UK RESIDENTIAL ACTIVITY MANAGER
Title: Activity Manager (Residential)
Job Type: Residential, Full-Time
Reports to: Centre Director
Dates: June 22nd to August 1st 2026 (Possibility of extension in some centres starting in June and/or finishing mid-August)
Country: United Kingdom
Location: London King’s, London Uxbridge, Reading, Guildford, Worcester, Dover, Oxford, Edinburgh
MISSION STATEMENT
Move Language Ahead is committed to providing industry leading safe, educational, and cultural programmes to students from around the world. Students, families, and agents from around the world have chosen MLA for the quality of our language courses, for the established trust of our brand, and for the meticulous attention to detail in our packages. The MLA formula for a summer centre is a unique blend of many full-day and half-day excursions, an amazing activity programme and specialised language path. In this way we have broken the barriers of the traditional summer language course.
MLA WELFARE AND SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT
MLA is committed to the welfare and safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk. All students should expect to feel safe within all areas of our seasonal programme. The primary concern at all times is the interests and safety of each student and the organisation takes all reasonable steps to protect children from harm, discrimination or degrading treatment and to uphold their rights.
MLA staff working with young learners will all go through our safer recruitment process including online or face‑to‑face interviews, record checks of references and background checks, in line with the country’s regulations, to ensure they are able to work with young people, provide evidence of qualifications and work experience as part of the process and according to our Safeguarding Policy, Preventing Sexual Harassment and Prevent Policy.
POSITION OVERVIEW
Responsible for the activity and excursion programme for international students and for the Activity Leaders.
- Full‑time summer employment from mid‑June – mid‑August
- Responsible for all aspects of the ESL summer camp programming, including off‑campus excursions and on‑campus activities
- Represent MLA values
- Reports to Centre Director and Operations Manager
- 6 working days per week
- 1 day off per week
- Residential employment includes all meals and accommodation
Possibility of extension in some centres (starting in June and/or finishing mid‑August)
The MLA Activity Manager is a senior position, and the successful candidate will be a member of the school’s management structure. You will be responsible for the Activity Leaders, you will reside on campus and promote the welfare of students and adhere to, and comply with the MLA Safeguarding Policy. Your responsibilities include organising all the activities and excursions for our international students and training your staff to run them successfully.
Your role is about filling with joy a diverse multicultural exchange and make a lasting impact on the lives of international students. AMs are also responsible for communicating with the Centre Director and Group Leaders, as well as service providers. Summer centres are very busy places and there may be duties to perform in addition to those detailed here.
REQUIREMENTS
Essential
- Must have a UK passport/right to work in the UK, and a valid DBS (England & Wales) or PVG (Scotland). If you’re based outside the UK, also a Criminal Record Check from your country of residence
- Proven suitability to work with students under 18: at least 2 references.
- Be proficient in the use of IT
Desirable
- Summer School experience in the UK or in Ireland.
- Prior work experience as a manager
- Prior experience overseeing a strict operating budget
- First Aid certificate
- Sports/Coaching training
- Volunteering experience
- Involvement in active groups (e.g. scouts, trekking, sports, etc)
PERSON SPECIFICATION
- Ability to develop positive relationships with students, earning their trust whilst maintaining proper professional boundaries
- Ability to establish excellent relationships with our clients and service providers, especially the Group Leaders bringing students from abroad
- Team player
- Ability to provide safety and welfare assistance to students
- Excellent communication skills (verbal, written and interpersonal)
- Display absolute commitment to the highest standards of professional behaviour
- Ability to motivate and inspire a team under pressure and lead by example
- Positive outlook
- Enthusiasm and creativity
- Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work long hours in a high‑pressure environment
- Passion for working with youth
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Ability to multi‑task
- Attention to detail
- Aptitude to effectively use Microsoft Word and Excel
- Ability to be pleasant, polite, and cooperative.
SCHEDULE
As an Activity Manager, you’ll enjoy a dynamic and flexible work schedule designed to meet the exciting demands of our programme. Shifts will vary across mornings, afternoons, evenings, and weekends, providing you with diverse working hours. Each staff member is contracted for up to 44 hours per week. At the end of every week, you’ll be required to confirm and sign off on your worked hours to ensure everything is accurately recorded.
KEY POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES
- Complete all required, paid training/induction meetings prior to and during the programme
- Review itineraries and become knowledgeable with all aspects of the programme
- Complete risk assessments
- Plan and organise activities and excursions ensuring all necessary resources are available and ready.
