Center Director

Jobless; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

ELS in Cleveland, Ohio is seeking a Center Director to lead daily operations and oversee a center serving international students. You will guide a talented team, partner with university partners, and foster an environment where students and staff thrive.

The role combines business leadership, community representation, and student advocacy. You will manage the budget, monitor KPIs, and drive growth while ensuring compliance and a culture of quality.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for daily operations.
• Hire, coach, mentor, and develop a high-performing team.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, student-centered culture.
• Drive accountability and continuous improvement.
• Create a welcoming environment for international students.
• Support student engagement, retention, and success.
• Partner with the Academic Director to ensure educational excellence.
• Resolve student concerns with professionalism and empathy.
• Serve as the primary liaison with university partners.
• Develop relationships with referral partners, landlords, and community organizations.
• Represent ELS in the local community.
• Own the center budget and financial performance.
• Monitor KPIs, enrollment, revenue, and expenses.
• Identify opportunities for growth and operational efficiency.
• Maintain compliance with company policies and regulations.
• Oversee center appearance, safety, reporting, and audits.
• Promote a culture of quality and continuous improvement.
• Engaged students

Job description

Role: Center Director

Reports to: Regional Director of Operations

Employment Status: Full-Time

Location: Cleveland, Ohio

Job Description

Every year, students from around the world arrive in the United States to improve their English, prepare for university, and pursue life-changing opportunities. As Center Director, you'll be the leader who creates that experience. This role combines the responsibilities of a business leader, community ambassador, operations executive, and student advocate. You'll lead a talented team, oversee center operations, build relationships with university partners, and create an environment where students and employees thrive.

Job Duties

The duties of this position include, but are not limited to:

Lead the Center

• Provide overall leadership for daily operations.
• Hire, coach, mentor, and develop a high-performing team.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, student-centered culture.
• Drive accountability and continuous improvement.

Deliver an Outstanding Student Experience

• Create a welcoming environment for international students.
• Support student engagement, retention, and success.
• Partner with the Academic Director to ensure educational excellence.
• Resolve student concerns with professionalism and empathy.

Build Strategic Relationships

• Serve as the primary liaison with university partners.
• Develop relationships with referral partners, landlords, and community organizations.
• Represent ELS in the local community.

Run the Business

• Own the center budget and financial performance.
• Monitor KPIs, enrollment, revenue, and expenses.
• Identify opportunities for growth and operational efficiency.

Ensure Operational Excellence

• Maintain compliance with company policies and regulations.
• Oversee center appearance, safety, reporting, and audits.
• Promote a culture of quality and continuous improvement.

What Success Looks Like

• Engaged students