Welcome to CLAN Language Schools Ltd. where learning English transcends the classroom and enriches lives worldwide. Established by a team with decades of collective experience in language education, CLAN Language Schools specialises in English language programmes designed specifically for young international learners aged 8 to 17.
We pride ourselves on building unique learning programmes that blend traditional English language teaching with engaging cultural immersions. Our year-round school is located in the heart of Scotland's most vibrant city, Edinburgh! We offer a unique blend of classroom learning and cultural immersion through our comprehensive Excursion/Activity programmes, alongside online English lessons that extend learning beyond geographical limits.
Purpose of the Role
We are seeking a Operations Manager to take full ownership of operational delivery across CLAN's year-round programmes, mini-group stays, and summer residential centre, in line with British Council and Accreditation UK requirements.
This is a senior, largely autonomous role reporting to the CEO on operations and to the Academic Operations Manager on academic matters. Operations is the primary focus — logistics, staffing, budgeting, safeguarding, and running centre delivery year-round, including weekend and group stays outside the summer season. Teaching and academic involvement are secondary: the postholder steps in on academic tasks (classroom cover, supporting observation cycles, assisting with timetabling) only when needed, not as a core deliverable. We are a small school; we need someone senior enough to run operations independently, not someone who needs a team built around them to do it.
During every residential programme, the Operations Manager becomes Centre Manager and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) — living on-site and holding full operational and welfare accountability for the duration of each programme cycle. Outside the peak seasons, the role also provides weekend support for individuals and mini-group stays as they occur throughout the year.
Responsibilities
- Coordinate planning, logistics, bookings, and resourcing for summer centres and year-round individual and mini-group stays
- Manage communication with suppliers, venues, host institutions, and partners
- Support the CEO with programme scheduling, operational planning, and resource allocation
- Monitor operational budgets and assist with cost tracking across key projects
- Prepare operational handbooks, policies, and staff training materials
- Provide administrative and operational support to the senior management team
- Drive recruitment of non-academic staff, assisting HR with compliance documentation and onboarding
- Ensure operational policies are kept up to date and compliant with British Council and Accreditation UK standards
- Act as Centre Manager (which may be residential) during peak periods: living on-site, overseeing daily operations, staff performance, and delivery quality for the full duration of each programme cycle
- Provide on-site or on-call weekend support for individuals and mini-group stays throughout the year, as scheduled
- Develop and lead social programmes, summer and year-round
- Act as DSL (Designated Safeguarding Lead)/DDSL (Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead) year-round, including out-of-hours emergency line response during residential periods and individual and mini-group weekend stays.
- Academic (as needed, in support of the Academic Operations Manager)
Assist with teacher recruitment, induction, and onboarding logistics
If qualified, step into classroom teaching or cover when operationally required (e.g. staff shortages, peak periods)
Support Academic Operations Manager with day-to-day logistics
Nice to have
- TEFL certification (e.g. CELTA or equivalent preferred) / DELTA, DipTESOL, or Master's in TESOL/Applied Linguistics — sufficient to cover classroom teaching when needed
- 5+ years' combined experience in ELT and operational leadership within multi-site or year-round operations
- Knowledge of Accreditation UK standards
- Safer Recruitment in ELT
- Specialist Safeguarding (Level 3)
- First Aid at Work (Level 3)
- Teacher training experience
Must Have
- Proven management experience in educational programme operations, including at least one full season as Centre Manager, Welfare Manager, or DSL/DDSL at a residential summer language school
- Demonstrated ability to operate independently, without a large supporting team, reporting into both operational (CEO) and academic (Academic Operations Manager) lines
- Comfortable with a working pattern that includes scheduled weekend duty year-round, not just during summer
- Strong leadership and staff management abilities, including managing seasonal/temporary staff
- Sound knowledge of safeguarding and welfare practice; comfortable acting as DSL/DDSL
- Excellent communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills
- Experience with budgeting and resource management
- Strong problem-solving and crisis-management abilities
- High level of computer literacy (MS Office, databases, email)
- Strong understanding of British Council and Accreditation UK compliance requirements
- Right to work in the UK
- Valid Enhanced DBS/PVG check (to be obtained through CLAN, if not already held)
Working Pattern & Residential Requirements
- Year-round term: standard on-site office hours at our Edinburgh base, working closely with the CEO and Academic Operations Manager, with the flexibility expected at this level of seniority.
- Individuals and Mini-group stays (year-round): outside the main summer season, CLAN also hosts individuals and shorter mini-group stays throughout the year. Weekend support — on-site presence or on-call availability, depending on the requirement — is a standard, scheduled part of this role for the duration of each stay. This is in addition to the standard working week, not occasional or exceptional.
- Summer residential period: the postholder lives on-site as Centre Manager for the full duration of each programme cycle, including on scheduled rest days — this is a live-in role for the summer season, not a commute-in one. On-site accommodation is provided. Rest periods and any rota support will be confirmed in the contract in line with UK Working Time Regulations.
- Emergency line duty: as DSL/DDSL, responding to the emergency line after 5pm and during weekend group stays is a core, expected part of the role — not overtime, and not optional.
- Compensation structure: this is a salaried position. The salary reflects the full scope of the role, including summer live-in duties, weekend mini-group support, and out-of-hours emergency-line response; it does not carry separate hourly overtime pay for time worked evenings or weekends. Punctual arrival and full attendance during core hours are expected as standard, year-round.
Personal Attributes
- Self-sufficient, decisive leadership style — comfortable owning outcomes without needing a large team to lean on
- Commitment to safeguarding, equality, and inclusion
- Analytical, proactive, and solutions-focused
- Comfortable taking direction from two reporting lines (CEO and Academic Operations Manager) as needed
- High professional standards and integrity
Safeguarding Statement
CLAN Language Schools is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare ofchildren and young people. All staff must share this commitment and undergoappropriate pre-employment checks, including Enhanced PVG clearance and verificationof identity and right to work.
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