At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support colleges across the UK, ensuring exceptional student experiences.
- Company: Join Kaplan International Pathways, a leader in education and student success.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, hybrid working, 28 days leave, and discounts on courses.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' futures while advancing your career in education.
- Qualifications: Experience in education, strong leadership, and excellent communication skills required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: This role will require UK travel and attendance at Colleges across the UK and the London based Head office. Colleges are located in Glasgow, Liverpool, Nottingham, York, Essex, London, Brighton, Bournemouth and Bristol. This role may suit candidates keen for an agile working environment when not travelling.
Working pattern: Full Time, 37.5 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Number of roles: 1
Salary: Competitive
We are looking for a Regional Director of Colleges to join our team. This exciting opportunity exists within the Kaplan UK Pathways, College Leadership team. This is an opportunity to be part of the continual shaping and developing of colleges across the UK and a key role in influencing how future success looks across our colleges.
Role summary: As the Regional Director of Colleges, you will provide support, direction, and leadership to Kaplan UK Colleges within your designated group, in addition to certain cross-college functional responsibilities. You will collaborate with members of the College Leadership team, including the other Regional Director where there will be a close partnership, and will report directly into the Chief Operating Officer, where there will be a possible requirement to deputise. Your overall goal will be ensuring that every student receives an exceptional experience at our Colleges and the very best chance of student success. You will support College Directors in the smooth running and enhancement of College operations with a focus on establishing and raising consistent quality standards and student satisfaction ratings, ensuring budgets are met, improving the effectiveness and efficiency of internal systems and driving employee engagement.
This is an excellent opportunity for a motivational education leader who is looking to expand their skills and build their career with an industry leader.
What you’ll bring to the role:
- Experience in the education sector or a relevant customer-driven environment
- Excellent organisational, inter-personal and communication skills
- Strong financial and business acumen
- Strong leadership and management skills
- Comfortable adopting and applying current and emerging AI technologies to support continuous improvement and innovation
- Proven relationship builder with good coaching skills
- Excellent problem solving skills and ability to manage conflicting priorities
- Strong attention to detail and high level of data accuracy
- Exceptional customer service ethos
- Ability to find and present solutions to achieve customer satisfaction
- Ability to demonstrate international and cultural sensitivities
- Ability to work well under pressure
- Ability to work effectively on an individual basis and as a member of a team
- Ability to see tasks through to completion
What we do: Kaplan International Pathways, a division of Kaplan Inc., offers international students a wide range of flexible study options - from University preparation programmes in the UK, Australia, USA and Japan through to full degree programmes in Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia. Through our academic partnerships with leading universities, our expertise in student recruitment, our exceptional teaching and a real focus on customer service and pastoral care, each year we are proud to welcome thousands of students from more than 100 countries through the doors of our colleges. In the UK, we operate 9 campus-based colleges in partnership with Bournemouth University, University of Glasgow, University of Liverpool, Nottingham Trent University, University of Nottingham, University of Brighton, University of Essex, University of York and University of West of England, Bristol and an off-campus college in London offering pathways to 7 leading well-ranked UK universities.
What we offer:
- 28 days annual leave
- Big discounts on Kaplan courses for you and your family
- 24/7 confidential helpline providing counselling and other support services
- Company pension contributions
- Maternity, Adoption, Shared Parental and Paternity/Partner pay which is well above statutory levels
- Medicash Health Cash Plan
Please note that the annual leave entitlement will be calculated on a pro rata basis if the role is part time.
Remuneration: The role will attract a competitive base salary plus an annual bonus, based on company and individual objectives.
How to apply: Please apply with CV and cover letter no later than 11pm on 24th February 2026, please include details on your salary expectations. Note, we recommend that you apply at the earliest as we reserve the right to close the role before the closing date if we have gathered a suitable shortlist.
Additional Application Information: Kaplan is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment. This role involves working with learners who are under 18 years old and are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Recruitment checks are undertaken in accordance with our background-checking policy. Successful applicants will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure (including children’s barred list) via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to confirm their suitability to work with children and young people. In addition to the DBS check, for roles that include teaching or coaching, a Prohibition from Teaching Check will be completed through the Teaching Regulation Agency. Please be aware that it is an offense to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.
Application Support: If you require support completing your application or wish to talk to someone about the role before applying please email the Recruitment Team.
Disability Confident Scheme and Reasonable Adjustments: At Kaplan International Pathways, we’re dedicated to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive global workforce. As equal opportunity employers, we ensure fair treatment for all employees, safeguarding them from discrimination based on protected characteristics as defined in the Equality Act 2010, and beyond. We actively welcome individuals from varied backgrounds to apply for roles within our organisation, appreciating the distinct viewpoints and contributions they offer. We especially encourage applications from underrepresented groups, including diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ individuals, women, people with visible and hidden disabilities, and individuals of any age or family status.
Following the submission of an application, applicants will receive details of how to request their application be considered under our Disability Confident Scheme. Applicants will also be given information on how to request reasonable adjustments if selected for interview.
Employee Resource Group: Furthermore, we proudly endorse and provide a platform for our Employee Resource Groups, such as Kaplan Pride, Higher Ground Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage Group, and Parents and Carers. These groups serve as vital forums for support, connection, and advocacy within our company.
Regional Director of Colleges in London employer: Kaplan Financial
Contact Detail:
Kaplan Financial Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Regional Director of Colleges in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector and let them know you're on the hunt for a Regional Director role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching Kaplan's values and recent initiatives. Show us that you’re not just another candidate, but someone who genuinely understands our mission and is excited to contribute to the success of our colleges.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! We want to hear about your past experiences and how you've driven change in educational settings. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your skills in managing teams and improving student satisfaction.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at Kaplan.
We think you need these skills to ace Regional Director of Colleges in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully: Before you start writing, make sure to read through the job description thoroughly. It’s packed with info about what we’re looking for, and it’ll help you tailor your CV and cover letter to match our needs.
Showcase Your Experience: When you’re putting together your CV and cover letter, highlight your experience in the education sector or any customer-driven environments. We want to see how your background aligns with the role of Regional Director of Colleges.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your key skills and achievements. Remember, we’re looking for strong organisational skills!
Apply Early!: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We recommend applying as soon as you can, as we might close the role early if we find a suitable candidate. Head over to our website to get started!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kaplan Financial
✨Know Your Colleges
Before the interview, make sure to research the specific colleges you'll be overseeing. Understand their unique challenges and successes, and think about how your leadership can enhance their operations. This will show your genuine interest and readiness to step into the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be prepared to discuss your leadership approach and how it aligns with the values of Kaplan UK Pathways. Share examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, particularly in educational settings, and how you foster collaboration and engagement among staff.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Since the role requires strong financial skills, come ready to discuss your experience with budgeting and resource management. Prepare to share specific instances where you've improved efficiency or met financial targets, as this will highlight your business acumen.
✨Embrace Innovation
With a focus on adopting emerging AI technologies, be ready to talk about how you've used technology to drive improvements in education or operations. Discuss any innovative solutions you've implemented and how they benefited students and staff alike.