At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant learning centre, inspiring young people aged 7-18 through education and support.
- Company: Award-winning charity dedicated to empowering disadvantaged youth in local communities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, early finishes, and employee support programmes.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Passion for education and experience working with young people.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for travel and career growth.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We’re an award-winning charity running local learning centres in the heart of the communities where the young people we support live. Our centres provide a high-impact education programme which includes practical learning support, pastoral care, and motivational and confidence-building activities for young people aged 7-18. Our aim is to enable students from the least advantaged neighbourhoods to realise their ambitions and achieve their wonderful potential.
As the UK’s leading university access organisation, our staff team is helping 56,000 young people each year at its 44 learning centres and extension projects across England and Scotland, and we plan to scale-up our provision to 50 centres over the coming years.
We are looking for a high-calibre candidate who will enjoy working each day with young people and who will thrive in a frontline, community-based, fast-paced and rewarding role. You will be taking up a permanent role as Centre Leader at our IntoUniversity centre in Southampton. You will have responsibility for running your IntoUniversity centre, including managing your team, planning and delivering the programme, liaising with external stakeholders and meeting IntoUniversity’s targets for delivery.
A substantial element of this role is delivering our education programme to children and young people aged 7-18, so you will need to have a genuine passion and enthusiasm for working with young people, including leading a class of 30 from the front, working with small teams of children and providing one-to-one support.
The role at a glance
- Contract: Full-time, permanent
- Application deadline: 9am Monday 2nd February 2026
- Interview day (in-person): Thursday 12th February 2026
- Start date: As soon as possible, to be agreed directly with the successful candidate
- Working hours: Mon and Thurs: 09:30-18:00; Tues, Weds, Fri: 09:00-17:30 (Some additional weekend & unsocial hours will be required)
Centre Leaders are based at one of our IntoUniversity learning centres and work directly with young people, schools and families on a daily basis. It is therefore not a hybrid role and is based full-time in our centres.
Location
IntoUniversity Southampton. The role requires intermittent travel in your region (usually within the day). Periodic travel out of the area is also required e.g. to London, this may include occasional overnight stays.
Salary
£36,400 per annum.
Annual leave
33 days (inc bank & public holidays) + 3 closure days (two in December and one in July) + additional length of service entitlement (one day per year of service, up to 5 days)
Staff benefits
- Employer pension contributions of 6% (and up to 8% after two years)
- Year round ‘early finish’ Fridays at 4.30pm
- Summer working hours (finish at 1pm on Fridays for six weeks in the summer), pro-rated for staff joining after January in the same year
- Employee Assistance Programme including access to wellbeing and legal support
- Life Assurance scheme with Aviva including SmartHealth service with access to 24/7 online GP appointments
- Interest-free new starter loans of up to £1,000
- Cycle to Work Scheme and Travelcard Loan Scheme
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental and adoption pay and sick pay allowances
- Staff in FOCUS – rewards, competitions and prizes across the year
Centre Leader in Southampton employer: INTOUNIVERSITY
Contact Detail:
INTOUNIVERSITY Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Centre Leader in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research IntoUniversity and its mission. When you understand what drives us, you can tailor your approach during interviews and show how your passion aligns with our goals.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former staff on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and insights. This can give you a leg up in understanding the role and what we value in our team members.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by thinking about real-life examples of your work with young people. We want to see your enthusiasm and how you've made an impact in similar roles. Be ready to share those stories!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our amazing team at IntoUniversity.
We think you need these skills to ace Centre Leader in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for working with young people shine through. We want to see that you genuinely care about making a difference in their lives, so share any relevant experiences or stories that highlight this passion.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to fit the Centre Leader role. Highlight your leadership skills and experience in managing teams, as well as your ability to deliver educational programmes. We love seeing how your background aligns with our mission!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised on our end.
How to prepare for a job interview at INTOUNIVERSITY
✨Know the Mission
Before your interview, dive deep into the charity's mission and values. Understand how they support young people in disadvantaged areas and be ready to discuss how your passion aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to lead a team and engage with young people. Think about times when you’ve successfully managed a group or delivered educational content.
✨Engage with the Community
Familiarise yourself with the local community in Southampton. Be prepared to discuss how you would connect with schools, families, and other stakeholders to enhance the centre's impact.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare insightful questions to ask during the interview. This could include inquiries about the centre's future plans, challenges they face, or how success is measured. It shows your genuine interest in the role and organisation.