Operations Manager

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.

• 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