PLUS U.S. Corporation / Study Tours International is Hiring a Summer Activity Manager Near Northridge, CA
Overview of the Position:
Professional Linguistic Upper Studies (PLUS) runs summer English language study and travel programs for international high school students across North America. The programs allow students the opportunity to take English classes and explore the surrounding regions while staying at North American colleges and universities.
This is a seasonal, full-time, salaried, and in-person position that is integral to the success of our international programs. The Activity Manager is responsible for all excursions and activities for PLUS participants, including excursions to and around tourist sites, recreational activities (i.e. games and sports on campus), and evening activities (i.e. dance parties, karaoke, talent shows, etc.). The Activity Manager works closely with the PLUS head office team to problem-solve issues that arise and deal with emergency situations. The Activity Manager directly manages a team of Activity Coordinators and oversees the Counselors. The Activity Manager reports to the Campus Operations Manager. Full room and board is provided for the duration of employment. Residing on campus is a requirement of the position.
Are you…….
Genuinely excited about the opportunity to meet people from around the world and learn about different cultures?
Comfortable and confident managing a diverse array of tasks under a wide scope of responsibilities?
A leader by example who motivates and works shoulder to shoulder with the people you supervise?
Quick on your feet in the middle of unexpected changes and able to pivot and adjust on the fly?
Highly organized and detail-oriented when managing competing priorities?
If this sounds like you, we think you would enjoy and succeed in the Activity Manager role!
Time Commitment:
The employment period for the Activity Manager position is generally 6-8 weeks during the summer, depending on the program dates. The Activity Manager is responsible for opening the campus at the beginning of the program and seeing the program through to completion. In the application, there is space to indicate and explain your availability during the summer months.
This position requires irregular and significant working hours that fluctuate to meet the demands of a dynamic workday. No day is the same, and sometimes no hour is the same.
This position will typically include a day each week with minimal work commitments, complemented by varying blocks of free time based on program needs.
Peak student enrollment takes place during approximately the last two weeks in July. It is highly likely that your employment period will include this timeframe.
The Activity Manager is expected to work a flexible schedule. Night and weekend work is expected to meet the demands of the program and no vacation time can be honored during the employment period for this position.
Travel:
Regional travel is required. Travel to excursion destinations and any work travel during the employment period will be provided and covered by PLUS.
Residential employees are responsible for all travel costs to and from campus location prior to and at the conclusion of their employment period. Any costs related to parking may not be included.
Compensation:
Wages are between $1,200 - $1,400 per week
Housing for duration of the employment period
Meals (full board) for the duration of the employment period
Specific Duties and Responsibilities:
The following is expected of the Activity Manager:
Standard Expectations
You will be responsible for understanding, adhering to, and enforcing all PLUS/campus policies and procedures, with tasks including but not limited to:
Interacting with groups of international high school students and their group leaders in a professional, enthusiastic, and customer service-oriented manner
Ensuring the safety of all participants and practicing appropriate emergency preparedness and response under PLUS protocols
Maintaining frequent communication and reporting with PLUS head office staff
Being on call every night for the duration of the program
Assisting in duties other than the aforementioned and the following, as assigned and as they arise
Staff Supervision
You will be responsible for supervising a team of residential and overseeing part-time staff members and will be expected to manage all logistical and interpersonal responsibilities, with tasks including but not limited to:
Directly supervising Activity Coordinators and oversee Counselors
In conjunction with the Campus Operations Manager, training the Activity Coordinators and Counselors
In conjunction with the Campus Operations Manager, making a weekly schedule for Activity Coordinators and Counselors
In conjunction with the Campus Operations Manager, holding daily staff meetings to ensure that all program and position needs are met
Conducting regular performance evaluations of the Activity Coordinators
Motivating Activity Coordinators throughout the duration of the program
Off-Campus Operations
You will coordinate, lead, and ensure the proper and smooth execution of all off-campus excursions for PLUS students and group leaders, with tasks including but not limited to:
Creating a detailed schedule for each day and overnight excursion to ensure that Activity Coordinators and Counselors have clear direction
In conjunction with the Campus Operations Manager, communicating with transportation companies to ensure all transportation needs are confirmed and met for PLUS excursions and airport transfers
In conjunction with the Campus Operations Manager, confirming all excursion-related bookings with ticket vendors and off-campus meal providers
Assisting in coordinating all airport arrival and departure schedules; assist in group check-ins and check-outs
Liaising with hotels for overnight excursions regarding rooming lists, check-in, and check-out
On-Campus Activities
You will oversee the planning, coordination, and proper execution of all on-campus activities, events, and recreation, with tasks including but not limited to:
Assisting with the confirmation of all on-campus facilities for PLUS activities
In conjunction with the other managers, conducting a “Welcome Night” presentation that orients students to the PLUS program
Supervising, attending, and participating in talent shows and graduation ceremonies; attending and participating in other on-campus programming as needed
Ensure that Activity Coordinators are prepared to fully participate in all programming as scheduled, including the talent show
Customer Service
You will be responsible for contributing to the delivery of a high-quality international education experience for our clients, with tasks including but not limited to:
Creating a welcoming and informative environment for groups from their arrival and orientation through their departure
Liaising with group leaders, understanding and addressing their expectations and concerns
Responding respectfully and appropriately to participant issues, incidents, and concerns within the parameters of the PLUS program, escalating to head office staff as needed
Modeling the aforementioned in regard to supervisees’ interactions with participants
Office & Miscellaneous
You will be responsible for determining and supporting the logistical and organizational needs of the campus in conjunction with the management team, with tasks including but not limited to:
Overseeing PLUS social media, the PLUS website, campus signs, and PLUS branding
Assisting the Campus Operations Manager in the distribution, tracking, and reconciliation of all participant per diems and/or gift cards
Being responsible for appropriate use and documentation of company cards
Assisting in preparing the campus for groups’ arrivals and departures, including room checks, distribution and collection of documentation, and check-in/check-out procedures
Maintaining an inventory of office and programming supplies
Scheduling and holding daily office hours for group leaders and students
Participating in weekly meeting with the PLUS Head Office and other manager(s)
Fulfilling the role of Activity Coordinator, as needed
Qualifications and Desired Skills:
Authorization to work in the U.S. required
Must be 18 years or older
Bachelor’s degree preferred (at the time of start date); high school diploma required
Prior supervisory experience required
Event planning or coordination experience required
Customer service experience required
Command of Microsoft Excel and Google Drive required
Experience in the hospitality and tourism industry strongly preferred
Experience with summer or study travel programs strongly preferred
International and intercultural experience strongly preferred
Administrative experience preferred
The successful candidate will have strong coordination and organizational skills and be able to work with diverse groups of people in a high-pressure environment. They will be detail-oriented, self-motivated, adaptable, professional, enthusiastic, and always have a positive attitude. The successful candidate will also have strong problem-solving, customer service, multi-tasking, communication, management, and interpersonal skills.
Physical Demands:
Do the essential functions of this job require lifting? Yes, 25 lbs.
Do the essential functions of this job require standing? Yes
Do the essential functions of this job require walking up stairs? Yes
Do the essential functions of this job require stretching? Yes
Do the essential functions of this job require bending? Yes
Questions? Check out our FAQs. If you have further questions, please email USAhiring@plus-ed.com and our team will be in touch with you shortly.