Centre Director

overview

As the Centre Manager, you will be directly responsible for the effective and safe running of your centre.

The academic, welfare and activity teams will all look to you for leadership and you should make sure these teams all feel motivated and prepared to fulfil their roles.

You will be the face of the centre, key to making sure our group leaders and students feel listened to, supported and in safe hands.

job

Working as a centre manager in a summer school is perhaps one of the most challenging but rewarding ways to spend your summer! It can feel like spinning plates at times; in between making sure the academic and activity programmes are running, staying on top of any welfare concerns together with keeping our fantastic host school and group leaders happy, there is always something demanding your attention! But it is all worth it when a group is sad to leave and you know that they have had an amazing experience.

,

details

job

Key responsibilities:

You will be the person everyone looks to for guidance and support; the tone you set is what everyone else should follow.

You’ll be expected to:

Be active and visible around campus, constantly checking in with Dusemond staff, leaders, students and the school.
Act on feedback as necessary
Perform regular staff meetings and have fluid communication with your management team
Perform regular Group Leader meetings to make sure everyone staying with us fully understands the programme and the logistics of each day
Make sure all our Dusemond staff feel valued, supported and listened to.

Leadership:

Full Board

Accommodation and meals provided throughout your contract

Salary

£850 per week with performance related bonuses available

Holiday Pay

12.07% holiday pay will be added to your salary.

Travel Allowance

£30 one off payment to help towards the cost of travel to and from the centre.

Working Hours

Up to 44 hours per week based on 6 working days.

Reporting to

Academic Manager.

Locations

York, Uppingham, Edinburgh, Rugby, Bedales & Cheltenham.

Available Contract Dates

Temporary - July 2025

Pre-joining training dates

Staff are required to attend 2 x paid training days in advance of joining any programme.

As Centre Manager, your first major responsibility is overseeing the arrival of our students and organising their transfer to the school. First impressions are everything, and a smooth arrival day is crucial in setting the tone for the coming two week stay.

You’ll be expected to:

Welcome groups to campus and reassure them they are in safe hands after their long journey
Make sure all students receive their first meal as planned
Ensure all accommodation is prepared on schedule by liaising with the school residences team, and that the rooming list is being followed diligently
Deal with any initial concerns held by our Group Leaders as quickly as possible

Arrivals

You will be responsible for the centre finances. Dusemond Head Office will be there to sign off on any big changes, but you need to ensure your teams are running their departments effectively and that any necessary payments from groups and taken during their stay.

Does your activity manager now only need 4 coaches instead of 5?
Does that London Eye booking need to be for 200 people when only 80 are now going?
Did you remember to cancel the hot meals in time for the group that has now decided to go out for dinner instead?
Do we need to charge a group because one of their students broke a mirror in the accommodation?

These are all things that can add up during a course of a centre.

Finances

Key Performance Indicators

High rates of positive client feedback
High rates of positive staff motivation and satisfaction
A good relationship with our host school; one of mutual respect and support
Financial margins are maintained

eligibility

your

You must

be over 18 years of age
be eligible to work in the UK
get an enhanced DBS check**

You should

have considerable existing summer school and management experience
have experience working with children
have considerable client-facing experience
be a natural leader and role model
be technically literate and able to use our database and Microsoft Office

It's a plus if

You're a first aider

* Salaries correct as of Sept 2024 and might change in 2025

** Dusemond will assist applicants in obtaining an enhanced DBS

check and cover the cost.

Group Leader Socials

You will hold various social events for our Group Leaders, such as afternoon tea and wine and cheese

Local community awareness

Many of our schools are located in residential areas - are we causing any issues for the locals?

Community & pastoral Care

Everyone is responsible for our students safeguarding

Working for Dusemond means:

Lasting Friendships

Our staff build close friendships and camaraderie that often lasts well beyond the end of our programmes, with the chance to be re-united the next season!

Career progression

If you thrive in the amazing environments we work so hard to create, you’ll want to grow with us. Many first year staff return to become supervisors and managers.

References Provided

The broad range of skillsets required, make Dusemond centres excellent places to develop and substantiate your abilities for future roles.

Year-round opportunities

Flexible, on and off season opportunities in great places from York to Tuscany! Our best teachers and ALs are first in line to be offered!

Full Board

Switch “cost of living” for Costa Coffee! Our programmes are a great opportunity to work and save as all your meals and accommodation are provided on site.

Location, location location!

Beautiful, historic schools and great facilities like gyms and swimming pools for you to use, make your place of work a a pleasure to live in.

Materials & equipment

Everything you’ll need to do a great job is provided, along with the support and input of senior staff to help you excel in your role.