Centre Director

Job overview

As Centre Director, you are directly responsible for the effective, safe, and smooth running of your centre. You are the senior member of the onsite team, leading the academic, welfare, and activity departments and ensuring every part of the programme meets Dusemond’s high standards.

You are also the face of the centre – the first point of contact for Group Leaders, students, and host school staff. Your leadership, visibility, and communication set the tone for the entire team, emboding our core values of Care, Honesty, Energy, Empathy, Respect, and Smiles (CHEERS!) in everything you do.

Centre Management

Staff stories

Working as a Centre Director in a summer school is perhaps one of the most challenging but rewarding ways to spend your summer! It can feel like spinning plates at times; in between making sure the academic and activity programmes are running, staying on top of any welfare concerns together with keeping our fantastic host school and group leaders happy, there is always something demanding your attention! But it is all worth it when a group is sad to leave and you know that they have had an amazing experience.

Job details

Full Board

Accommodation and meals provided throughout your contract. No deduction will be made for this.

Salary

£1,000* per week

Bonus subject to criteria and successful completion of contract

Holiday Pay

12.07% holiday pay will be added to your salary.

Working Hours

Up to 48 hours per week based on 6 working days.

Reporting to

Operations Manager and Director of Operations

Locations

Uppingham, Edinburgh, Rugby, Bedales, Colchester, Royal Russell (London), Berkhamsted & Cheltenham.

Available Contract Dates

Temporary – April, July & August 2026

Pre-joining training dates

Management staff are required to attend a training weekend in advance of starting their contract.

An online safeguarding course will need to be completed prior to your arrival at the centre.

Key responsibilities:

Leadership

You will be the person everyone looks to for guidance and support; the tone you set is what everyone else should follow.

You’ll be expected to:

Be active and visible around campus, constantly checking in with Dusemond staff, leaders, students and the school.
Act on feedback as necessary
Lead regular staff meetings and have fluid communication with your management team
Perform regular Group Leader meetings to make sure everyone staying with us fully understands the programme and the logistics of each day
Make sure all our Dusemond staff feel valued, supported and listened to.

Arrivals

As Centre Director, your first major responsibility is overseeing the arrival of our students and organising their transfer to the school. First impressions are everything, and a smooth arrival day is crucial in setting the tone for the coming two week stay.

You’ll be expected to:

Welcome groups to campus and reassure them they are in safe hands after their long journey
Make sure all students receive their first meal as planned
Ensure all accommodation is prepared on schedule by liaising with the school residences team, and that the rooming list is being followed diligently
Deal with any initial concerns held by our Group Leaders as quickly as possible

Key Performance Indicators

Consistently high levels of client satisfaction, reflected in positive feedback from Group Leaders and partners.
Strong staff morale and engagement, with team members feeling supported, valued, and motivated.
A collaborative and respectful relationship with the host school
Financial performance maintained in line with company targets, ensuring operational efficiency

Finances

You are responsible for the financial management of your centre. While Dusemond Head Office will sign off on major expenses, you must ensure all operations run efficiently, without unnecessary overspending.

You’ll be expected to:

Monitor budgets and ensure resources are used effectively.
Review and authorise adjustments (e.g., coach bookings, attraction tickets, catering numbers).
Report and action any damage or additional charges linked to group stays.
Ensure payments and financial records are accurate throughout the course.

Group Leader Socials

You’ll host a range of social events for our Group Leaders – from afternoon teas to wine and cheese evenings – creating opportunities to build strong, positive relationships. These moments are key to fostering trust, open communication, and a sense of partnership that enhances their overall experience at the centre.

Community & Pastoral Care

Everyone is responsible for the students’ safeguarding and wellbeing. As Centre Director, you will ensure that policies are implemented effectively, staff are vigilant and supported in their safeguarding duties, and a safe, secure environment is maintained at all times.

Many of our host schools are located in residential areas, so you will also ensure that both staff and students are considerate of the local community.

Your eligibility

You must:

be over 18 years of age
be eligible to work in the UK
have appropriate safeguarding training*
get an enhanced DBS check**

You should:

have significant people management experience
have financial management experience
proven record of customer relations and satisfaction
adaptable and quick to solve operational issues

It's a plus if:

you are a first aider
you have existing safeguarding training
you have experience working with our centres or locations

* will be provided if necessary

** Dusemond will assist applicants in obtaining an enhanced DBS check and cover the cost.

Working for Dusemond means:

Lasting Friendships

Our staff build close friendships and camaraderie that often lasts well beyond the end of our programmes, with the chance to be re-united the next season!

Career progression

If you thrive in the amazing environments we work so hard to create, you’ll want to grow with us. Many first year staff return to become supervisors and managers.

References Provided

The broad range of skillsets required, make Dusemond centres excellent places to develop and substantiate your abilities for future roles.