Custom Programmes and Housing Manager

Reports to: Director, England and Wales Programmes

About the Role

Are you a lifelong learner with a curiosity about the world? Do you enjoy building meaningful programmes that support academic, personal, and intercultural growth for students? If so, we invite you to join IFSA’s global community as our Custom Programmes and Housing Manager.

In this role, you will oversee the planning and delivery of IFSA’s custom academic programmes across England and Wales, while also managing IFSA-provided housing in London. You will play a key leadership role in ensuring high-quality academic, cultural, and logistical support for students, faculty, and partners, while leading a small, dedicated team.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the end-to-end planning and delivery of custom programmes in England and Wales, ensuring deadlines, quality standards, and key performance indicators are met
• Prepare programme proposals and secure bookings for housing and cultural activities
• Provide academic, cultural, and operational support to faculty and programme participants
• Line manage Custom Programme Coordinators and short-term Programme Assistants, supporting performance, wellbeing, and professional development
• Collaborate with the Director, England and Wales Programmes and HR to recruit, train, and onboard staff
• Lead IFSA’s London housing strategy in partnership with senior leadership
• Manage relationships with housing providers and programme partners
• Ensure housing allocations maximise occupancy and meet diverse student needs
• Monitor provider compliance with IFSA health, safety, and wellbeing standards through evaluations and site visits
• Support onsite teams in resolving housing-related issues
• Contribute to student incident management and emergency response in line with established protocols

About You

You bring experience from higher education, tourism, event planning, hospitality, or a related sector, along with proven people-management skills. You are highly organised, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, changing environment. You work well independently and collaboratively, communicate clearly, and approach challenges calmly and professionally.

You are committed to inclusive excellence and have experience supporting students from diverse backgrounds, including students of colour, students with disabilities, first-generation students, and LGBTQIA+ students. Familiarity with the London student housing market is strongly desirable.

Requirements

• Experience managing people and projects
• Strong planning, time management, and digital skills (Salesforce experience a plus)
• Excellent attention to detail and data management skills
• Flexibility and resilience in dynamic situations
• Undergraduate degree preferred
• Legal right to work in the UK required

About IFSA

IFSA (Institute for Study Abroad) is a US-based nonprofit organization that creates transformative global learning experiences. With programmes in 19 countries and 48 cities, IFSA is committed to inclusive excellence, individualized learning, intercultural agility, and enduring impact.

Benefits & Application

We offer flexible work arrangements, pension contributions, and support for professional development.

To apply, submit your CV and cover letter via IFSA’s careers page by clicking on the 'Apply' button above.

IFSA is an equal opportunity employer, and our hiring process is inclusive of all genders and gender expressions, races and ethnicities, ages, religions and sexualities as well as veterans and people with disabilities.

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