Location:
London / Birmingham / UK based (with international travel required)
Type:
Full-time
Oxford Comma Advisory is an international education consultancy helping international students secure admission to leading boarding schools and universities worldwide. We are now seeking a
Head of Operations
— a highly experienced professional who will take full ownership of the company's operational function, build systems and processes, and ensure seamless execution across all programmes and partnerships.
This is a pivotal leadership role. The Head of Operations will manage the student journey, partner relationships, financial reporting, events, and internal operations — while also designing and implementing the systems that will enable Oxford Comma to scale sustainably. The successful candidate will act as the operational backbone of the company, working closely with the CEO and the wider leadership team.
Key Responsibilities
Student Journey & Enrolment
* Oversee the full lifecycle of students across services: Application Support, Career Profiling, Application Profile Building, Employability Profile Building.
* Ensure successful enrolments across all levels: summer schools, boarding schools, undergraduate, master's, PhD.
* Manage or supervise curators who directly support students.
* Coordinate scholarship applications and enrolments with awarding bodies (e.g., Chevening, governmental funds).
* Ensure compliance with immigration and visa policies in coordination with sub-agents abroad.
Partnership & Business Development
* Manage contracts and renewals with partner institutions (universities, boarding schools, summer schools, training providers).
* Maintain and expand relationships with regional partners (Turkey, India, Central Asia, others).
* Support business development by identifying new opportunities and negotiating contracts to grow commission revenue.
* Leverage own existing network of institutional partners and high net worth clients to expand Oxford Comma's reach.
Financial & Reporting
* Manage commission invoicing and payments with partner institutions.
* Maintain accurate financial records and generate operational reports.
* Support forecasting and financial planning linked to student recruitment and partnerships.
Events & Representation
* Organise student fairs, exhibitions, and partner conferences where students and universities connect.
* Manage event logistics, vendors, and post-event performance reporting.
* Represent Oxford Comma at international conferences (ICEF, ALPHE, British Council, etc.), building industry visibility.
* Organise and deliver webinars for students within the product cycle (onboarding webinars, pre-departure sessions, and training webinars with practical guidance).
Marketing Operations
* Support the CEO in implementing the company's marketing strategy.
* Maintain and coordinate the marketing calendar, ensuring alignment with student recruitment cycles and product launches.
* Oversee the operational delivery of webinars, email campaigns, and lead-nurturing activities.
* Ensure smooth coordination between creative (content/social media) and technical (digital/web) teams.
* Track marketing analytics, lead generation, and conversion rates to measure ROI and provide actionable insights.
Operational Systems & Process Building
* Design and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) across student enrolment, partner management, finance, and events.
* Introduce or optimise CRM/student management systems to centralise data and workflows.
* Monitor compliance with GDPR and data protection requirements.
* Build a culture of accountability, transparency, and efficiency in day-to-day operations.
Team & HR Leadership
* Recruit, onboard, and train new team members (curators, coordinators, interns).
* Implement performance management systems and track KPIs.
* Lead internal communication and ensure smooth cross-team collaboration.
* Organise professional development for staff, including training on admissions, compliance, and partner management.
Client Relationship Management
* Manage relationships with key high net worth families who bring repeat and referral business.
* Ensure a high-touch, personalised service for VIP clients.
* Develop initiatives to increase client loyalty and referral networks.
Data & Analytics
* Produce analytical reports on enrolment trends, partner performance, ROI of events, and student outcomes.
* Provide insights to support CEO-level strategic decision-making.
Candidate Profile
Essential Requirements
* Minimum 5 years of senior operational experience in international education.
* Proven record of successful enrolments across multiple levels (boarding schools, universities, postgraduate, scholarships).
* Experience working with affluent high net worth individuals.
* Extensive partner network within the education sector.
* Industry qualifications (e.g., British Council Training, ISEF, ALPHE) and active participation in global education networks.
* Bachelor's degree (minimum, preferably Honours).
* Fluency in English plus at least two additional languages (one European, one other).
* Strong understanding of immigration/visa frameworks affecting student enrolment.
* Event management experience at an international scale.
* Excellent leadership and communication skills.
Desirable
* Willingness to travel internationally on a frequent basis.
* Strong commercial acumen and business development experience.
* Systems thinker: ability to design processes, not just follow them.
* Appetite to grow into a broader COO-level leadership role over time.
Recruitment Process
1. Application Stage
– Review of CV and cover letter.
2. Interview Stage
– Structured online interview to assess experience, knowledge, and professional fit.
3. Competency Task
– A mock assessment exercise to evaluate operational and strategic capabilities.
Why Join Us?
* Lead operations at a mission-driven education consultancy placing students in top-choice universities.
* Build and shape operational systems from the ground up, with a clear path to a future COO-level role.
* Collaborate with a diverse international team and represent the organisation worldwide.