Centre Manager (Student Care)

About the company

Our client, a Catholic organisation, is seeking an experienced Centre Manager to oversee the daily operations of its student care centre and lead an established team of Student Mentors.

Your tasks

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who has personally managed a student care centre and understands the day-to-day realities of working with primary-school children.

The Centre Manager will be responsible for maintaining a safe, nurturing and engaging environment for the children while providing guidance and support to the Student Mentors. Our client is looking for someone who can take ownership of the centre, make sound operational decisions and bring practical experience that will help the team grow.

Centre Operations & Administration

• Oversee the centre’s daily operations, ensuring that student care routines, activities and administrative matters run smoothly.
• Manage key centre administrative functions, including student enrolments and withdrawals, fee payment facilitation, records and other operational matters that support the continuity of the centre’s operations.
• Plan and coordinate manpower deployment, staff schedules, resources and supplies to support daily operations.
• Exercise sound judgement in handling day-to-day operational matters independently, while escalating significant issues appropriately.
• Ensure the centre maintains appropriate standards of safety, organisation and service delivery.

Student Care & Welfare

• Maintain a safe, structured and nurturing environment that supports the well-being and development of students.
• Remain actively involved on the ground, engaging with students and supporting Student Mentors when required.
• Oversee the welfare of students and identify those who may require additional support due to social, emotional or material challenges.
• Work with relevant internal and external parties to connect students and families to appropriate programmes, services or resources where necessary.
• Build positive relationships with parents and address enquiries, feedback and concerns in a timely and professional manner.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach and support the team of Student Mentors, providing practical guidance on student care practices, student management and daily operations.
• Set clear expectations while fostering a supportive and collaborative working environment.
• Encourage Student Mentors to contribute ideas, take initiative and develop their capabilities.
• Provide guidance to the team in managing challenging situations involving students and parents.
• Create an environment where staff are supported to grow while maintaining appropriate standards and accountability.

Programme Quality & Student Experience

• Work closely with the team to continuously enhance the quality and effectiveness of the centre’s programmes and activities.
• Identify opportunities to improve the overall experience of students and parents.
• Encourage and support the team in developing or implementing meaningful activities and initiatives for students.
• Apply practical student care experience to strengthen existing practices, routines and programme delivery.
• Support the organisation’s Catholic ethos and values-based activities, which may include reflection, storytelling and other faith-based practices.

Requirements

• Proven experience managing the day-to-day operations of a student care centre, preferably as a Centre Manager or in an equivalent leadership position.
• Strong understanding of student care operations and experience working directly with primary-school children.
• Hands-on experience leading, coaching and developing a team of student care staff.
• Ability to take ownership of operational matters, make independent decisions and manage competing priorities effectively.
• A firm yet nurturing leadership approach, with the ability to guide staff while remaining approachable and receptive to their ideas.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, particularly when working with students, parents, staff and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated initiative in introducing or implementing improvements within a student care environment.
• Comfortable supporting the organisation’s Catholic ethos and participating in its values-based activities.

Experience with private student care operators, particularly those offering enrichment or enhanced after-school programmes, would be an advantage. Candidates from other student care settings with strong, relevant operational and leadership experience are also welcome.