value creation, while maintaining strong relationships through regular engagement, post-delivery reviews and renewal discussions. The Account Manager will also identify opportunities to cross-sell relevant British Council products and services

The role will maintain accurate customer and opportunity information across CRM and other business systems and will provide regular, data-driven insights on sales, delivery and customer retention to support continuous improvement. The Account Manager will manage assigned CRM workflows and ensure activities are completed to agreed quality and timelines.

The Account Manager will coordinate with internal colleagues and external partners to support the timely and effective delivery of activities, while sharing market intelligence, insights and ideas across teams. Through strong collaboration and customer-focused account management, the role will contribute to winning, delivering and growing B2B business for the British Council in Sri Lanka.

Role specific knowledge, skills and experience:

• University degree or equivalent in a relevant subject or discipline
• Sales or Marketing qualifications
• 3+ years of sales experience
• Familiarity with Salesforce or use of similar CRM
• Proficiency in Microsoft office programs
• Local language at C2 level for speaking and writing. English level at C2 speaking and writing
• High-level sales and negotiation skills
• High-level stakeholder management skills
• Project Management skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft office programs

Condition of Employment:

Language: Strong English proficiency is crucial for this role, requiring fluency in both written and spoken communication to effectively navigate British Council systems and international operations.

Please note: Interviews will be conducted primarily in English. The successful candidate must be able to speak and write well in English, as this is essential for the role.

Locally recruited: Applications are welcomed from candidates currently in this location with a natural right to work. Relocation support is not provided.

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 [email protected]