Head Counselor / Activity Manager

WHAT DOES THIS JOB INVOLVE?

There are two Head Counselors at each ISSOS campus, one male and one female. Working as a team, you will be responsible for managing, motivating, supervising and leading your team of 15 Counselors in their daily roles and responsibilities. Along with your partner, you will be responsible for ensuring the welfare and safety of up to 150 international students, aged 13-18 and need to be comfortable and capable of dealing with any disciplinary issues with regard to both students and counselors if they were to occur.

You and your team of Counselors will be responsible for running the sporting activities, the evening programmes and the cultural trips. Your team will be made up of people who are passionate about providing a great experience for their students and are fun in nature.

As one of our Head Counselors your role within the summer school is essential to its success and the responsibility of this position comes with plenty of challenges but an even greater number of rewards. All of our summer positions are fully residential and all of our staff teams will be actively involved in the various events and activities that we put on for our students.

YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Management and motivation of a team of 15 staff
• Overseeing the welfare of 150 students
• Planning and running large group events
• Managing cultural trips
• Planning and coordinating the arrival and departure of our students
• Sending daily reports to Head Office
• Running daily meetings with staff and students
• Motivating your team.

 WHAT SKILLS/EXPERIENCE DO YOU NEED?

• Previous experience working with young people is essential
• Previous people management experience preferred
• You must be fluent in English.

THE TYPE OF PERSON WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

• Passionate about working with young people and understands the positive impact they can have on their students.
• Hard working and reliable
• Clear and effective communicator
• Ability to address difficult situations in a calm and professional manner
• Flexible attitude
• Confident speaking to large groups of people
• Enthusiastic and self motivated.

WHEN AND WHERE WE NEED YOU:

St Andrews: 25th June - 14th August 2025

Cambridge: 5th July - 31st July 2025 

Yale: 9th July - 4th August 2025 

REIMBURSEMENT:

Before the start of the session, we run a three-day orientation (dates are inclusive of this).

Staff members receive reimbursement after the session. Travel reimbursements and any finders’ fees are paid separately. 

We provide accommodation in all locations for all staff. Meals are provided in the halls of residence once students arrive, however, staff are responsible for their meals during Orientation. 

St Andrews: £2500 GBP per session (£5000 GBP for the full contract)

Cambridge: £2500 GBP for the session 

Yale: £2500 GBP for the session 

TRAVEL:

ISSOS will cover the majority of travel expenses to/from campus. This will be discussed at interview. 
 

WHO CAN APPLY?

To apply for this role, you must be a UK citizen or have the legal right to work in the UK. Please note that we cannot sponsor visas for working in the UK.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU SHOULD KNOW?

• All of our staff must pass a full criminal background check*
• We provide full bed and board for you at our campuses, plus fixed payment
• This role is available in St Andrews

WHAT WILL YOU GET OUT OF IT?

Our Head Counselor roles are a great opportunity for anyone looking to build on their previous work with young people and gain invaluable experience that can be put into use in their full time careers. You will develop your leadership and management skills while working with students and staff from over 80 nationalities, at the same time as having a fantastic summer experience of your own. No two days at ISSOS are the same and we are really proud of the fact that our staff team have as much fun during the summer as our students do.

Read our staff testimonials or check out our Staff FAQs