Centre Manager - Manchester (English Language School)

Centre Manager – Malvern House Manchester

Malvern’s Vision is to be a trusted global partner in education, delivering pathways, language experiences, and university services that transform lives and shape futures through innovation and collaboration, supporting our Mission to equip students for success through language experiences, university pathways, and career-focused learning, and help our partners grow through innovative education services.

Our company values are PASSION in that we are driven by a deep passion for education, inspiring students and partners to achieve excellence and success. EXPERTISE in our extensive experience in international education, we deliver trusted, cutting-edge support to students and partners. CREATIVITY in embracing fresh ideas and innovation, crafting dynamic learning experiences and tailored solutions for a changing world. CHANGE-MAKING to drive positive change through education, innovation, and a commitment to making a lasting impact on society and the environment. COLLABORATION to build strong partnerships and foster teamwork, creating a supportive environment where everyone can thrive

We are now seeking a Centre Manager for our English Language School based in the heart of Manchester City Centre. The Centre Manager has overall responsibility for all aspects of the day to day running of the school. This includes leadership, recruitment and development of staff; implementation of quality control processes; ownership of profit and loss e.g. in the management of resources and capacity within budgetary constraints. The Centre Manager is the main point of contact for external bodies and clients, ensures that the school delivers the highest standards of service, and coordinates and supports other functions to drive business in the centre forward.

Main duties

Strategic Leadership

• Support designing strategies and set goals for growth e.g. by planning and implementing the strategic development of the centre with other members of the Senior Management Team.
• Work with the MD ELT and CFO to set budgets and maintain good financial and capacity control.
• Maintain and develop relationships with external bodies e.g. English UK and provide the documentation for external regulatory bodies including UKVI, British Council and ISI.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of current trends and issues within the industry.
• Attend senior management meetings and compile reports as required.
• Ensure that all projects are delivered on time, within scope and budget. e.g. setting deadlines, assigning responsibilities and monitoring progress of project.
• Assessment of staffing needs and recruitment for Student Services and Academic Team.

Business Development

• Have a sense of shared ownership of revenue and profit targets and thus a responsibility to support the development of revenue streams, relationships with key partners (agents, tenants etc.) and direct sales clients.
• Work with the sales, marketing, academic and admissions departments to develop and publicise products and the centre to maximise sales (local, international, upselling and extending).
• Facilitating local and direct sales by supporting the direct sales department, for example in overseeing walk-ins and follow up processes to achieve the highest level of booking conversions and ensuring all student enquiries are recorded and followed up correctly within the HubSpot CRM sales system. (or equivalent)
• Support all stages of the sales pipeline e.g. showcase the school to agents and other external visitors.

Operations

• Develop the school as a centre of excellence, promoting continuous improvement in all areas of delivery e.g. through oversight of student services, social programme and academics.
• Co-ordinate and facilitate communications between all departments within the organisation to ensure the smooth operation of the centre and the highest standards of customer service and student experience.
• Work with the Head of Operations to set policies, processes and systems, and update documentation.
• Be responsible for the quality of the premises to ensure a welcoming, high quality and well-functioning environment: resources, repairs, cleaning and maintenance, IT provision, classrooms.
• Be responsible for actively monitoring student numbers and activity at the school and ensuring all space is effectively optimised.
• Oversee all aspects of quality control including external and internal audits, and student feedback to enhance the reputation of the school.
• Ensure statutory and regulatory compliance e.g. fire, health and safety regulations.
• Ensure the school fulfils its duty of care to students with overall responsibility for the implementation of safeguarding and child protection policies as the Centre’s Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• Manage all cash transactions in compliance with Malvern International Plc standards as directed by the Finance Team.
• Proactively liaise with Finance Team regarding students accounts and any other financial matters such as managing in school payments and cash management.
• Coordinate with the Accommodation Manager to ensure a strong, consistent and profitable supply of accommodation options.
• Be a key partner of the Admissions Manager to ensure consistent, timely and accurate enrolment of all students, and ensure a transparent feedback loop with agents and other partners.

People Management

• Provide strong leadership and motivation to all staff and develop a good team spirit.
• Line manage the Student Services team and Director of Studies: setting of targets, holding teams to account, supporting with resourcing and training etc.
• Supporting the management of all the Centre staff e.g. in the conducting of the annual PDR process, line management of teachers etc.
• Identify staff training needs and provide CPD framework for non-academic staff, including oversight of induction and internal training programmes.
• Organise and run centre staff meetings, including teacher rep meetings.
• Support the HR department to ensure regulatory compliance for staff recruitment and all HR processes e.g. clear and up-to-date staff records and job descriptions for academic and student services roles.
• Conduct or support as appropriate grievance, disciplinary and ad hoc HR processes.
• Organise and take part in the emergency phone rota to ensure support is continually available out of hours.

Student experience

• Provide a figurehead for the students and respond to student complaints and grievances as a final resort.
• Oversee all student processes and documentation from pre to post course.
• Oversee and coordinate student inductions and greet students on arrival.
• Be a visible presence in the school, driving student engagement and fostering an environment that supports learning and cultural & social immersion, enabling our students to become a part of the community that they are studying in.

Essential Skills & Qualifications:

• Knowledge of international student recruitment, agent management, engagement, enrolment, admissions and visa processes in a higher education setting – especially in the regional context.
• A demonstrable passion for education and training.
• Good knowledge of different business functions.
• Record of successfully managing a centre (or business unit) through an inspection or audit process. 
• Prior track record of people management and ability to build teams, for example a minimum 5 years’ ELT management experience, including financial management, is desirable.
• Degree or equivalent.
• Experience in generating demand from a range of recruitment channels, including agents and direct recruitment.
• Numerate and data-driven, with good IT skills (MS office suite) and experience of using systems (CRM/HubSpot) to closely manage sales pipelines, student admissions and agent performance.
• Solid grasp of data analysis and performance metrics.
• An ability to analyse and conceptualise with strong communication skills, including excellent written, spoken and interpersonal skills.
• Highly organised with a strong work ethic: a proven track record of working under pressure and achieving outstanding performance.
• Wide cross-cultural understanding and knowledge of foreign languages an advantage.
• Eligibility to live and work in the role location.
• Meet statutory and organisational child safeguarding requirements e.g. Safeguarding Lead level 3 certificate and Prevent certificate.

Personal attributes

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strategic thinking with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in education.
• Analytical mindset to interpret data and implement evidence-based improvements.

Cover Arrangements

• Acts as cover for the Director of Studies and Student Services Coordinator roles in the case of their absence, for example due to leave or illness.
• The Centre Manager role is covered as follows: strategic leadership, business development and people management by the HOO; operations by the Student Services Coordinator; and student experience by the Director of Studies 

This job specification is not exhaustive and may involve the fulfilment of other duties as deemed required by the organisation.

This role is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS.

Please submit your application to careers@malvernplc.com

Closing date for applications: 17th October 2025

Salary range - £38,000 - £42,000