School Director, LA Westwood

Job Description

Part of Kaplan Inc and sitting within the Kaplan Languages Group (KLG), Kaplan International Languages provides high-quality English language programmes to customers from over 100 countries. Our schools are located across the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

As a premium provider of English language education, quality is central to everything we do. Whether that’s providing advice at the start of a customer’s journey, ensuring that accommodation is as advertised, or that all lessons are well-planned and expertly delivered, our expectation is that wherever people work in the business, they will reflect these high standards.

An exciting opportunity for you!

We are looking to appoint a School Director for our vibrant LA Westwood school, who will be responsible for the success of all school operations. This will involve overseeing all programs and services offered at the school, including academics, housing, activities, and general administration; looking after the well-being of our students and employees; monitoring student satisfaction, staff professionalism, academic integrity, and compliance; meeting student enrollment and operating income goals; and ensuring that the goals of the company are met.

Responsibilities:

• Business Management: manage and assume ultimate responsibility for service, operations, academics, housing, student activities, ancillary programs and services.
• Accommodation: ensure appropriate management of all aspects of housing program, including host family recruitment, supply, quality and retention; availability and profitability of residences/dorms/apartments; strong involvement in conflict resolution between students, families and vendors; accurate payments to families and vendors; effective response and resolution to issues and complaints raised by Customer Service and Agents; correct use and utilization of databases; staffing and training.
• Personnel Matters: hire, train and supervise staff; train and supervise staff in product knowledge, sales conversion techniques, and customer services expectations; ensure all HR processes and requirements are adhered to.
• Budget and Financial Oversight: manage and oversee all aspects of school budget and finances; work closely with accounts receivable and payment processing; maintain constant control of and knowledge of school finances and respond/adjust accordingly.
• Student Welfare: ensure quick resolution to customer service challenges; work in close partnership and cooperation with Customer Service teams worldwide; surveys and adjustments.
• Affiliations and Compliance Issues: manage compliance issues and counsel students on visa regulations; ensure adherence to and communicate on immigration and regulatory standards (e.g. ACCET and SEVIS).
• Sales and Marketing: participate in national initiatives and communicate feedback to national team; develop and solidify relationships with agencies locally and worldwide.
• Execution of local, grass-roots marketing.
• Train all staff on effective sales techniques (e.g. closing domestic enrollments, maximizing extensions and minimizing terminations).
• Pro-actively seek out new partners and vendors within the community, including post-secondary institutions, vendors, host families, residences, etc.
• Public Relations: conduct sales and informational seminars both in-house as well as within the community (e.g. presenting to local colleges, embassies/consulates, etc).
• Work with counterparts in other KI schools, as well as shared center staff, vendors, partners and Customer Service teams worldwide.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Success Metrics:

• Managing to budget; profitability of school.
• School performance per Board Report.
• Student Survey Results, with particular reference to recommendation rate, teacher excellence and impression of staff.
• Ability to develop and follow up on marketing plans, success of initiatives.
• Maximization of Extensions and Minimization of Terminations.
• Short-term and long-term development and domestic planning; ability to adjust plans accordingly.

Ideal Candidate Qualifications:

• Excellent management and staff supervision skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills.
• Excellent organizational and planning skills with the ability to handle numerous details.
• Excellent problem solving, decision-making, and creative thinking abilities.
• Excellent leadership, management and team motivation skills.
• Strong understanding of and ability to use database systems.
• Strong understanding of P/L responsibilities.
• Strong ability in planning, developing and executing marketing initiatives.
• Proven customer service skills.
• Tact, patience and diplomacy, particularly with non-native English speakers.
• Need for cultural sensitivities and/or a desire to work in a diverse environment.
• High energy level and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• 3-5+ years experience in a business or operational setting.
• Prior management experience as evidenced by strong leadership, entrepreneurial, and team motivation skills.
• Hands-on approach to customer service and business growth.
• Ability to travel locally and work occasionally during evenings and weekends.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Preferred Knowledge, Qualifications and Skills:

• Master’s degree.
• Prior experience with international students and ESL/EFL field and/or sales and marketing.
• Language ability in one or more foreign language.

Application Method:

Please apply on this website. We recommend that you apply at the earliest opportunity, as this vacancy will be closed once we have gathered a suitable shortlist.

Physical Requirements:

• Sitting
• Standing
• Walking
• Climbing
• Lifting up to 50+ pounds
• Pulling
• Pushing
• Carrying
• Grasping
• Reaching
• Bending
• Visual Acuity
• Color Determination
• Speaking
• Listening

Remuneration:

In compliance with California guidelines regarding pay transparency, our pay scales for employees in California; from School Directors with no experience, to well qualified and experienced candidates:

• $75K/year Avg
• $65K/year Min
• $80K Max

Location:

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Employee Type:

Employee

Job Functional Area:

Operations

Kaplan International is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. If you require any adjustments or additional support within the recruitment process, please contact us directly. All positions with Kaplan are paid at least $15 per hour or $31,200 per year for full-time positions. Compensation for specific positions are based on job level, skills, years of experience, and education, among other factors. Additionally, certain positions are bonus or commission eligible.

Kaplan International Languages requires that all new hires have proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment. Exemptions for medical or religious reasons are available on a case-by-case basis.