Assistant Director of Studies,

Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain

(SPX-A-769) Role Profile
Job Description
Job Title

Assistant Director of Studies, Alcobendas

Directorate or Region

EU

Department/Country

Spain

Location of post

Alcobendas,
Madrid

Pay Band

Local ADOS scale

Reports to

TCM Madrid
Adults

Duration of job

2 years initially

Purpose of Job:
To enhance the image & impact of the British Councils teaching operation in Spain by the effective
management of the Alcobendas centre ensuring it continues to be a leader in the field of ELT, thereby
contributing to the British Councils wider strategy for Spain as set out in the country plan.

Context and Environment:

The British Council in Alcobendas is a branch of the Madrid Adults Teaching Centre. The centre delivers
approximately 8,000 class hours a year. There are 9 classrooms (all with IWBs) as well as a library
(computers, magazines, DVDs, fiction /reference books, a range of English self access materials
including audio, readers etc). The operation works closely with other centres in Madrid and Spain. There
are 3 terms between October and June and a 4 week summer course in July. As well as the ADOS, the
TC Team consists of: 13 teachers, 1 Senior Teacher, 1 Customer Service Manager and 1 Customer
Service Assistant. There are approximately 850 students/term and classes take place between Monday
to Saturday.
Adult classes are mainly General and Exam English and are 30 hours termly (once or twice a week). We
do not deliver any offsite work currently but are investigating the possibility. Adult students make up
approximately 1/3 of our students.
Young Learners classes are annual 90 hour courses (plus a 100 hour summer course in the month of
July). They divide into Seniors (14-17), Juniors (10-13) and Primaries (7-9) (also once or twice a week).

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Responsibilities

1.

Academic and operational Management

2.

Management of resources and systems

3.

Client relations and marketing

4.

HR management

Main Duties

1 of 5

Resourcing team June 2013

1. Academic and Operational Management

-

Teacher recruitment in conjunction with other centres in Madrid

Student and teacher timetabling

Providing academic leadership for centre

Teacher observation
Appropriate implementation of course programmes and syllabuses

Ensuring that testing and evaluation processes work effectively

Supervising preparation for TQS reviews

2. Management of resources and systems

-

Managing the branch to agreed financial targets

Effectively managing student services, registration and administrative systems including

supervision of the registration process and signing off of income reconciliations

Ensuring that the centre is well resourced and that the resources are effectively used; approving
purchases and payments within agreed Approval Limits (10k)

Monitoring and reporting on performance and risk

Ensuring centre meets Spanish H & S standards and that the environment is appropriate for
internal and external clients with particular consideration given to YL students

3. Client relations and Marketing

-

Drawing up MAP for the Alcobendas centre (which feeds into main centre MAP)
Ensuring the centres information provision for clients is timely, effective and relevant

Ensuring the centre has effective procedures for gathering client feedback, responding to
suggestions, complaints and disciplinary issues
Making sure that appropriate high quality resources are made available to the students

4. Human Resources Management

-

Line management of the branch's staff (Senior Teacher, Registrar and a number of teachers
following the Teachers Learning and Development system)
Overall responsibility for staff training and development

Ensuring non-contact time is used effectively

Preparing information and keeping appropriate records for personnel purposes (payments, leave
etc.)

Induction and mentoring of new staff

Staff welfare

First point of contact with Alcobendas staff representative (delegado de personal)

5. Teaching
- Teaching up to a maximum of 12 contact hours per week
-

Substituting classes when necessary to ensure no classes are cancelled

Key Relationships:
-

TCM Madrid Adults and Madrid Adults Resources Co-ordinator.

2 of 5

Resourcing team June 2013

Other branch managers and MM in Madrid and Spain

Oversee communications with students and parents

Help the centre develop relationships with the local community

Other important features or requirements of the job

Due to the centres opening hours (14.30 22.00) the post holder will be expected to work late. Weekend
work (Saturday mornings) may be required.

Please specify any passport/visa and/or nationality requirement

Permission to work in EU

Please indicate if UK Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks are

required for this role

Yes

Person Specification
Essential

Behaviours

Desirable

MAKING IT HAPPEN

Assessment
stage
Interview

I deliver excellent results, achieve

challenging goals and develop myself
and others. I do this by setting clear and
demanding objectives to deliver what is
required. I stay focused
on measurable outcomes, while building
longer-term capability. I demonstrate
standards of excellence and deliver value
for money. I measure progress and adapt
plans when necessary.

Performance
evaluations

More Demanding
Challenging myself and others to
deliver and measure better results
CONNECTING WITH OTHERS
I find common ground and build
relationships and connections to support
British Council goals. I do this by building
trust with others, by paying attention to
their concerns and needs, and showing
that I understand their interests. I achieve
understanding and trust in a culturally

3 of 5

Resourcing team June 2013

sensitive way whatever my role.

