Job Introduction
BEACH MANAGER
Location: Various Neilson Beach Clubs overseas
Season: April – November
Qualifications Required: Senior Instructor qualification in Dinghy Sailing and/or Windsurfing, plus Powerboat Level 2 (PB2) and ICC (see details below)
Eligibility: UK & EU passport holders
Salary: £950–£1,300 PCM gross, depending on resort, plus accommodation, meals, flights, and an excellent overall package.
As a UK-based business operating overseas, we’re able to arrange the required visas and work permits for UK and EU passport holders to work legally in our resorts.
As one of our management positions, priority will be given to candidates who are available for the full season.
In a Nutshell
- Lead the Beach Team and watersports operation at one of our incredible Beach Clubs.
- Combine your passion for watersports with hands-on leadership, team development and operational responsibility.
- Take ownership of safety, instruction standards, equipment and the overall guest experience on the beach.
- Spend your summer developing a brilliant team while keeping a busy watersports operation running safely and smoothly.
About Us
For almost 50 years, Neilson has been creating unforgettable active holidays in some incredible Beach Club destinations.
From sailing and watersports to tennis, fitness, biking and much more, our guests are at the centre of everything we do.
We’re looking for enthusiastic, adaptable people with great personalities, a strong work ethic and a genuine passion for creating brilliant holiday experiences.
Our Beach Managers play a huge part in that. You’ll lead one of the most visible teams in resort, creating an environment where guests feel confident getting out on the water and your instructors have the support, leadership and development they need to do a brilliant job.
About You
You’re a highly experienced watersports professional who knows how to run a safe, organised and welcoming beach operation while getting the best from the people around you.
You’ll bring senior watersports qualifications, substantial instructional experience and strong leadership skills.
You understand that running a brilliant beach is about much more than what happens on the water. Equipment, safety, organisation, instructor development, operational standards and the guest experience all need to work together.
You’re confident making decisions, calm when things don’t go to plan and happy taking responsibility in a busy environment.
Most importantly, you lead from the front. You’ll be visible on the beach, approachable to guests and your team and never afraid to get stuck in.
You’ll set high standards, but you’ll also create an environment where people enjoy coming to work, continue learning and develop throughout the season.
Role Overview
As Beach Manager, you’ll take day-to-day ownership of the beach and watersports operation within one of our Beach Clubs.
Working closely with the Activity Manager, you’ll lead your Beach Team and oversee instruction, safety, equipment, staffing, operational procedures and the overall guest experience.
You’ll make sure the operation consistently meets Neilson’s standards while creating an environment where guests feel confident getting out on the water and instructors have the support and development they need.
It’s a demanding but hugely rewarding leadership role, combining your technical watersports expertise with genuine responsibility for people, safety and one of the biggest parts of the Neilson holiday experience.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Lead, motivate, support and develop the Beach Team.
- Take day-to-day ownership of the watersports operation and maintain consistently high standards of instruction, safety and guest service.
- Make sure watersports instruction is delivered safely and to the appropriate syllabus and programme standards.
- Plan staff rotas around instructor qualifications, operating requirements and required ratios.
- Lead daily beach set-up and pack-down, making sure equipment and operational areas are safe and ready for guests.
- Make sure guests are proactively supported when taking part in tuition or using Neilson watersports equipment.
- Maintain high standards of on-water safety, rescue readiness and operational risk management.
- Make sure the beach operates in line with Neilson procedures and relevant local requirements.
- Review and update centre-specific operating procedures when required.
- Monitor operational risks and complete relevant checks, records and reporting.
- Oversee the maintenance, repair, security, storage and presentation of watersports equipment.
- Work closely with the Activity Manager to manage spares, equipment and operational supplies.
- Deliver ongoing coaching, training and development for instructors throughout the season.
- Support resort and beach set-up at the beginning of the season and pack-down at the end.
- Build positive relationships with guests and create a beach environment that is safe, professional, welcoming and fun.
- Support guest briefings, social events, airport transfers and wider resort operations when required.
- Work collaboratively with the wider resort team and lead by example throughout the season.
Skills & Experience
You’ll be great at this if you…
- Hold a recognised Senior Instructor qualification in Dinghy Sailing and/or Windsurfing.
- Have substantial professional watersports instructional experience.
- Have proven experience leading, developing or managing a team.
- Have strong operational knowledge of dinghy sailing and windsurfing activities.
- Understand watersports equipment, maintenance requirements and associated safety procedures.
- Have strong knowledge of on-water rescue procedures and beach safety management.
- Are confident taking responsibility for operational standards and risk management.
- Can organise staffing effectively around qualifications, operating requirements and activity ratios.
- Are an excellent communicator who can build positive relationships with guests and your team.
- Are highly organised and able to manage multiple priorities in a busy environment.
- Stay calm under pressure and make confident, practical decisions.
- Have a strong work ethic and take pride in maintaining high standards.
- Know how to support, motivate and develop the people around you.
- Are approachable, considerate and a strong team player.
- Enjoy being hands-on and leading from the front.
- Have a good standard of spoken English.
It’d be a bonus if you also have…
- Intermediate Planing Windsurf Instructor qualifications.
- Advanced Windsurf Instructor qualifications.
- Foiling Dinghy or Windsurf Instructor qualifications.
- Additional recognised watersports qualifications.
- Previous experience managing an overseas watersports centre or beach operation.
- Previous overseas, resort, hospitality or seasonal work experience.
- Additional European language skills.
Qualifications
To join us as a Beach Manager, you’ll need to hold:
- Senior Instructor qualification in Dinghy Sailing and/or Windsurfing, or recognised equivalent.
- Powerboat Level 2 (PB2), or recognised equivalent.
- International Certificate of Competence (ICC), or recognised equivalent where applicable.
- Active RYA membership if your qualifications are issued by the RYA.
Additional watersports qualifications are highly desirable, particularly if you hold senior qualifications across both Dinghy Sailing and Windsurfing.
We also welcome applications from candidates holding recognised international or equivalent watersports qualifications.
For further guidance, please click here: Accepted Qualifications
You do not need to have completed every required qualification before submitting your application.
If you’re currently working towards, booked onto or planning to complete one of the required qualifications before your start date, please go ahead and apply and provide details of your qualification and expected completion date within your application.
First Aid Requirements
A First Aid certificate meeting the relevant requirements of your watersports qualification is mandatory for the Beach Manager role.
Your certificate must be in place by your start date and remain valid for the duration of your contract.
If your existing First Aid certificate will expire before or during the season, you’ll need to renew it before your start date.
ONLINE-ONLY FIRST AID COURSES ARE NOT ACCEPTED
For further information about Neilson’s First Aid requirements, please click here: First Aid Guidance
Commission
Alongside your monthly salary, you’ll have the opportunity to earn end-of-contract commission based on overall team income from selected extras.
What’s in it for you?
Joining Neilson is more than just a summer job. It’s an opportunity to challenge yourself, develop new skills, build confidence, experience incredible destinations, and become part of a close-knit team creating unforgettable holidays every day.
The experience, resilience, and people skills you’ll develop along the way will stay with you long after the season ends – wherever life takes you next.
Alongside the experience, you’ll get:
- A paid seasonal role in an incredible overseas destination.
- Your own room within staff accommodation, which may be within a shared apartment or staff block.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner while on duty, so your meals are taken care of.
- Travel to and from resort, subject to staff travel policy.
- Use of selected resort facilities in your spare time, so you can enjoy the destination too.
- Friends and family holiday discounts, giving the people at home the chance to experience Neilson for themselves.
- Comprehensive training and ongoing support to help you settle in, develop your skills and make the most of your season.
- Opportunities to gain additional qualifications through the Neilson Academy.
- Career development opportunities through our Jump Up and Jump Higher programmes.
- Visa and work permit support where applicable.
- Role-specific uniform provided.
- One day off each week, plus accrued holiday.
- Emergency medical and dental insurance.
- 24/7 independent mental health support.
It’s a season that gives you more than a payslip – you’ll come home with new skills, new friends, incredible memories and an experience that stays with you long after you’ve left resort.
Please note: All Neilson Active employees are required to complete a DBS check as part of our safer recruitment process.
