Performance Manager

Explore Learning; Guildford; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational organization is seeking a Performance Manager to oversee multiple centres in the UK. This role focuses on driving growth and performance while leading and empowering Centre Managers. Candidates should have prior experience as Regional or Area Managers, along with strong analytical and coaching skills. This full-time position allows for a hybrid working model and offers competitive compensation of £50k-55k, along with various employee perks. A commitment to exceptional educational leadership is essential.

Benefits

22 flexible annual leave days

3 additional paid days for personal celebrations

Staff discounts on memberships

Private health insurance after 1 year

Fully subsidised tuition for staff children

Qualifications

• Experience as a Regional Manager or Area Manager.
• Ability to use data for decision-making.
• Strong coaching and people management skills.

Responsibilities

• Own the growth and profitability of multiple centres.
• Develop and coach Centre Managers.
• Promote operational compliance and align activities with business goals.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Performance ownership

Inspiring leadership

Adaptability

Strong relationship-building

Clear communication

Job description

Why Explore Learning?

At Explore Learning, we know remarkable things happen when great leaders inspire others to realise their potential. Our centres thrive on confidence, curiosity and continuous growth and we’re searching for a Performance Manager who can champion that spirit across a group of Explore Learning centres.

In this pivotal role, you’ll be a leader of leaders : commercially driven, people-focused, and excited to unlock and sustain outstanding performance. You’ll elevate operational excellence and customer experience, build consistency and confidence within your teams, and develop Centre Managers who feel empowered to own their results. Most importantly, you’ll embody Explore Learning’s values in everything you do - showing up every day with the belief that bold, fearless learning starts with exceptional leadership.

The Role

Key Responsibilities

• Own the growth , success and profitability of a group of centres.
• Use data to rapidly diagnose issues, prioritise actions, and make informed, timely decisions.
• Develop, coach and empower Centre Managers, creating actionable growth plans, consistently role-modelling Explore’s values and leadership behaviours.
• Inspire, challenge and engage centre teams to deliver exceptional results in a dynamic environment.
• Build trust , psychological safety and a high-performing culture.
• Promote operational compliance and align daily activity with long-term business goals.

Core Skills & Behaviours

• Strategic thinking and alignment to business priorities
• Performance ownership, accountability and analytical decision-making
• Inspiring leadership and effective coaching
• Adaptability , resilience and problem-solving
• Strong relationship-building
• Clear and confident communication

We invite candidates with previous Regional manager / area manager experience to apply for this role.

The performance manager role will have 1 of 2 focuses;

Hypercare

As a Hypercare performance manager, you will focus on turning around performance of a smaller group of centres to allow for deep targeted support.

Accelerate

As an Accelerate performance manager, you will focus on centres which are performing near or at potential to unlock further growth across a larger group of centres.

Logistics

Location: Hybrid - The role is field based and will require regular weekly travel to various centres across the UK combined with weekly working from home time.

Job Type: Both permanent and fixed term roles are available. Full time Monday - Friday.

Salary: £50-55k

Start date : Quarter 1 2026

Specific centre locations within your group will be confirmed at the start of your role but will be changed on a regular basis, based on performance achievement and priorities.

Please note: Proof of eligibility to work in the UK will be required. Unfortunately we are not able to offer any form of sponsorship.

Additional Perks

• Enjoy 22 flexible annual leave days (pro rata) + bank holidays + 4 gifted days when centres are closed at Christmas.
• You’ll have an additional 3 paid days you can take for a personal or religious celebration, wellbeing or a volunteer day.
• You'll also receive additional holiday time based on your length of service.
• Benefit from staff discounts including gym memberships and sportswear, free 16-25 or 26-30 railcard, free counselling services, access to My Possible Self (a wellbeing app), a cycle to work scheme, and a discounted Tastecard.
• An additional length of service reward will give you access to private health insurance with Vitality.
• We offer fully subsidised tuition for the children of all salaried staff and 50% off Explore Learning membership fees for all immediate relations of staff members.
• Take advantage of our referral bonus offering, payroll giving scheme, enhanced parental leave, and pension options.

All successful applicants will undertake employment reference checks, and a Disclosure & Barring Service check. Please note, this role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.