Regional Director of Colleges

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.

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:

As well as a competitive salary, hybrid/home working where possible, and paths for career progression, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• 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.