Center Director

Center Director

Reports to: Regional Director of Operations

Employment Status: Full-Time

Location: Cleveland, Ohio

Job Description:

Every year, students from around the world arrive in the United States to improve their English, prepare for university, and pursue life-changing opportunities. As Center Director, you'll be the leader who creates that experience. This role combines the responsibilities of a business leader, community ambassador, operations executive, and student advocate. You'll lead a talented team, oversee center operations, build relationships with university partners, and create an environment where students and employees thrive.

Job Duties:

The duties of this position include, but are not limited to:

Lead the Center

• Provide overall leadership for daily operations.
• Hire, coach, mentor, and develop a high-performing team.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, student-centered culture.
• Drive accountability and continuous improvement.

Deliver an Outstanding Student Experience

• Create a welcoming environment for international students.
• Support student engagement, retention, and success.
• Partner with the Academic Director to ensure educational excellence.
• Resolve student concerns with professionalism and empathy.

Build Strategic Relationships

• Serve as the primary liaison with university partners.
• Develop relationships with referral partners, landlords, and community organizations.
• Represent ELS in the local community.

Run the Business

• Own the center budget and financial performance.
• Monitor KPIs, enrollment, revenue, and expenses.
• Identify opportunities for growth and operational efficiency.

Ensure Operational Excellence

• Maintain compliance with company policies and regulations.
• Oversee center appearance, safety, reporting, and audits.
• Promote a culture of quality and continuous improvement.

What Success Looks Like

• Engaged students and strong retention.
• A high-performing, collaborative team.
• Trusted relationships with university and community partners.
• Consistent financial and operational performance.
• A welcoming, inclusive, and professional culture.

Education and Experience Required:

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred.
• Leadership experience in higher education, international education, hospitality, student affairs, or another service-oriented organization.
• Experience managing student housing in multi-unit properties is preferred.
• DSO experience is considered a strong asset. Candidates without prior DSO experience should be willing to undergo training and take on DSO responsibilities as part of the role.
• Experience managing budgets and business operations.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and leadership skills.
• Experience working with diverse cultures and international populations.
• ESL, TESOL, or English language program experience preferred but not required.

Compensation and Benefits

• The pay range for this position is $60,000 to $65,000 annually.
• ELS' total compensation package will vary based on the pay type of the position and may include performance-based incentives, discretionary bonuses, as well as other perks and rewards.
• This position will be eligible for health insurance, including options for medical plans, dental, vision, HSA or FSA plans, life insurance and AD&D, short-term disability, and long-term disability.
• 401k Retirement Plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off/Leave (Vacation, Paid Holidays and Sick Leave)

About ELS

Since 1961, when ELS Educational Services opened its first school in Washington DC, ELS has developed a global reputation for delivering top-quality English language programs. ELS now has the most extensive network of on-campus English language programs and University partners, across the USA.

About ILSC Education Group

In early 2022, ILSC Education Group joined forces with ELS Educational Services, bringing together over 100 years of combined experience delivering life-changing learning experiences to international students.

A world leader in language education & vocational training, ILSC Education Group, which opened its first language school in Vancouver, Canada in 1991 and Greystone College in 2002, offers life-changing educational experiences in Canada, Australia, Ireland and India, some of the world's most attractive and popular English-speaking work and study destinations. Since opening its first school in Vancouver, BC, Canada, ILSC has become a world leader in language and career training and has grown to include 10 incredible locations around the world, in Vancouver, Toronto and Montréal, Canada; New Delhi, India; and Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, Australia; and Dublin, Ireland; as well as two online language schools, ILSC HELLO and ILSC ALLO. In 2025, ILSC Education Group launched Greystone Institute, a new Higher Education provider in Brisbane.

Our mission is to provide our global community with transformative learning, living and work experiences by offering the finest language, career and higher education programs.

Our Core Values

PASSION: To enrich & transform people's lives

INNOVATION: To evolve through creativity & diversity

RESPECT: To treat everyone with compassion & dignity.

COLLABORATION: To build community & achieve more together

INTEGRITY: To act responsibly & ethically in everything we do

ELS, ILSC and Greystone College are committed to providing a barrier-free environment and are proud to be Equal Employment Opportunity employers. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.