Welfare Manager Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University

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Full time
Location: Edinburgh
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Job offered by: Move Language Ahead
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Welfare Manager

The MLA Welfare Manager is a full-time, seasonal position (mid-June through mid-August) with MLA, which is the trade name of Go Languages Worldwide Ltd in the UK and Study World Corp in the US. As the Welfare Manager, you would be working under the direct supervision of the Center Director. The Welfare Manager is responsible for the care, safeguarding, and welfare of students at MLA Summer Centers. You would need to liaise with others on campus to ensure that any concerns or dangers are highlighted and avoided. This position requires residing on campus in company-provided housing and monitoring the safety and well-being of international high school students attending our cultural immersion program.

Position Overview

Responsible for student welfare and safeguarding

Reports to Center Director

Employment from end of June – beginning of August

6 working days per week

1 day off per week

Required Skills

Positive outlook

Enthusiasm

Excellent organization skills

Ability to work long hours in a high-pressure environment

Passion for the safety and wellbeing of youth

Company

For almost 50 years, MLA World has been bridging cultures together through education and world travel. We are a company dedicated to encouraging the growth of global citizens through English language learning abroad and safe, culturally immersive youth programming. With travel and education at the forefront of our mission, MLA’s work culture is always exciting and full of change. We are an international team who loves sharing culture, stories of travel, and a passion for working with youth and enlarging their perspectives of the world.

Company Mission Statement

MLA Move Language Ahead is an industry leader committed to providing premier international study abroad programs that ensure the highest levels of safety, education, and cultural immersion.

LOCATIONS

Heriot-Watt University (Other locations we operate: King's College, Brunel University, Roehampton University, University of Surrey, University of Reading, Moulton College, Worcester, University of Worcester, University of Portsmouth, Dulwich College, The Duke of York's Royal Military School)

DATES

June 19, 2025 – August 15, 2025* *Contract dates may vary to meet the needs of the program

SCHEDULE

As a Welfare Manager, you’ll enjoy a dynamic and flexible work schedule designed to meet the exciting demands of our programme. Shifts will vary across mornings, afternoons, evenings, and weekends, providing you with diverse working hours. For example, you may be scheduled for a morning and afternoon shift one day, and an afternoon and evening shift the next.

Each staff member is contracted for up to 44 hours per week. At the end of every week, you’ll be required to confirm and sign off on your worked hours to ensure everything is accurately recorded.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Experience

The successful candidate must have a high school degree or equivalent. Furthermore, you are a successful candidate if you have good interpersonal skills and can thrive in the high-pressure environment of an exciting international summer school. You must represent MLA Move Language Ahead's values and model those values to your team, university staff, attraction vendors, and clients.

Additional required skills include:

Demonstrated experience in looking after youth

Ability to multi-task

Excellent communication (verbal and written)

Attention to detail

Self-motivation

Ability to establish excellent relationships with our clients, specifically the Group Leaders who bring their students from abroad

Aptitude to effectively use Microsoft Word and Excel

Ability to be pleasant, polite, and cooperative with fellow employees, vendors, and guests

Additional preferred qualifications:

Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree

Prior work experience as a manager

Prior work experience with an MLA summer center or youth camp

First Aid certification

Must hold a valid US Drivers License, as occasional local errands and other non-student transport may be required (US Centres only)

Key Position Accountabilities

Pre-Program

Attend all required, paid training/induction meetings prior to the start of a session

Review itineraries and become knowledgeable with all aspects of the program

Complete any required training sessions/courses as directed

Review the Center Set-up Guide

Become familiar with the mlaEasy Center Management software

Communicate with the center staff regarding move-in, training, and any other pre-program information

Management of the Center

Help maintain a clean, organized, and professional Center Office

Review all details pertaining to the day-to-day center welfare operations and ensure all program components are properly planned and delivered

Attend all meetings with Group Leaders in support of the Center Director

Work in conjunction with the Director of Studies to confirm the student attendance in the tuition program

Attend regular meetings with Campus Partners, as requested, which may include Conference Services, Dining Services, and Public Safety to ensure the program is running smoothly and the needs of our group leaders and students are being met

Welfare & Safeguarding

Read and understand the

MLA Safeguarding Policy

and Staff Handbook, and be fully acquainted with our policies for the welfare and protection of students

Be aware of safeguarding duties, including all local, state, and federal laws regarding minors

Ensure that all MLA and campus policies for the welfare and protection of children are understood by students and adhered to by all staff

Constantly monitor student and staff safety and welfare, addressing any concerns promptly and effectively

Support the Center Director in establishing and effectively communicating with staff and guests site-specific emergency evacuation and preparedness plans

Address any student or staff concerns, keeping a log, reporting to the relevant persons involved, and following up with a record of the outcome

Ensure that each student’s cultural, religious, and dietary needs are met and respected

Act as a Group Leader for individual students if necessary; Duties may include ensuring their welfare, being on hand if they need help, airport transfers, and wake-up calls

