Centre Manager: Lead a Multicultural Summer Language Program in Canterbury

For over 70 years, St Giles has been dedicated to delivering exceptional English language learning experiences. Everything we do begins and ends with our students: from the moment our young learners arrive, our teams work to ensure they are engaged, supported, and having the educational experience of a lifetime. St Giles Juniors welcomes students from over 50 countries and is recognised as a leading provider of high-quality, culturally enriching summer programmes.

Our aim is to create a safe, supervised environment where young people can learn, grow, and connect across cultures. We only recruit staff who are committed to putting student welfare first and who bring the energy, adaptability and professionalism needed to help us deliver the very best Junior courses. The work is fast-paced and demanding, but it is also deeply rewarding, fuelled by teamwork, shared purpose, and the satisfaction of making a real impact on students' lives.

Working with us isn't just a summer job; it's a chance to grow. You'll leave with valuable transferable skills in leadership, communication, problem-solving, safeguarding, and cross-cultural teamwork. The experience is a strong foundation for careers in teaching, education, youth work, management, events, tourism and more. We value our returning staff with bonuses and development opportunities, and we foster a community where people build confidence, networks and friendships. Expect responsibility, challenge, and plenty of fun plus references and experience that genuinely open doors.

For experienced managers, our programmes offer the chance to lead diverse teams, run complex operations, and uphold high standards in a fast-moving, multicultural environment. You'll shape your centre's culture, influence student experience on a large scale, and strengthen strategic decision-making under real-world pressure. Many managers return year after year, progressing into senior seasonal or year-round roles. It's a role that builds resilience, credibility, and a leadership track record that stands out in any career.

Job Description

To take responsibility for the overall success of the course. Ensure that lessons and the leisure programme are delivered in accordance with St Giles criteria to the maximum benefit of students. The Centre Manager is the face of the centre and ultimately the face of St Giles International and must be able to inspire both staff and students, leading by example with a clear and effective management style.

Duties

• Set up and Close down:
• Attend the pre-course training.
• Ensure all team members are adequately briefed and work timetables are allocated.
• Set up and pack away all resources and monitor usage, reporting any missing or damaged materials.
• Conduct pre-course and post-course damage itinerary with the representative from the host institution.
• Ensure that the host institution is set up and prepared for the students' arrival.
• Centre:
• Oversee and direct the academic and social programme.
• Liaise with the host representative to ensure a smooth relationship.
• Ensure that all St Giles rules, procedures and directives are understood and followed in full, both by yourself and your staff.
• Supervise centre finances and ensure the profitability of the course, by ensuring that all money, credit cards and documents are stored safely and securely.
• Maintain accurate accounts and ensure the financial success of the family course, controlling expenditure to within agreed budgets, monitoring class ratios, leisure costs, managing petty cash, and reconciling expenditure at the end of the week/course.
• Staff:
• Lead a dedicated teaching and programme support team who will work to St Giles standards.
• Conduct staff meetings; carry out necessary training and appraisals reporting any related issues to the Regional Operations Manager/Director of Juniors.
• Monitor staff working hours, produce staff schedules.
• Ensure adequate levels of staffing throughout the course; supervising the leisure programme, teaching and pastoral duties as required.
• Making staff available for other centres or duties as directed by the Directors.
• Students:
• Welcome students and parents on the first day, introducing the team and explaining the academic and leisure programme.
• Ensure students are in the correct class and level.
• Ensure placement tests are carried out for all children aged 11 and above and adjust classes accordingly.
• Ensure that staff and students have a clear understanding of staff roles, school rules in the form of the St Giles Juniors Discipline Policy and areas that are out of bounds.
• Ensure that both students and staff understand the daily routine and make sure this runs like clockwork. Be present at integral parts of the day: greeting the parents, lunch, city tours while out on an excursion.
• Continuously check every single student and parent is satisfied with their course; tailor the programme (while staying within budget) when necessary to ensure maximum customer satisfaction.
• Day-to-day:
• Manage the course daily- monitoring the performance of the St Giles team as well as the satisfaction levels of the students (through End of Week One Questionnaires, End-of Course Questionnaires and by talking to students and parents regularly).
• Appropriately handle welfare and disciplinary issues during the course including student illness and staff issues.
• Ensure the safety and welfare of the students at all times, liaising with the Regional Operations Manager/Director as appropriate.
• Take overall responsibility for disciplinary matters in line with the policy and in consultation with the Director where necessary.
• Safeguarding:
• Responsible for all on-site safeguarding.
• A Log must be kept of safeguarding and welfare incidents. All incidents to be reported to the designated safeguarding lead: Co-Director of Juniors: Max Conde Round and Louisa Adams.
• Other:
• Meet with the Director and/or Regional Operations Manager each week and provide a full briefing on the centre and the staff.
• All other reasonable requests.

Qualifications and Experience:

• A Cambridge CELTA or equivalent.
• A Cambridge DELTA, MA TESOL, MA ESL or equivalent (preferable).
• A first degree (preferable).
• Experience of managing/supervising a team.
• Experience of managing budgets (preferable).
• Experience of working with children and teenagers.

Requirements of the Job:

• Attendance at online management staff development course.
• Attendance for the length of the contract on six days per week.
• Enhanced DBS check (paid for by St Giles Juniors).
• First aid trained (paid for by St Giles Juniors).

Salary and working hours:

• Non-residential (Brighton): Between £735 - £751 per week plus accrued holiday pay. The higher pay rate is for employees who hold a DELTA or equivalent qualification.
• Residential (Cambridge and Canterbury): £858.50 per week, full board accommodation on site included. Plus, accrued holiday pay.
• Usual working hours are 8.30am 5.30pm Monday to Saturday.

Returnees:

At the end of the successful completion of their contract, returnees will receive a bonus based on the number of consecutive summer seasons they have been employed by St Giles Juniors since 2023.

• 3 or more summers (2023, 2024, 2025) - £180.
• 2 Summers (2024 and 2025) - £120.
• 1 Summer (2025) - £60.

Course location and dates:

The St Giles Brighton Juniors and Family Course programmes are based at various locations, including Brighton (non-residential), Cambridge and Canterbury (residential). Courses typically run from 21st June to 9th August (depending on the centre).

Induction and training:

On site induction will take place on the following dates:

• Brighton Centre Manager: Wednesday 17th and Thursday 18th June (London).
• Canterbury and Cambridge Centre Managers: Wednesday 1st and Thursday 2nd July (London).

St Giles Juniors is committed to a safer recruitment policy that requires all applications to provide a full and up-to-date work and education history. You will be asked to explain any gaps in your CV. You should provide the contact details of at least 2 referees. Referees will be asked specifically whether there is any reason that you should not be employed in situations where you have responsibility for under 18s. Conditional offers are also subject to an enhanced check through the Disclosure and Barring Service and/or a police 'certificate of good conduct' from country of residence.