Activity Manager
Essential Requirements
- Good administrative and prioritising skills
- Computer literate
- Ability to organise and manage own work
- Effective communicator
- Able to adapt quickly to change and be flexible
- Demonstrate initiative towards taking on extra tasks
- Enjoy working with children and teenagers from different cultures
- Ability to address large groups of young people
- Good problem-solving skills
- Pass Disclosure Scotland/DBS background checking/vetting procedures
- Previous residential experience
- Smart personal appearance
- Experience of working with children
- Previous summer school experience
- Previous activity leading experience
- Ability to maintain long periods of physical activity
- Previous supervisory experience
*Holiday pay included
Desireable Requirements
The post of Activity Manager is residential and includes all meals and accommodation.
The Activity Manager is responsible for the promotion, organisation and running of daytime and evening activities and all relevant liaison with Group Leaders, as well as assisting the Welfare Coordinator with the welfare, safety and security of students in residential accommodation (including assisting in the arrival and departure of students and carrying out airport transfers). As a management role, this requires a high degree of flexibility and initiative.
The Activity Manager will work closely with and under the guidance of the Centre Manager. They will deputise for the Centre Manager on request, manage a team of Activity Leaders and undertake administrative tasks as necessary (detailed in, but not exclusive to, those listed in the Main Duties and Responsibilities section of this document). They must liaise with the Centre Manager and group leaders on a daily basis to ensure that all clients are fully briefed on the daily programme and can assist with any problems that may arise.
An outlined activity programme is prepared in consultation with the Centre Manager and implemented by the Activity Manager. The Activity Manager will be responsible for delegating tasks to Activity Leaders and will conduct daily and weekly meetings with the activity staff and Centre Manager to ensure all activity staff are aware of the week’s activities and their specific duties. This is also an opportunity to discuss any issues that activity staff may have whilst ensuring staff morale is high.
This post involves administrative and management duties, and therefore, strong administrative and prioritising skills are required. The Activity Manager will work a six-day week. All full-time staff receive one full day off per week.
In accordance with British Council accreditation criterion S4, you must provide a Disclosure (PVG in Scotland/’Enhanced’ DBS in England) and that this must be dated within three months from the start date of employment. If you have been working abroad, you must provide the equivalent ‘police check’ from that country. Whichever one you choose to supply; it must be specific to your suitability to work with under 18s. Disclosure checks made through St. Andrew’s College Language Schools are payable by the employee (£18 to £59) and will be deducted from your salary. The Company reserve the right to deduct the cost of these checks as soon as the process has started and regardless of the completion of the process. The company reserves the right to carry out PVG checks for all employees who don´t provide a suitable disclosure, unless otherwise requested by the candidate on acceptance of the job.
Please bear in mind that the procedure to receiving a Disclosure check can take up to 18 weeks. In the event that my disclosure is still pending at the commencement of my employment, the employee agrees to comply with St Andrew’s College Language Schools, Safeguarding and Recruitment and Selection policies.
The employee must also provide an email address and contact telephone number of 3 referees who can verify their suitability for the post and suitability to work with those aged under 18.
All staff undergo a paid induction (£12.30/hour) and may be asked to start work after this induction. This payment will be made on completion of agreed contract and on return of all company resources and property. Both the induction and the work afterwards are paid. Attendance at the induction is an essential part of the employment.
Reports to: Centre Manager
Other Important Information
- You may be required to work in excess of 48 hours per week. Evening and weekend work will be required.
- All staff accrue pro rata paid holiday during their period of employment.
- Holiday pay in lieu of untaken holiday is paid at the end of the contract.
- Pay will be processed for work undertaken until Sunday 20th July on Friday 25th of July.
- Pay will be processed for work undertaken until Sunday 24th August on Friday 29th August, plus all holiday pay accrued across the period of employment.
- Company t-shirts, lanyards and ID badges are provided and must be worn at all times whilst on duty. Salaries are paid in arrears into a UK bank account on the last Friday of every month.
- Staff do not receive any overtime payment unless this is expressly agreed with the Managing Director.
- All staff must be employees of St Andrew’s College Language Schools.
Welfare:
- To have read and understood the staff handbook and be fully conversant with our policies for the welfare and protection of children. At all times whilst on duty, staff are responsible for the care, welfare and safety of students whilst ensuring they follow the St Andrew’s College Language Schools’ rules.
- Ensuring that each student’s cultural, religious and dietary needs are met and respected.
- Assisting with lights-out duties and supervising other staff as part of pastoral care duties.
- Helping students to adjust to life in the UK and to understand information concerning personal safety, British law, culture and values, and St Andrew’s College Language Schools’ Campus rules.
- When required, assisting with airport transfers and student arrivals/departures.
- Being responsible for Health and Safety issues in accommodation buildings and undertake fire warden duties. Ensure everyone is aware of emergency procedures.
