Bayswater Education Hiring for Centre Manager Job at United Kingdom Full Time

Centre Manager

Bayswater is looking for an experienced international education leader to fulfill the role of Centre Manager of our Brighton school.

Position Summary

The Centre Manager is ultimately responsible for the operational, commercial and academic needs of the centre, as well as the welfare needs of the staff and students. As part of a wider group, they will be supported by and expected to collaborate with the Academic Development Manager, the Operational Process Manager and the Operations Director.

The Centre Manager will require excellent communication and inter-personal skills, projecting a courteous and professional manner at all times when representing the college. Outside of the classroom the Centre Manager is a go-to person for students and team members.

The ideal candidate will have the following attributes:

• Someone with a positive attitude and can-do approach
• Someone organised with an eye for detail, working to a high standard
• Someone with an eye for quality and the passion to bring about exceptional student experiences
• Someone who embraces, drives and leads on positive change
• Someone who takes ownership but can also collaborate with peers
• Someone who embodies our values

Key duties & responsibilities

Strategy & General Management

• Create a welcoming school culture and climate conducive to learning for all students and all staff.
• Nurture a culture where all staff are guided by the 4 promises:
  • We are your home away from home
  • We are a student powered community
  • We focus on your goals
  • We develop Global citizens.
• Understand and be able to communicate the vision and mission of Bayswater Education.
• Ensure the building is both welcoming and compliant with government regulations.
• Manage in school financial compliance.
• Control credit, making certain that all students have paid for their course prior to entering class (save for some exceptions) and avoid aged debtors.
• Keep the Director of Operations abreast of any issues within the school.
• Oversee the roll out of Bayswater teaching methodology with the group Academic Development Manager.
• With the Professional Courses Manager, ensure the smooth running and growth of the professional courses.
• Support the smooth running and growth of the foreign language courses in the evenings.
• Work closely with the senior management team and sales staff (Global Sales Director and other company directors.)
• Maintain British Council accreditation (BC)
• Identify the markets and agents to drive the growth of the Brighton centre.
• Manage extensions and embassy bookings so that we are paid promptly.

Administrative Management

Develop operational systems, procedures and processes that are effective, run smoothly and contribute to an outstanding service for clients and ensure that all governance and compliance standards are maintained.

• Ensure Health and Safety policies are followed and requirements met
• Ensure the college ‘CLASS’ database is maintained and up to date with correct student details ensuring accurate records of student attendance are being kept and absences are being communicated to academic management and other stakeholders in a timely manner.
• Ensure appropriate feedback mechanisms are in place to monitor quality and satisfaction, both formally and informally.

Customer Service & Sales

• Promote a learning environment and performance management culture which results in attraction, retention and development of high-quality staff.
• Act as a dedicated Group Liaison Officer to ensure that Group leaders are met with and any issues that arise are dealt with and that feedback is collected.
• Ensure the school answers all e-mails and telephone calls in a timely manner.
• Communicate with other staff members within the organisation including Sales, Marketing, Admissions, Finance and the Academic team, keeping to agreed internal service targets.
• Respond to Agents requests for students that are studying in the college and show them around the college if the relevant salesperson is not available.
• Ensure there is a vibrant, imaginative and fulfilling series of events for our students and partners. This includes but is not limited to lectures, social events and company visits.
• Ensure that we maximise walk-in enquiries and selling our courses & programmes to them.

Accommodation Management

• Ensure that:
  • the accommodation team build a network of accommodation options including student residences, homestays and hostels for individual and group bookings.
  • the accommodation team keep accurate, up–to-date records of all accommodation bookings and that the college adheres to all accrediting bodies.
  • any issues that arise in accommodation are dealt with appropriately and proactively, fostering good relationships with all accommodation providers including homestay families, residences, landlords, agencies, hostels and hotels.
  • terms and conditions of accommodation must be clear prior to booking to prevent a negative financial impact on the college.
  • there is forward planning on accommodation capacity, working closely with the Sales & Admissions teams to drive sales and ensure that student bookings can be fulfilled.
  • accommodation availability is communicated to Senior Management, Sales and Admissions on a regular basis (more regularly during peak periods).
  • there is adequate cover throughout the team to maintain continuity of service.

