About this role
Job purpose The Centre Director is a pivotal role providing strategic, operational, and academic leadership at a OIEG’s school of international education. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will be accountable for delivering outstanding academic outcomes, ensuring an exceptional student experience as well as achieving the financial objectives of the school and the division, including making any operational efficiencies as appropriate. As Centre Director, you will lead the end-to-end management of your assigned school, encompassing academic delivery, student support services, staff performance, financial sustainability, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement. You will foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and inclusivity, working closely with internal teams, university partners, and external stakeholders. This is a high-impact leadership role that requires a results-driven, collaborative, and visionary individual with a strong track record in higher education management, academic excellence, and transformational leadership. Strategic Leadership and Management Provide visionary leadership and direction for the School in alignment with Oxford International’s mission, values and strategic priorities Lead the development and execution of the division’s strategic and operational plans to drive academic and commercial success. Ensure the effective day-to-day management of the School in line with the Collaboration Agreement with the University Partner and other governing frameworks. Inspire and lead a high-performing leadership team, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement. Academic and Student Experience Oversight Oversee the delivery of high-quality academic programmes and an excellent student experience. Drive performance against key academic KPI’s as outlined in the Agreement with the university around student attendance, satisfaction, completion, and progression. University Partner Relationship Management Serve as the operational lead and key liaison with the partner university, fostering strong, collaborative relationships. Proactively manage expectations and partnership dynamics, ensuring School operations remain aligned with the university’s academic and strategic objectives. Represent the School at senior university committees and partnership boards. Financial and Commercial Accountability Own and manage the School's Profit & Loss (P&L). Ensuring the costs of the School are adjusted in line with changing size of the student demographic driven by dynamic market conditions to ensure profitability. Develop and monitor budgets, ensure financial targets are met, and manage resources effectively. Identify and implement opportunities for revenue growth and operational efficiency. Collaborate with finance teams to implement effective strategies for reducing debt levels. Product Development and Innovation Collaborate with internal (central recruitment, marketing, admissions, pre-arrival and academic teams) and external stakeholders to innovate and expand the School’s educational offerings. Drive the implementation of new academic programmes and products into the university partnership in response to market demand and strategic priorities. Compliance and Quality Assurance Ensure compliance with all regulatory, contractual, accreditation and institutional requirements across School operations. Ensure full compliance with partner university requirements, accreditation bodies, legal obligations, and relevant sector regulation (e.g., OfS, UKVI). Prepare for and respond to external audits, inspections, and reviews from regulatory bodies and university partners. Maintain accurate records and reports for governance purposes and ensure robust reporting to the Managing Director. Work with the central compliance team to coordinate risk management and data protection practices. Team Leadership and Development Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing team across academic, administrative, and support functions. Foster a culture of inclusivity, performance, and professional growth. Identify and address staff training needs ensuring staff retention and progression.