Centre Director

House Study Holidays Limited; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 100,000 - GBP 125,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational organization in Bournemouth is seeking a Centre Director for a summer programme. The role involves leading a team, managing budgets, and ensuring safety and satisfaction for approximately 300 students. Candidates should have proven management experience, ideally in a school setting, and be skilled at working with young people from diverse backgrounds. Full residential accommodation is provided, with competitive weekly pay and multiple benefits.

Benefits

Full-board accommodation

Management training weekend

Loyalty payments

Qualifications

• Proven management and leadership experience in a summer or year-round school.
• Experience communicating with diverse cultures and working with young people.
• Education ideally to degree level with summer school management experience.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate academic and activities programme alongside Centre Management.
• Manage customer expectations and troubleshoot issues professionally.
• Control budgets and safeguard the wellbeing of students and staff.

Skills

Management experience

Leadership

Communication skills

Work with young people

Budget management

Education

Degree level education

Job description

Overview

Do you have what it takes to lead a high-energy summer programme and create unforgettable experiences for our international students?

At Stafford House Study Holidays, we welcome over 6,000 students (ages 8-17) from overseas during the summer to help them improve their English. Students stay for up to 2 weeks at one of our summer centres, taking part in a rich academic, activities and excursions programme. We provide full support during their stay, including airport transfers, accommodation, and meals. As Centre Director, you’re the glue that binds the whole programme together. You’ll lead your team to deliver a safe, educational and memorable experience for every student.

Locations: Bournemouth, Cambridge, Central London, Uxbridge, Northampton, Oakham (famous for the Michael Owen Red Stars football school) and York; new for 2026.

Contract: Your contract will run from 5-9 weeks and you must be available for the entirety of the contract. Dates will vary from 16 June to 26 August 2026, depending on the school. You must be residential for the duration of your contract and available to attend our training weekend in June 2026.

Hours: This is a fully immersive role, working 60 hours per week over 6 days. Full-board accommodation is provided, giving you the chance to spend summer in a new location if you wish.

What does it take to be a Centre Director?

We are looking for candidates with proven management and leadership experience, ideally in a summer or year-round school. Depending on the centre, you will oversee around 300 students and 30 staff. You must be a great communicator and have experience working with young people from diverse cultures. This varied role also involves budget management, customer and team satisfaction, and acting as the centre’s designated safeguarding lead.

Key duties

• Coordinating the academic and activities programme: Working alongside the Centre Management Team to ensure high performance and a great student experience.
• Managing customer expectations: Troubleshooting any issues that arise calmly and professionally.
• Controlling budgets and expenditure
• Safeguarding: Acting as one of the Designated Safeguarding Leads for the centre. We take safeguarding very seriously. If successful we will conduct full pre-employment checks including an Enhanced DBS check.
• Health, safety, and wellbeing: Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of students and staff.
• Pastoral duties: Taking part in pastoral duties including night duties on a rota basis.
• Right to work in the UK: You must already have the right to work in the UK.
• Training weekend: You must be available to attend our training weekend in June 2026.
• Education and experience: You’ll ideally be educated to degree level with previous experience of summer school management.

*Please see the Job Description and list of FAQs for more information

What’s in it for you as a Centre Director?

• Work with an experienced and supportive team.

• Expand your management experience with a full training weekend and ongoing support during your contract.

• Full-board accommodation provided.

• Gain experience in a fast-paced, fun, multicultural educational environment.

• Opportunity to lead, inspire, and make a lasting impact on students from around the world.

Pay:

Band 1 (larger centres) Centre Director - £952.80 per week + holiday entitlement

Band 2 Centre Director - £912.00 per week + holiday entitlement

Emergency Phone Payments – up to £40 per week (£20 per night payments for emergency phone cover – anticipated twice per week)

Loyalty Payments - £20 - £43 per week

*paid at the end of your contract

More information

WHO ARE WE? Stafford House has over 70 years’ experience in providing international students with great English language study experiences in the UK. Our mission is to educate, inspire and help our students enjoy our locations, empowering them with confidence to realise their personal potential. Stafford House comprises 2 brands, Stafford House International and Stafford House Study Holidays. We offer 7 fantastic study locations within the UK with a wide range of courses to choose from including English Language and activities, creative Art & Design, sports, and academic preparation courses. Stafford House International is part of CATS Global Schools (CGS), a leading education group committed to inspiring the next generation of world shapers.

OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFEGUARDING: CATS Global Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our students and expect everyone connected with the organisation to share this commitment. All positions are subject to the satisfactory completion of safer recruitment pre-employment checks in line with KCSIE guidelines. All shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a criminal declaration form prior to interview and be subject to online checks which may include social media checks in addition to an enhanced DBS check (DBS process paid for by CATS Global Schools), references and if applicable, an overseas police check.

OUR COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY: We are committed to diversity, inclusion and belonging. Building on our core values – Pioneering, Persevering, People – we pledge to deliver a series of events, guest speakers and focus groups to make CATS Global Schools an employer of choice for all.

AND FINALLY What are you waiting for? We look forward to hearing from you. Good luck!