More demanding
Actively appreciating the needs and
concerns of myself and others
SHAPING THE FUTURE
I achieve better business, innovation and
growth by using my professionalism,
knowledge and expertise to create a
clear focus on what I want to achieve.
I spot opportunities, plan appropriately
and create innovative solutions that
recognise ambiguity and deliver business
benefit.
More demanding
Exploring ways in which we can add
more value
Creating Shared Purpose (more
demanding) For PM only
Working Together
(more demanding) For PM only
Being Accountable
(more demanding) For PM only
Marketing and Customer Service
Skills and
Knowledge

Computer skills
Application form

Understanding customer needs Level

2
Establishes systems to collect and
analyse customer and market information
Responding to customer needs level 2
Plans and supports a service approach
that balances a personalised delivery
with business needs.
Investigates service delivery and
provides solutions to any
problems/issues.

Working knowledge of
BC SAP reporting
applications
Campus management
Month End Management
reports
GPS Planning reports
Profit Centre reports
WBS reports

Languages
Business Management Spanish
Market Analysis and Business
Intelligence (Level 1)
Understands the importance of market
analysis and is aware of market trends,

4 of 5

Ability to work effectively

in Spanish (B2
equivalent)

Resourcing team June 2013

Interview
Performance
evaluation

including competitor activity.

Collects and uses relevant quantitative
and qualitative data on the target
audience or market.
Contributes to the identification and
analysis of needs for existing and new
markets, clients, partners and customers.
Product and Service Development
(Level 1)
Understands the need to develop and/or
commission new products, services and
solutions that support the delivery of
corporate objectives and meet
stakeholder and customer needs.

Experience

Academic management
Proven ability to contribute to and
develop pedagogical activities for
students such as syllabus design,
timetabling, course planning;

Application
Interview

Undertaking teacher observations,

teacher training; line management of
teachers and support staff;
Active contribution to overall running of
teaching centre
Active contribution to overall running of
academic programmes
Trinity DipTESOL or Cambridge DELTA

Application

Qualificatio
ns

Submitted by

Guy Heath

Date

5 of 5

24 June 2013

Resourcing team June 2013

Assistant Director of Studies,

Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain
(SPX-A-769) Vacancy Information
Teacher Recruitment Unit, HR, British Council, 10 Spring Gardens, London, SW1A 2BN, UK
E: teachthere@britishcouncil.org

Section A
Information about the vacancy
Recruitment Responsibility
Location
Job Title
Start Date
Advertise job

TCM Madrid Adults

Alcobendas, Madrid
ADOS
September 2013
internal

Date
Job code
Job Type
Closing Date
Number of posts

24 June 2013
SPX-A-769
MM2A
8 July 2013
1

Advert Text including job Specific skills, knowledge, qualifications & experience

The British Council in Madrid is seeking an Assistant Director of Studies to run the Alcobendas teaching centre to begin in
September 2013. You will join a team committed to quality with a strong ELT background in a thriving centre in Madrid,
Spain. You will also working with a much larger team in Madrid and across Spain. Your post will involve ensuring we
deliver the highest quality ELT and associated services to students. You will lead on academic and operational
management, management of resources and systems, marketing and customer service and HR management. For more
information about the post contact Greg Gobel at greg.gobel@britishcouncil.es
The British Council is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and is keen to reflect diversity of UK society at every level
within the organisation. We welcome applications from all sections of the community. We guarantee an interview to
disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria.

Local restrictions on employment (if any)

Applicants must be EU nationals or have the right to work in the EU.

The United Kingdoms international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.
Page 1 of 4
Updated: June 2013

Assistant Director of Studies,

Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain
(SPX-A-769) Vacancy Information
Section B and C
Information about the Teaching Centre: a brief overview and Job Overview
Location and facilities
The British Council in Alcobendas is technically a branch of the Madrid Adults centre, but with 850 students it is really a
centre in its own right. It is located in the town of Alcobendas, to the north of the capital on the busy high street. The
building is modern and is on one floor at ground level. There are 9 classrooms and a small library (computers, magazines,
DVDs, fiction /reference books, a range of English self access materials including audio, readers etc). Of the 850
students, approximately two thirds are Young Learners.
Academic Year
September to July (August closed). There are 3 x 11 week terms and a 4-week summer course. At the end of each term
there is a training / registration period. There is normally at least a weeks holiday between each term, 2 weeks at
Christmas and 4 weeks in August.
The TC Team

13 teachers

3 co-ordinators
1 Senior Teacher
Assistant Director of Studies
1 Customer Service Manager and 1 Customer Service Assistant

Students

Adult classes are mainly General and Exam English. We do not deliver any offsite work currently. Adult students make
up approximately 1/3 of our students.

