Welfare Manager

The MLA Welfare Manager is a full-time, seasonal position (mid-June through mid-August) with MLA Move Language Ahead, 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 is required to reside on campus in company-provided housing and monitor 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

USA

• Ramapo College, Mahwah, NJ
• Pitzer College, Claremont, CA
• Florida International University, Miami, FL

Dates
June 19, 2024 – August 15, 2024*
*Contract dates may vary to meet the needs of the program

Schedule
The Welfare Manager is required to work a flexible schedule to meet the demands of the program including a variety of day, night, and weekend shifts. As the Welfare Manager, you would be required to reside on campus in MLA Move Language Ahead-provided housing for the duration of the program. You will also participate in nightly on-call responsibilities to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff.

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 a 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 student are being met

Welfare & Safeguarding

• Read and understand the MLA Welfare Manual 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, report to the relevant persons involved and follow 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, be on hand if they need help, airport transfers, and wake-up calls
• Establish and effectively communicate to staff and guests site-specific emergency evacuation and preparedness plans
• 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 centre
• Undergo risk assessments of all campus facilities used by our programme
• Keep all programme risk assessments organised 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 Operations Manager and/or the Head Office
• Use company provided communication channels for all business correspondences including phone (in UK centres) and company email
• 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 Director of Studies to ensure all students are present in class and follow standardised 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
• Maintain a visible presence at the Center

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; act as the primary manager on call during Night Guardian shifts

Compensation
The Welfare Manager position is classified as exempt and will receive a weekly salary commensurate with the successful candidate’s education and experience. 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 (realise 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.

US AFFIRMATIVE ACTION STATEMENT
 MLA Move Language Ahead is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer dedicated to excellence through diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, handicap/disability, Vietnam-era/disabled veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other non-job related criteria.