Course Director

Published at: 2024-01-09

In this pack you will find: a detailed job description, the minimum requirements for this role, the profile of an ideal candidate, information about the selection process, and an introduction to the company for on-course staff.

You can email us at recruitment@oxfordsummercourses.com if you have any questions.

Oxford Summer Courses, a Bridgemark company

Oxford Summer Courses is part of Bridgemark Education, founded by two school friends and Oxford graduates who wanted to open up exceptional educational journeys to more people. In 2021 we ran COVID-compliant in-person courses. Our approach is based on interactive teaching, growth mindsets, small group learning, and tutor autonomy. We channel our passion into making a positive impact on our surroundings whether that be our students, the wider community or the environment.

Apply now

Applications are open for 2024 courses. Find out more and explore other roles on our careers page.

Please note that only successful applicants will be contacted and that no terminology in this document is intended to discriminate on the grounds of a person's gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability or sexual orientation. Every candidate will be assessed only in accordance with their merits, qualifications and abilities to perform the duties of the job.

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Job Description

Job Title:

Course Director

Location:

Oxford, Cambridge, Windsor or Harrow

Reports to:

Operations Manager

Reports to you:

Deputy Course Director, Study Leader, Course Leaders/House Parents, Course Coordinators

Pay rate:

£910 per week

Contract type:

Fixed term contract

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Main duties and responsibilities

As a Course Director, you’ll deliver our residential courses for international students smoothly and successfully.

Location: Oxford, Cambridge, Windsor or Harrow. Residential role at no extra cost to you, meals provided when on duty. You’ll work and live in some of the most prestigious university or school locations in Oxford, Cambridge, Windsor or Harrow. Participating could include day trips across the UK, local activities such as punting and formal dining in historic institutions.

Pay and hours: £910 per week on a fixed term contract. Monday to Sunday up to 70 hours per week on a shift pattern with overnight duties, 1 day off per week.

Reports to: Operations Manager

Reports to you: Deputy Course Director, Study Leader, Course Leaders/House Parents, Course Coordinators

Main duties and responsibilities

• Overall responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of students at one of our sites—usually a university college or boarding school.
• Team leadership for a professional and fulfilling working environment.
• Decision-maker in emergency situations.
• Lead role in student and staff discipline, welfare and safeguarding.
• Manage a site budget and an inventory of kit and supplies.
• Create, update and maintain staff rota, including assigning and monitoring necessary staff overtime.
• Liaise with the host site to ensure a safe and comfortable residential experience.
• Work closely with head office staff to coordinate the academic programme, including liaising with tutors as required.
• Support the management of the social and cultural programme.
• Maintain a professional and respectful image of the company and yourself at all times.

Minimum requirements

• Extensive experience in a position of authority working with young people
• Extensive experience in staff and process management and development
• Experience with partnership management
• Precision in budget management and attention to detail
• General IT competency
• Right to work in the UK (we cannot sponsor work visas for this role)

Person specification

An ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Natural authority with calm, competent leadership
• Excellent judgement and conviction in decision-making
• Knowledge of health and safety, emergency and child safeguarding protocols
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to give and receive constructive feedback
• Positive relationship management with external stakeholders

Experience you may have:

• Working in a leadership position in summer schools or holiday camps
• Working in a teaching or management capacity in a school or college
• Managing inexperienced team members
• Working in senior positions at Oxford Summer Courses

Personality traits of a great Course Director:

• Gravitas and resilience
• Charismatic leadership and reassuring authority
• Pragmatic problem solver

About Oxford Summer Courses

Independent thinking through exceptional education. Oxford Summer Courses is part of Bridgemark Education, founded by two school friends and Oxford graduates. Our approach is based on interactive teaching, small group learning, and tutor autonomy. We channel our passion into making a positive impact on our surroundings whether that be our students, the wider community or the environment.

We have six distinct values that underpin everything we do as a community, helping us deliver excellent learning opportunities:

• Growth mindset
• Wellbeing
• Student impact
• Camaraderie
• Agility
• Building community

Selection process

Only successful applicants will be contacted and no terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate on the grounds of a person's gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability or sexual orientation. Every candidate will be assessed only in accordance with their merits, qualifications and abilities to perform the duties of the job.

Pre-interview task

If you are invited to an interview you will be asked to submit a pre-interview task. We ask for this to be sent 48 hrs in advance so that your interviewer can review it and consult the wider team if necessary.

Interview

Interviews will take place either online using Google Meet or at our offices in Oxford or Cambridge—you will be informed via an email invitation. After being introduced to the role, you will be asked about your relevant experience. Your interviewer will also find out how you would respond to scenarios that often arise in this role. There will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions and find out more throughout. All applicants are required to bring documents to the interview. Details on documents accepted for DBS a check can be found at gov.uk.

Role assignment

Students sign up to courses throughout the year, so positions will be filled on a rolling basis. This may mean that we will be unable to confirm the details of vacancies at the interview. If you are made an offer we will contact you separately to offer specific roles, dates, and location.

Safeguarding

Oxford Summer Courses Limited is committed to safeguarding and protecting children and has robust safeguarding policies. References are requested and will be scrutinised. Where appropriate, they will be validated with the providing referee. We also undertake enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks to ensure all our staff are suitable to work with children.