- Ensuring information relating to fire, Health and Safety and medical emergencies is correctly displayed on the information board, in residences and in the Common Room.
- Ensuring that all St Andrew’s College Language Schools’ Health & Safety policies are implemented and monitored.
- When necessary, to be on call between the hours of 7am and 1am for all issues regarding Health and Safety (you are not expected to be on duty between 11pm and 7am).
Management of the Activity Programme:
- Assisting the Centre Manager with staff induction day, helping to provide training to Activity Leaders in the planning, organising and running of on-site and off-site sports activities and excursions.
- Preparing for activity sessions thoroughly. Preparation time can be considerable if you are to ensure the success of the timetabled session. This involves:
- Having all equipment and materials, if appropriate, set up before students arrive.
- Having considered all potential hazards concerning Health & Safety according to guidelines laid down, make necessary provisions to avoid accidents.
- Knowing necessary instructions/directions before session start time.
- Assisting the Centre Manager with providing Group Leaders with their specific weekly programme.
- Having all equipment and decorations, if appropriate, set up before students arrive.
- To rota staff effectively, considering the strengths, abilities and experience of activity staff.
- Informing staff of their weekly work schedule at least 3 days in advance.
- To keep track of Activity Leaders’ hours in accordance with St Andrew’s College Language Schools procedures and report them to the Managing Director accurately.
- Ensuring activities comply with British Council and English UK guidelines (documents available on site).
- Briefing relevant staff on the activity, especially on the procedures and risk assessments involved.
- Ensuring events are promoted effectively and that students sign up in advance every day.
- Ensuring that all students are present at activity sessions, maintaining accurate registers of group attendance and individuals’ attendance, and reporting missing students to the Welfare Coordinator
- Ensuring a high level of student and staff participation in activities through motivation, organisation and supervision.
- Actively taking part in activity sessions with students.
- When required, escorting groups on excursions, ensuring the safety and welfare of the students, as well as providing them with information to help them get the maximum benefit from their visit.
- Deliver a high-quality activities programme.
- Monitor and maintain appropriate staffing levels in consultation with the Centre Manager and Senior Management Team, based on staff:student ratios.
- Managing, motivating and briefing the activity team and overseeing their designated tasks, referring any issues that may arise to the Centre Manager.
- Liaise with Group Leaders daily, both informally and at scheduled meetings.
- Consult with Group Leaders and other members of the activity team to improve the programme wherever possible.
- Providing feedback on the programme for the Centre manager at the end of every week.
- Ensuring staff appraisals are carried out and recorded for all activity staff.
- Managing the activity materials stock (Sports/Art Equipment etc), including items belonging to St Andrew’s College Language Schools, the centre and hired items. Ensure all materials are returned after each activity.
- Confirming all facilities and booking details with the centre staff and external suppliers whilst releasing those not needed in a timely cost-effective manner.
- Ensuring that St Andrew’s College Language Schools and its customers receive value for money from the sports activities programme and organised activities, and that correct use is being made of the facilities and resources.
- Establishing and maintain open communication between the centre, clients, and Centre Manager.
- Representing St Andrew’s College Language Schools positively in all conversations with clients, staff, and the host centre.
Other Duties:
- Administration duties, as allocated by the Managing Director. These may include managing airport transfers, controlling petty cash, or assisting the Centre Manager.
- Deputising for the Centre Manager when required.
- Closing the centre, return all St Andrews College Language Schools equipment according to guidelines outlined in the activity staff manual and write a final report to be submitted to the Managing Director no later than five days after the closing of the centre.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner time supervision duties as required.
- Ensuring that student notice boards are kept up to date and all information is correct and accurate.
- Additional duties as required.
In accordance with British Council accreditation criterion S4, you must provide a Disclosure (PVG from Disclosure Scotland /’Enhanced’ from Disclosure and Barring Service in England) and that this must be dated within three months from the start date of employment. If you have been working abroad for more than 3 months, you must provide the equivalent ‘police check’ from that country. Whichever one you choose to supply, it must be specific to your suitability to work with under 18s. Disclosure checks made through St. Andrew’s College Language Schools are payable by the employee (£18 to £59). The Company reserve the right to deduct the cost of these checks as soon as the process has started and regardless of the completion of the process. Any employees appointed after 31st of May will automatically be required to complete a disclosure check due to time constraints.
Please bear in mind that the procedure of receiving a disclosure check usually takes 14 days (but could take up to a maximum of 18 weeks). In the event your disclosure is still pending at the commencement of your employment, you must agree to comply with St Andrew’s College Language Schools, Safeguarding and Recruitment Policy.
All new disclosure checks made through St Andrew’s College Language Schools are payable by the employee and will be deducted from your salary. This may range from £18 to £59 depending on the disclosure you need.