Centre Director

Bayswater Education; Brighton; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Bayswater Education Brighton seeks an experienced Centre Director to lead the centre's commercial, academic and welfare success. You will manage a talented team, drive enrolments, ensure safe and high-quality student experiences, and embed Bayswater's values across operations.

The role requires strong leadership, safeguarding knowledge, and a drive to grow the centre within a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. UK work eligibility and enhanced safeguarding awareness are essential.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in senior leadership, ideally within education or student-focused services.
• Strong project management and change management skills.
• Excellent people management experience, able to inspire and build strong teams.
• Commercial awareness and experience working to financial or enrolment targets.
• Knowledge of safeguarding best practice and welfare management.
• Outstanding organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• A collaborative, resilient, and solutions-focused mindset.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the efficient, effective, and profitable operation of the centre.
• Lead the development and execution of strategic plans across commercial, academic, and operational areas including accommodation.
• Guide the centre through its transition and relocation, embedding best practice in change management.
• Maintain accreditations such as British Council and uphold Bayswater's reputation for quality.
• Collaborate with senior leaders across the network to share ideas and drive growth.
• Identify and develop local business opportunities to drive enrolments and revenue.
• Build strong relationships with agents, partners, and the local community.
• Maximise conversions from walk-ins and direct enquiries.
• Work with Sales and Marketing teams to support the development of an effective pricing strategy aligned with market dynamics.
• Develop and maintain a strong online presence for your centre (social media, google etc).
• Support sales by ensuring all agent visits showcase Bayswater's strengths
• Ensure the school environment is safe, welcoming, and compliant.
• Drive excellence in customer service and ensure every student receives a life-changing experience.
• Champion Bayswater's values and promises, embedding them into daily practice.
• Oversee accommodation strategy and delivery.
• Support vibrant student experiences through activities, events, and cultural engagement.
• Lead, support, and develop a diverse, high-performing team.
• Promote a values-driven, inclusive, and positive workplace.
• Ensure safer recruitment and ongoing training in safeguarding and welfare.
• Provide CPD opportunities and nurture a culture of continuous improvement.
• Work closely with the Director of Studies to deliver outstanding teaching and learning.
• Monitor student progress, attendance, and satisfaction.
• Ensure high academic standards, including Global Skills delivery.
• Support the growth of non-EFL products such as Professional Courses, Career Preparation, and Study Abroad.

Skills

Senior leadership

Strategic planning

People management

Commercial awareness

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Experience in education leadership

Job description

Bayswater Education is a vibrant network of global centres with over 75 years of experience inspiring people through life-changing educational and travel experiences. We're passionate about growing communities of global thinkers and explorers, at home and abroad - whatever their story. We're not just reimagining education; we're helping transform it. Our mission is to provide young people, locally and globally, with life-changing experiences and opportunities to broaden their horizons, develop new skills and cultivate a social conscience. We are looking for an experienced, commercially minded and people-focused Centre Director to lead our Bayswater Brighton centre. This is a key leadership role with overall responsibility for the commercial, operational, academic and welfare success of the centre. You will lead a talented team, create an exceptional experience for our students and ensure the centre operates efficiently, safely and successfully. We are looking for someone who combines strong operational leadership with a sales and customer-focused mindset. You will be comfortable working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment, taking ownership, solving problems and collaborating across teams to identify opportunities for growth and continuous improvement.

Strategy & Leadership

• Oversee the efficient, effective, and profitable operation of the centre.
• Lead the development and execution of strategic plans across commercial, academic, and operational areas including accommodation.
• Guide the centre through its transition and relocation, embedding best practice in change management.
• Maintain accreditations such as British Council and uphold Bayswater's reputation for quality.
• Collaborate with senior leaders across the network to share ideas and drive growth.

Sales, Marketing & Profile Raising

• Identify and develop local business opportunities to drive enrolments and revenue.
• Build strong relationships with agents, partners, and the local community.
• Maximise conversions from walk-ins and direct enquiries.
• Work with Sales and Marketing teams to support the development of an effective pricing strategy aligned with market dynamics.
• Develop and maintain a strong online presence for your centre (social media, google etc).
• Support sales by ensuring all agent visits showcase Bayswater's strengths

Operations & Student Experience

• Ensure the school environment is safe, welcoming, and compliant.
• Drive excellence in customer service and ensure every student receives a life-changing experience.
• Champion Bayswater's values and promises, embedding them into daily practice.
• Oversee accommodation strategy and delivery.
• Support vibrant student experiences through activities, events, and cultural engagement.

People & Culture

• Lead, support, and develop a diverse, high-performing team.
• Promote a values-driven, inclusive, and positive workplace.
• Ensure safer recruitment and ongoing training in safeguarding and welfare.
• Provide CPD opportunities and nurture a culture of continuous improvement.

Academic Excellence

• Work closely with the Director of Studies to deliver outstanding teaching and learning.
• Monitor student progress, attendance, and satisfaction.
• Ensure high academic standards, including Global Skills delivery.
• Support the growth of non-EFL products such as Professional Courses, Career Preparation, and Study Abroad.

Safeguarding

The Centre Director is the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for the centre. You will be responsible for ensuring safeguarding is not only compliant but is embedded into the culture of the school.

Legal Requirements

• Eligibility to live and work in the UK.
• Enhanced DBS Disclosure (safeguarding requirement).
• Commitment to completing safeguarding training at the start of employment.

Requirements

• Proven experience in senior leadership, ideally within education or student-focused services.
• Strong project management and change management skills.
• Excellent people management experience, able to inspire and build strong teams.
• Commercial awareness and experience working to financial or enrolment targets.
• Knowledge of safeguarding best practice and welfare management.
• Outstanding organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• A collaborative, resilient, and solutions-focused mindset.

Bayswater is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Bayswater is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

As part of our Safer Recruitment Policy you will be asked to explain any gaps in your work and education history. You will also be required to undergo a DBS Enhanced Disclosure check and provide the contact details of at least 2 referees, who will be asked specifically if they have any concerns about your suitability to work with people under 18.

Evidence of eligibility to work in the UK must be provided at interview stage.

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