IELTS Operations Senior Manager

IELTS Operations Manager

Location: Vancouver

Type of Contract: Permanent, Full Time

Start Date: ASAP

Salary: $60,000 - $72,000 depending on experience

Who we are: Oxford International

Oxford International Education Group is a renowned institution dedicated to providing exceptional educational experiences to international students. With a global presence and a commitment to academic excellence, we strive to empower students to achieve their full potential and thrive in a dynamic, interconnected world. We are proud of our culture and have recently been officially certified as a Great Place to Work !

Job Purpose

We are seeking an experienced IELTS Operations Manager to oversee and optimize all aspects of IELTS testing operations across Western Canada. This includes managing multiple testing centres and venues, ensuring seamless test day execution, maintaining full compliance with British Council standards, and driving operational excellence. This role includes responsibility for staff management, regional performance, customer escalations, and continuous process improvement.

The successful candidate will be a hands-on leader with strong organizational skills, the ability to manage a dispersed team, and experience in high-stakes operations- ideally in testing, education, or large-scale event coordination. This position will be based at our Vancouver office and will require occasional travel within the region.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Management

• Oversee end-to-end IELTS test operations in Western Canada, ensuring secure and efficient delivery.
• Manage logistics including venue booking, staff scheduling, secure material handling, and on-site operations.
• Ensure a seamless candidate experience from registration through to test results.
• Drive continuous improvement across operational processes with a focus on efficiency, scalability, and compliance.

Team Management

• Lead, coach, and develop a regionally distributed team including test day personnel and internal staff.
• Own workforce planning, recruitment, training, performance management, and professional development.
• Build a positive team culture and foster accountability and high performance.

Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Partner with the IELTS Compliance Manager to conduct internal audits, implement risk management protocols, and uphold British Council test integrity standards.
• Ensure all test delivery is fully compliant with regulatory and organizational guidelines.
• Report incidents and ensure corrective actions are taken and documented appropriately.

Financial & Performance Oversight

• Monitor and manage regional budgets including payroll, staffing ratios, and operational expenses.
• Ensure accurate financial reporting and meet month-end reconciliation deadlines.
• Track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to candidate volumes, service quality, and cost control.

Stakeholder & Partner Management

• Act as the main point of contact for British Council, internal leadership, and key partners in the region.
• Handle and resolve all escalated candidate complaints professionally and in a timely manner.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with educational institutions, immigration consultants, venue providers, and regulatory bodies.

Innovation & Change Management

• Lead regional implementation of new British Council systems, processes, and policy updates.
• Identify opportunities for innovation in service delivery, team structure, and customer engagement.

Person Specifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree preferred (Business, Operations Management, Education, or related field). Equivalent experience considered.

Experience

• 2+ years of experience in operational or regional management, ideally in education, testing, or event logistics.
• Prior experience in IELTS operations or standardized English proficiency testing is a strong asset.
• Proven leadership experience managing dispersed teams across multiple locations.

Skills & Attributes:

• Strong leadership, team development, and delegation skills.
• Excellent organizational and logistical capabilities.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
• High attention to detail and strong sense of accountability.
• Effective communication and conflict resolution skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with testing software is an asset.
• Ability to travel regionally and work flexible hours including occasional weekends.

This job description is provided as a guide to the role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive description of duties and responsibilities and may be subject to periodic revision.

Oxford International is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Recruitment checks, including checks with past employees, are undertaken in accordance with our Recruitment and Selection policy.

Oxford International is an equal opportunity employer. Every applicant and employee has the same opportunities regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, or veteran status.