Associate Director of Studies

EF Education First Gruppe; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A global education organization in Cambridge is seeking an Academic Manager to oversee course management, staff development, and student affairs. The ideal candidate will hold a DELTA qualification, possess excellent communication skills, and have a positive, energetic demeanor. Join a multicultural community and help shape the academic experience for students from around the world.

Benefits

Continuous professional development

Training and development opportunities

Warm and friendly working environment

Qualifications

• Energetic, positive, and motivated individual.
• Friendly and approachable manner with sensitivity to international students.
• Proven experience in staff management and decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Assist in managing the academic department and implement course programmes.
• Observe and assess teaching staff for development.
• Ensure appropriate timetabling to meet student needs.
• Conduct testing and provide academic induction for students.
• Act as head of department in the DoS' absence.

Skills

Highly motivated

Positive attitude

Excellent communication

Attention to detail

Team leadership

Education

DELTA qualified or equivalent

Job description

Are you looking to develop your academic career whilst gaining experience within a truly global organisation? Are you ready to take on ownership of a school’s academic mission? EF Cambridge invites you to take on this challenge in one of the UK’s most vibrant cities. This role begins in December 2025/January 2026.

EF Education First’s mission is opening the world through education. A career with EF combines the support and opportunity of a large international organisation, with the spirit and energy of a small business. We look for thinkers and doers – creative, collaborative, and motivated people who are excited by education, communication, and travel.

When you join EF, you join a multicultural and diverse community working across more than 600 schools and offices in 50 countries. In the UK and Ireland, our core presence is felt at our international language campuses and summer schools, where we welcome students from around the world to participate in language learning and cultural exchange. Whoever you are, whatever you are passionate about—we welcome you and encourage you to open the world through education.

Your Role

To assist in the management of the academic department and to implement the course programmes as planned. To have responsibility alongside the DoS for the academic management of a developing range of courses. To be part of the wider administrative and management team of the school, taking part in the planning and delivery of school-wide activities and events.

Responsibilities

• Assist with recruitment, training and development of teaching staff
• Observation of teaching staff for the purposes of assessment and development
• Ensure appropriate timetabling of students, teachers, courses and classrooms to meet the needs and expectations of students, and to achieve the course objectives
• Teach multilingual classes at a wide range of levels and course types
• Ensure attendance records are maintained and oversee sending of warning letters where necessary
• Organise and perform testing of students on intake days and deliver the academic induction talk
• Prepare and provide students with certificates upon completion of their course
• Provide necessary information and academic requests from students including advising students on exam applications
• Correspond with sales colleagues and other incoming queries
• Attend in-house meetings and EF central meetings on a regular basis/as required, and ensure effective communication of policies through academic staff meetings
• Assist with the creation of the CPD Syllabus
• Ensure that the CSA is consistently above the target for the financial year
• Hold weekly Teacher Meeting in DoS absence
• Organise EF book audits and order necessary quantity of books from the EF warehouse
• Work towards whole school goals/targets for KPIs and student satisfaction rates
• To comply with all health and safety regulations as directed by the Health and Safety Officer
• Be part of the mentoring team for long-term, academic year students
• Take part in an emergency on-call rota with other school staff
• Be a trained Fire Warden with assigned duties in the fire evacuation procedure
• Be a trained First Aider
• Assist the DoS in any other academic matters as requested
• Act as head of department in DoS’ absence

Requirements

• DELTA qualified or equivalent, or training towards attaining this
• Highly motivated, energetic, positive
• A flexible approach to work & hours of work undertaken is essential
• Friendly & approachable manner
• Sensitive to needs of international students
• Excellent communicator both with students, colleagues, and external clients
• Attention to detail, organised & thorough
• Team leadership & experience of staff management
• Decision making
• Able to work on own initiative
• Clear background check and two references
• Right to work in the UK

Why you will love EF Cambridge

• Continuous professional development for all staff
• Work in a truly international environment
• Ambition is nurtured and career enhancement opportunities are provided
• Staff are encouraged to innovate, take ownership of their ideas and bring them to fruition
• Training and development sponsorship opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program
• External trainings on safeguarding and mental health first aid
• Warm and friendly working environment
• ‘Being able to use a great educational product really enables me to develop students and really see their progress over time’
• ‘Able to meet, work with, train and develop a large number of interesting people from all walks of life’
• ‘ I have enjoyed the opportunity to forge my skills in a management position’
• ‘Fantastic international students and good customer service’

EF is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. References will be followed up and will ask specifically whether there is any reason that the applicant should not be engaged in situations where they have responsibility for, or substantial access to, persons under 18. Upon interview all gaps in CVs must be explained satisfactorily and proof of identity and, where applicable, qualifications will be required. Appropriate suitability checks will be required prior to confirmation of appointment.

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