Lead strategic, operational, academic and financial management of an international education centre. Oversee academic delivery, student experience, university partnerships, P&L, compliance (OfS, UKVI, QAA), staff performance, product development, and continuous improvement. Represent the School externally, manage budgets, drive revenue and efficiencies, and ensure regulatory readiness and safeguarding.
Job purpose
The Centre Director is a pivotal role providing strategic, operational, and academic leadership at a OIEG’s school of international education. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will be accountable for delivering outstanding academic outcomes, ensuring an exceptional student experience as well as achieving the financial objectives of the school and the division, including making any operational efficiencies as appropriate.
The Centre Director is a pivotal role providing strategic, operational, and academic leadership at a OIEG’s school of international education. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will be accountable for delivering outstanding academic outcomes, ensuring an exceptional student experience as well as achieving the financial objectives of the school and the division, including making any operational efficiencies as appropriate.
As Centre Director, you will lead the end-to-end management of your assigned school, encompassing academic delivery, student support services, staff performance, financial sustainability, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement. You will foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and inclusivity, working closely with internal teams, university partners, and external stakeholders.
This is a high-impact leadership role that requires a results-driven, collaborative, and visionary individual with a strong track record in higher education management, academic excellence, and transformational leadership.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership and Management
- Provide visionary leadership and direction for the School in alignment with Oxford International’s mission, values and strategic priorities
- Lead the development and execution of the division’s strategic and operational plans to drive academic and commercial success.
- Ensure the effective day-to-day management of the School in line with the Collaboration Agreement with the University Partner and other governing frameworks.
- Inspire and lead a high-performing leadership team, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Academic and Student Experience Oversight
- Oversee the delivery of high-quality academic programmes and an excellent student experience.
- Drive performance against key academic KPI’s as outlined in the Agreement with the university around student attendance, satisfaction, completion, and progression.
University Partner Relationship Management
- Serve as the operational lead and key liaison with the partner university, fostering strong, collaborative relationships.
- Proactively manage expectations and partnership dynamics, ensuring School operations remain aligned with the university’s academic and strategic objectives.
- Represent the School at senior university committees and partnership boards.
Financial and Commercial Accountability
- Own and manage the School's Profit & Loss (P&L). Ensuring the costs of the School are adjusted in line with changing size of the student demographic driven by dynamic market conditions to ensure profitability.
- Develop and monitor budgets, ensure financial targets are met, and manage resources effectively.
- Identify and implement opportunities for revenue growth and operational efficiency.
- Collaborate with finance teams to implement effective strategies for reducing debt levels.
Product Development and Innovation
- Collaborate with internal (central recruitment, marketing, admissions, pre-arrival and academic teams) and external stakeholders to innovate and expand the School’s educational offerings.
- Drive the implementation of new academic programmes and products into the university partnership in response to market demand and strategic priorities.
Compliance and Quality Assurance
- Ensure compliance with all regulatory, contractual, accreditation and institutional requirements across School operations.
- Ensure full compliance with partner university requirements, accreditation bodies, legal obligations, and relevant sector regulation (e.g., OfS, UKVI).
- Prepare for and respond to external audits, inspections, and reviews from regulatory bodies and university partners.
- Maintain accurate records and reports for governance purposes and ensure robust reporting to the Managing Director.
- Work with the central compliance team to coordinate risk management and data protection practices.
Team Leadership and Development
- Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing team across academic, administrative, and support functions.
- Foster a culture of inclusivity, performance, and professional growth.
- Identify and address staff training needs ensuring staff retention and progression.
Person Specifications
Person specification
A dynamic and experienced leader with a proven track record of strategic and operational management in a complex educational environment. You will demonstrate strong leadership, commercial, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills, along with a commitment to academic and operational excellence as well as organisational development. The role requires a collaborative, resilient, and solutions-focused approach, capable of balancing hands-on school leadership with divisional oversight.
Statutory requirements
Statutory requirements
- Eligibility to live and work in the UK without restriction
- Willingness to undergo an Access NI check, or an overseas equivalent where applicable
Qualifications
- A first degree (Honours) or equivalent professional qualification, or substantial relevant experience demonstrating graduate-level capability
- A postgraduate qualification in education, management or relevant discipline
- A recognised teaching qualification such as a PGCertEd (HE), or equivalent; or Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) or SFHEA (Desirable)
- Relevant professional qualification(s) aligned to education or management practice (Desirable)
- Evidence of up-to-date safeguarding training appropriate to the role and responsibilities (Desirable)
Experience and knowledge
- Proven senior leadership experience within the higher or further education sector
- Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams across academic and support functions
- Experience of working in partnership with UK universities or transnational education providers
- Experience overseeing compliance with academic and regulatory frameworks (e.g., OfS, UKVI, QAA)
- Working knowledge of HR procedures consistent with the needs of a school.
- Experience of budget management; forecasting, and overall P&L Ownership
- Strong working knowledge of UKVI regulations and compliance requirements relevant to international student recruitment and visa sponsorship (Desirable)
- Proven contribution to sales, marketing, or student recruitment initiatives within an educational context (Desirable)
- Experience working within a commercially driven or private education provider environment (Desirable)
Skills
- Exceptional leadership, team development, and motivational skills Strong understanding of UK higher education policy, academic quality assurance, and student outcomes
- Skilled in building and sustaining strategic relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- High-level problem-solving and decision-making capability in complex environments
- Ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced target driven service focused environment.
- Ability to lead performance improvement across the institution and division
- Adopt an innovative approach to finding solutions and adding value
- Knowledge of safeguarding, data protection (including GDPR), and risk management practices
- Demonstrable commercial acumen, with the ability to balance educational priorities with business objectives (Desirable)
- Familiarity with international student recruitment processes and progression pathway models within higher education (Desirable
Personal qualities
- Empathy with international students and an understanding of their needs
- Resilient, adaptable, and outcomes-driven with a strong sense of accountability
- Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and student success
- Integrity and a highly professional approach to work
- Able to build strong relationships with people internally and externally at all levels of seniority.
- Willingness to travel between sites and work flexibly as needed
Disclaimer
This job description is provided as a guide to the role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive description of duties and responsibilities and may be subject to periodic revision.
Oxford International is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and Access NI, as this job involves working with children. This role meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders(NI) Order 1978.
Oxford International is an equal-opportunity employer. Every applicant and employee has the same opportunities regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, veteran status or religion belief or political opinion.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date should we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We therefore encourage interested candidates to apply as early as possible.
About
Oxford International Education Group is a renowned institution dedicated to providing exceptional educational experiences to international students. With a global presence and a commitment to academic excellence, we strive to empower students to achieve their full potential and thrive in a dynamic, interconnected world. We are proud of our culture and have recently been officially certified as a Great Place to Work ©!
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