Maintain 24-hour on-call emergency assistance for the Center

Assist Centre Director for any Authorized Student Pick-Up requests, ensuring proper documentation is received and recorded

Help students to adjust to life in a new culture and to understand information concerning personal safety

Liaise with the Medical Doctor regarding any welfare-related matters

Health & Safety

Oversee the MLA Health and Safety Protocol for the center

Undergo risk assessments of all campus facilities used by our programme

Keep all programme risk assessments organized and up-to-date

Be knowledgeable on how to respond and/or escalate on- and off-campus health and safety matters

Coordinate all student and employee care with the MLA Medical Doctor on site

Company Quality Performance

Work with the Center Director to ensure that what has been sold to the guests is being provided by the center

Participate in a comprehensive Center induction to all new guests within 24 hours of arrival

Follow-up with MLA Activity Staff to verify all guest inquiries are handled promptly and effectively

Confirm the student and Group Leader handbooks are available and the contents are being adhered to

Program Set-Up

Participate with the staff in the preparation of the site to include creation of bulletin boards, signage, itineraries, welcome packets, and activity programs

Oversee all MLA campus signage to ensure students can clearly find their way around campus and have access to important phone numbers and emergency information

Direct the set-up of student rooms where needed by distributing linen, arranging furniture, and preparing keys

Collaborate with the Center Administrator to ensure a correct rooming list has been provided to the Center in accordance with the Center contract and student needs

Conduct guest room inspections to verify the rooms are clean and up to the standards of MLA

Administrative Duties

Help complete the Airport Transfer Check within the mlaEasy software to ensure all airport transfers have been booked and confirmed correctly

Maintain accurate lists of students’ medical needs, histories, and dietary requirements

Attend regular staff meetings to maintain good communication and positive morale

Maintain the Master Center Excel file with detailed housing, dining, and facilities usage

Assist the Activity Manager with the booking and confirming of extra excursions

Oversee the maintenance requests by group leaders and students and ensure they are communicated and completed by the campus partners

Administer the collection and distribution of the student passports and security deposits

Oversee reporting of campus damages and collecting security deposits when necessary

Participate in the end-of-program staff evaluations and program report

Provide daily maintenance on the Center Notice Board to ensure accuracy and clear communication

Liaising

Develop a good business relationship with the college/university to ensure group leader and student needs are met

Act as the main point of contact to the dining hall ensuring dietary needs of students and staff are taken care of

Provide support for all direct reports and subordinates when necessary

Maintain regular communication with the COO and/or the Head Office

Use company-provided communication channels for all business correspondences including company email and phone (in UK centres)

Develop and maintain open lines of communication with Group Leaders

Support MLA Welfare Managers at other centers when required

Work with vendors to ensure strict student welfare and safety measures are taken

Assist the Center Director to ensure grievance and disciplinary procedures are adhered to

Liaise with the Director of Studies to ensure all students are present in class and follow standardized communication procedures for absent students

Off-Campus Excursions

When directed, attend off-campus excursions and assist Activity Leaders with supervision of students

When directed, attend the mini breaks to monitor guest and staff conduct and to support the program when necessary

Make decisions while on excursions regarding the safety and welfare of our guests

Confirm all meals scheduled off-campus included all dietary needs and requests

On-Campus Activities

Maintain a visible presence at the Center

Work with the Director of Studies to locate students who are late/absent from the lessons and discover why they were not present; refer students with illness to the Medical Doctor

Make regular visits to the dining hall during mealtimes to interact with the guests and confirm operations are running smoothly

Work with dining services to ensure all food is properly labeled and special dietary meals are available for students to meet their specific needs

Coordinate student birthday celebrations with the MLA staff and group leaders

Serve as the Manager on Duty for all scheduled swimming events

Residence Hall Supervision

Work with the Night Guardian in ensuring the Center’s rules are being upheld regarding the quiet hours and lights out

Meet with students who violate the Center's rules regarding quiet hours and lights out

Support the Night Guardian in the event any issues arise requiring that more than one person be present

Compensation

The Welfare Manager is compensated as a weekly salary commensurate with the successful candidate’s education and experience. Starting salary is from GBP 530 per week (+ Holiday Pay 12.07%). The Welfare Manager will also receive complimentary room and full board as part of their compensation package.

MLA Reputation and Code of Conduct

To actively support MLA in its mission to provide quality learning

To provide courses that will challenge the students (realize their potential) and work together to reach their academic targets and support them

To comply with management requests to follow the guidelines of external organisations such as British Council in a timely and accurate manner

To be dressed in a presentable professional way and always start on time and if this is not possible to inform your manager as early as possible

Develop a good rapport with the students and Group Leaders and avoid absences as much as possible

There is a specific list of what code of conduct we expect from all staff members in our Staff Handbook

UK EQUALITY ACT 2010 MLA Move Language Ahead is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to excellence through diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, marital status, being pregnant or on maternity leave, race (including ethnic or national origin, nationality and colour), disability, sexual orientation or expression, religion, beliefs, or any other non-job related criteria.

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