Year‑Round Homestay Operations Leader

EF Language Schools; Carisbrooke; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full training

Professional development

Year‑round management role

Job summary

EF Language Schools is seeking a hands‑on Homestay Manager to own and develop the year‑round homestay operation in our destination. You will recruit and support hosts, plan accommodation capacity, place students in safe and welcoming homes, and drive quality through safeguarding compliance.

You'll manage the summer peak, coordinate with Welfare and Operations teams, and deliver calm, effective decisions in complex situations.

Qualifications

• Experience managing an operational service with responsibility for quality and delivery.
• Strong customer-service skills with the ability to handle sensitive conversations professionally.
• Ability to recruit, comply, allocate and meet competing deadlines.
• Excellent attention to detail, especially safeguarding information and student needs.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the destination's homestay operation and its performance throughout the year.
• Turn student forecasts and booking patterns into host recruitment, capacity and allocation plans.
• Develop and deliver a local host recruitment and retention plan through community outreach, referrals, events, partnerships and online channels.
• Build relationships with new and returning hosts, ensuring they feel informed, supported and valued.
• Oversee host applications, screening, visits, checks, approvals and record keeping.
• Match and allocate students to suitable hosts, considering welfare needs and other information.
• Maintain accurate student, host, placement and arrival data across internal systems.
• Work with Welfare, Transport, Student Services, Finance, international offices and Operations team.
• Work within budget and keep Operations Manager informed of progress and risks.
• Lead day-to-day homestay operation during summer and act as senior contact for hosts and students.
• Oversee late placements, accommodation changes and emergency moves; make calm decisions.
• Lead response to complaints and safeguarding concerns, escalating as needed.
• Monitor feedback and contribute to post-summer review and planning.

Skills

Operational management

Stakeholder relations

Customer service

Recruitment & compliance

Welfare safeguarding

Budgeting

Attention to detail

Calm under pressure

Job description

EF Language Schools is seeking a hands‑on Homestay Manager to own and develop the year‑round homestay operation in our destination. You will recruit and support hosts, plan accommodation capacity, place students in safe and welcoming homes, and drive quality through safeguarding compliance.

You'll manage the summer peak, coordinate with Welfare and Operations teams, and deliver calm, effective decisions in complex situations.