- Use the MLA software effectively
- Maintain a clean, organised and professional Centre Office
- Schedule Activity Leaders rotas
- Oversee the efficient completion of all duties of Activity Leaders
- Work with the management team and assist the Centre Director to ensure all day‑to‑day centre operations and programme components are properly planned and delivered
- Attend meetings with Group Leaders and MLA Managers
- Be sensitive to staff needs and feedback, and ensure they are being heard and addressed
- Promote the welfare of students and adhere to, and comply with the Safeguarding Policy
TRAINING & CPD
- Complete all required pre‑employment training
- Attend the in‑person induction training and take an active part in discussions
- Read and understand MLA policies sent during the recruitment process
- Read, understand and adhere to the guidelines set out in your Handbook
- Be open to feedback during appraisals and set your own developmental goals for you to work on during your time with MLA
- Request guidance on and actively seek professional development to improve you skills
- Experienced Activity Managers should be open to provide guidance and actively help peers seeking professional development
- Support Activity Leaders in delivering excursions and activities
- Inspire and encourage Activity Leaders to lead excursions and activities
- Work with the MLA Management Team in designing necessary on‑site training
- Carry out inductions and training for Activity Leaders
- Carry out two staff appraisals in line with the MLA guidelines
ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES
- Review, create, and/or confirm all bookings for all excursions and transportation, including extra excursions
- Collaborate with the Centre Administrator to ensure all invoices are paid and receipts are properly logged into the accounting software
- Direct the Activity Leaders in the preparation of the site to include creation of bulletin boards, signage, itineraries, welcome packets, and activity programmes
- Create and ensure weekly staff schedules are accurate and available within the online employee scheduling software
- Maintain the Centre Noticeboard providing accurate information and announcements to Group Leaders and students
- Work with the Centre Director to complete the Airport Transfer Check within the MLA software to ensure all airport transfers have been booked and confirmed correctly
- Assist in the sending of Centre SMS from the MLA software to Group Leaders and students including but not limited to Parent Arrival, Group Leader Arrival, Parent Departure, and Group Leader Departure notifications
- Attend regular staff meetings to maintain good communication and positive morale
SAFEGUARDING & WELFARE
- Promoting the welfare of students and adhere to, and comply with the Safeguarding Policy
- Constantly monitor student and staff safety and welfare, addressing any concerns promptly and effectively
- Assist the Centre Director and Welfare Manager with communicating to staff and guests site‑specific emergency evacuation and preparedness plans
- Maintain 24‑hour on‑call emergency assistance for the centre
- Address any guest or staff concerns and properly document and report concerns
- Be aware of any specific safeguarding needs of minors (those under the age of 18)
- Company Quality Performance
- Work with the Centre Director to ensure that what has been sold to the guests is being provided by the centre
- Participate in a comprehensive Centre induction to all new guests within 24‑hours of arrival
- Follow‑up with MLA Activity Staff to verify all guest inquiries are handled promptly and effectively
LIASING
- Develop a good business relationship with the college/university
- Support the Centre Director to ensure grievance and disciplinary procedures are adhered to
- Provide support for all direct reports and subordinates when necessary
- Use company‑provided communication channels for all business correspondences including company email and phone
- Develop and maintain open lines of communication with Group Leaders
- Support MLA Activity Managers at other centres when required
OFF‑CAMPUIS EXCURSIONS
- Manage off campus excursions to ensure they are properly organised and delivered
- Attend one off‑campus excursion per week, when possible, to check‑in with Activity Leaders ensuring that they are providing quality trips in line with MLA expectations
- Attend the mini breaks, when possible, to monitor and support the programme when necessary
- Perform regular checks to guarantee all buses and transport have been scheduled and confirmed
ON‑CAMPUIS ACTIVITIES
- Maintain a visible presence at the Centre
- Make regular visits to the dining hall during mealtimes to interact with the group leaders and students to confirm operations are running smoothly
- Manage all sports and evening activities at the Centre
- Engage the students and encourage them to sign up for the most suitable sport and evening activity choice.
- Emcee evening activities (eg. MLA’s Got Talent)
RESIDENCE HALL SUPERVISION
- Support the Night Guardian, Activity Leaders and security staff in the event any issues arise requiring that more than one person be present
COMPENSATION
Residential Activity Manager GBP 670 weekly. Holiday pay (12.07%) will be added to rates. Inclusive of holiday pay up to GBP 750 weekly
- Paid training and induction.
- Work as part of a strong team and gain experience
- Opportunities for professional development e.g. appraisals, opportunities for promotion
- Complimentary room and full board as part of the compensation package
MLA REPUTATION AND CODE OF CONDUCT
- MLA Staff Code of Conduct
- To actively support MLA in its mission to provide quality learning
- To provide courses that will challenge the students (realise their potential) and work together to reach their academic targets and support them
- To comply with management requests to follow the guidelines of external organisations such as British Council in a timely and accurate manner
- To be dressed in a presentable professional way and always start on time and if this is not possible to inform your manager as early as possible
- Develop a good rapport with the students and Group Leaders and avoid absences as much as possible
- There is a specific list of what code of conduct we expect from all staff members in our Staff Handbook
MLA EQUALITY STATEMENT
MLA Move Language Ahead is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to excellence through diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, marital status, being pregnant or on maternity leave, race (including ethnic or national origin, nationality and colour), disability, sexual orientation or expression, religion, beliefs, or any other non‑job related criteria.
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