Operations Manager - UK and Ireland

Move Language Ahead; Hoddesdon; Remote; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international education company seeks an Operations Manager to support program operations in the UK. This full-time role involves building relationships with educational institutions, managing bookings, and ensuring compliance with standards. The ideal candidate has an undergraduate degree or relevant experience, along with strong communication and organizational skills. The position offers a competitive salary and is primarily remote.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Performance-based bonus scheme

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in the Junior ESL sector.
• Ability to represent the company professionally.

Responsibilities

• Build strong relationships with college conference managers.
• Coordinate job postings to attract qualified candidates.
• Manage bookings and organize timetables.

Skills

Excellent communication (verbal and written)

Organization

Attention to detail

Superior relationship building

Self-motivation

Multi-tasking

Composure under pressure

Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel

Education

Undergraduate degree or 3 years of experience in ESL

Job description

COMPANY

For more than 50 years, MLA World has been bringing cultures together through education and world travel. We are a company dedicated to encouraging the growth of global citizens through English language learning abroad and safe, culturally immersive youth programming. With travel and education at the forefront of our mission, MLA’s work culture is always exciting and full of change. We are an international team that loves sharing culture, stories of travel, and a passion for working with young people and enlarging their perspectives on the world.

COMPANY MISSION STATEMENT

MLA – Move Language Ahead, trading as Go Languages Worldwide Ltd is an industry leader committed to providing premier international study abroad programs that ensure the highest levels of safety, education, and cultural immersion. We design and deliver high-quality residential language experiences for students aged 11–17 across the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, and Italy.

LOCATION

This is a remote position requiring you to work from home, with a reliable high-speed internet connection and mobile phone service. We prefer candidates based in the United Kingdom, though this is not essential.

SCHEDULE

This is a full-time, 44-hour-a-week position. Working in the education travel industry, a flexible schedule to meet operational demands is required, especially during the summer high season. This could mean additional work hours to include weekends or evenings when necessary.

TRAVEL

You will be expected to support program operations across the United Kingdom, Ireland, and at the head office in Italy.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE

As the Operations Manager, you should hold an undergraduate degree or have at least three (3) years of experience in the Junior English as a Second Language (ESL) sector, specifically within residential spring and summer schools. You are also expected to embody and promote MLA values, serving as a positive role model for colleagues, customers, and business partners while representing the company with professionalism.

Required skills include:

• Excellent communication (verbal and written); organization, and attention to detail
• Superior relationship building
• Self-motivation
• Multi-tasking
• Ability to maintain organisation of business contacts (companies, contact names, email address, and phone numbers)
• Composure while working under pressure
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel
• Ability to uphold professionalism and cooperate appropriately with all business stakeholders including fellow employees, vendors, and guests

The candidate must

• Hold a valid UK passport or possess the legal right to work in the UK.
• Successfully complete an Enhanced DBS check (or the international equivalent, if applicable).

KEY POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES

Client Relations

• Build and maintain strong relationships with college and university conference managers.
• Develop and sustain partnerships with industry influencers and key suppliers, including attractions and transportation providers.
• Ensuring a consistent corporate image is represented across all product lines, promotional materials, and events.

Recruitment

• Support the creation and updating of job descriptions for all UK operations roles.
• Coordinate the posting and distribution of job advertisements to attract a qualified pool of candidates.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date applicant records in the MLA applicant tracking system.
• Assist with the recruitment, selection, and onboarding of UK operations employees.

Operational Tasks

• Manage bookings, organize timetables, and coordinate attractions and transportation.
• Support accreditation processes by preparing documentation and ensuring compliance with required standards.

Financial Responsibilities

• Assist with the contracting, booking, confirmation, and payment of excursions and transportation services.
• Manage receipt collection and oversee the bi-weekly reconciliation of employee corporate credit and/or debit cards.
• Support company with petty cash, reconciliation.
• Assist with bookkeeping duties to ensure accurate financial records are maintained.

Training

• Assist in planning and coordinating training for all UK operations positions.
• Oversee the collection and verification of required employment documentation to ensure compliance with all relevant local and national legislation.
• Contribute recommendations for content development in the MLA employee handbook.

Supervisory

• Support staffing, training, and performance evaluations to ensure consistency across operations programs.
• Act as a liaison between the UK operations team and other departments within the company.

Other duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

COMPENSATION

We offer a competitive salary package reflective of experience, along with a performance-based bonus scheme directly linked to client satisfaction.

EQUALITY STATEMENT

MLA is committed to achieving equality for all those who learn and work here and wishes to develop a demonstrably fair and supportive environment which provides equality of opportunity and freedom from unlawful discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, gender, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, disability, including mental health difficulties, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, social class or offending history. We are proud of our diverse community and wish to encourage and celebrate its full contribution to a work life where all colleagues are treated equally and with respect.