Young Learners classes are only General English Seniors (14-17), Juniors (10-13), Primaries (7-9)
Class hours
Adult classes are 30 hours / term, YLs 90 / year. Classes are either 2 x 1.5 hrs/week or 3 hrs /week.
Monday to Thursday timetable starts at 16.05 and finish at 21.55
Friday timetable starts at 14.45 and finish at 21.00
Saturday classes start at 10.00 and finish at 13.00
Courses, syllabus, assessment and materials
All courses are organised by levels (Beginner to CPE) and use standard course books. Courses are based on completing
set Learning aims and following a standard learner journey. Assessment is based on skills work which contribute to
learning and not tests. Supplementary materials are clearly organised on a front office drive for ease of access. We have
a collection of videos/DVDs and resources to supplement our courses.

Teaching
staff (FT)

13

Teaching
staff (PT)

Total no.
students

850

Maximum
class size

12

Total no.
classrooms

The United Kingdoms international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.
Page 2 of 4
Updated: June 2013

Assistant Director of Studies,

Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain
(SPX-A-769) Vacancy Information
Section C
Information about the terms and conditions of service (TACOS).
Whilst the information below was accurate at time of writing, specific details and entitlements are
subject to change.
Contract Length
Contract Type
Contract Hours

Initial appointment is for

2 years
Locally engaged
37.5 hours per week

Renewable Period

By mutual agreement

No. of Staff Managed

Contact Hours

Up to 7
Up to 400 hours per
year (but expected to
be considerably less)

Annual Salary
The gross monthly salary is in the range of 3,183.81 to 3,708.60 and is payable 15 times per annum. A transport bonus
(11 payments per annum) is payable at 120.20.
An annual increment, currently valued at 1.5%, will be paid on the first day of the month nearest to the anniversary of the
post holders appointment, for each year of satisfactory service in the teaching centre.

Income Tax & National Insurance

The salary and all allowances are subject to taxes and social security deductions levied by the Government of Spain.

Fares & Travel

If the post holder is recruited away from his/her current place of residence, at the beginning of appointment the British
Council will pay economy class airfares, or rail or bus fares as appropriate, for the post holder and his/her family* to post.
On successful completion of the appointment, the British Council will pay economy class airfares, or rail or bus fares as
appropriate, for the post holder and his/her family from post back to the previous place of residence. The Council will at its
discretion also reimburse the post holder with other incidental travelling expenses necessarily incurred. Should the post
holder be travelling to the post by any other routes or means of travel, the equivalent of economy class airfares may be
paid.
*For the purposes of this document, family means the post holders legally married spouse; or the person with whom the
post holder shares a long term relationship resembling marriage (a partner); and those unmarried children under 18 years
of age who are living with the post holder immediately before the post holder takes up this appointment. They must be
children for whose maintenance the post holder is responsible, whether a child or stepchild of the post holder or a child
legally adopted by the post holder.

Baggage Allowance
Accountable allowance
If the post holder is recruited away from his/her current place of residence, the British Council will pay up to 1,200 on
presentation of receipts, at the beginning of and on successful completion of the appointment. If the post holders
dependents travel to live with him/her, the post holder may claim up to 2,000 on presentation of receipts.

Annual Leave Allowance

Post holders are entitled to annual leave at the rat e of 35 w orking days for each year of service. Leave w ill be
taken at times stipulated by the centre manager.
Post holders are entitled to receive local official holidays as determined by the Spanish authorities. Post holders are also
entitled to take additional British Council privilege holidays awarded to staff in Spain.
The carry over of leave from one year to the next may be agreed by the centre manager, for operational reasons only,
and must be applied for a reasonable period in advance.

The United Kingdoms international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.
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Updated: June 2013

Assistant Director of Studies,

Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain
(SPX-A-769) Vacancy Information
Medical Allowance
Spanish social security benefits apply.

Settling-In Allowance
A settling in allowance of equivalent to 2 weeks net salary to help you to meet your initial expenses on first arrival in
Spain. Teachers with families will receive a settling in allowance equivalent to 3 weeks salary.
You may also receive up to two weeks hotel accommodation and up to two weeks subsistence while looking for suitable
accommodation where appropriate if accommodation is not provided on arrival.

Accommodation Allowance
N/A

Any Other Allowances

N/A

Additional Information
Recognition of previous service
Service in one British Council centre at the same level will be recognised as of equivalent value to service in the new
centre

The United Kingdoms international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.
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Updated: June 2013