Academic Management

Ensure that:

• • the Director of Studies maintains optimal class sizes and optimal nationality mixes.
  • the Director of Studies maintains classes according to timetable needs and teacher skills.
  • the classing of students is undertaken appropriately when they join and are moved.
  • accurate records are kept on the progress and attendance of students.
  • all academic staff are up to date with administrative procedures including registers, progress reports and certificates.
  • weekly plans are produced and that these are filed appropriately and referred to systematically to avoid repetition of work.
  • the Academic Management Team manage teacher leave to balance classing and staff welfare.
  • observations and appraisals of all teaching staff are undertaken in line with company policy.
  • CPD, the annual conference and external seminars are promoted.
  • teachers’ meetings regularly weekly, minutes are taken, and feedback acted upon.
  • that all new teachers receive a contract and thorough induction before starting teaching.
  • adequate cover policies and procedures are in place.

• Support the Academic Management Team in the recruitment of teaching staff in line with student enrolments, paying due attention to the qualification requirements set out by the relevant regulatory bodies, and company policy with regards to DBS, reference checks and work rights.
• Carry out disciplinary procedures where necessary with teaching staff.

Welfare Management

• Act as Safeguarding Lead for the London site, accountable for the safety and care of students at all times.
• Ensure there is a consistent first point of contact for students requiring assistance and provide support to students for any personal problems that may arise.
• Be kept informed of any welfare issues that are being addressed by other team members, make a record and keep the Head of UK Centres and other senior managers informed of any major welfare issues.
• Create and participate in a rota with the college team to provide emergency telephone support out of office hours (evenings and weekends).
• Communicate policies regarding all aspects of student welfare and health & safety to the entire college. Ensure that all policies are adhered to and take immediate action were they not to be.
• Ensure we provide a learning environment that is inspiring, fun and vibrant, as well as respectful and culturally aware.
• Ensure attendance, absence and punctuality are recorded and monitored in line with company policies, with special attention given to any under-18s not attending class.

Knowledge, qualifications and experience

• An undergraduate degree (essential)
• A teaching qualification (essential)
• A welfare qualification (desirable)
• Senior management experience: experience in a school environment and management of a team
• People management: experience of managing staff as well as the ability to contribute effectively as a member of a senior management team
• Managing pressure: ability to manage time effectively, work under pressure, delegate and prioritise
• Experience of:
  • managing groups of international students taking part in education programmes
  • building and managing high performing teams
  • safe-guarding of children and best practices
  • working to commercial targets
  • working with international clients

The post holder will carry out any other reasonable duties in the best interests of the college.

Skills and Attributes

• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
• Competence in leadership and administration
• Highly collaborative and able to work across teams to deliver results
• Numerate and IT literate with competence in Excel
• Highly organised and able to manage a varied and demanding workload
• A keen eye for detail and a methodical and diligent approach to ensure quality and accurate results to any given task

Personal Attributes

• Approachable, friendly and caring
• Resilient with a flexible, ‘can-do’ approach to work
• Results and customer focussed
• Has high expectations of self and others
• A team player and able to build rapport and engage with a diverse range of people
• Committed to equality and diversity
• Committed to continuous improvement through being outward looking and reflective
• Passion to deliver a time of their lives experience to our students

Legal Requirements

• Eligibility to live and work in the UK
• Enhanced DBS Disclosure

All employees must act in the best interests of the company at all times. This includes following best practice and trade standards set by the British Council and data protection laws set out in GDPR.

This job description is provided as a guide to the role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive description of duties and responsibilities. It may be subject to periodic revision to meet business requirements.

Bayswater is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. As part of our Safer Recruitment Policy you will be asked to explain any gaps in your work and education history. You will also be required to undergo a DBS Enhanced Disclosure check and provide the contact details of at least 2 referees, who will be asked specifically if they have any concerns about your suitability to work with people under 18. Evidence of eligibility to work in the UK must be provided at interview stage.

This role meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. All applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Serviced check before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions.