Job Introduction
DAY SAIL SKIPPER
Location: Vounaki Beachclub Sailing Centre, Paleros, Greece
Season: April – November
Qualifications Required: Minimum RYA Day Skipper Practical or recognised equivalent (see details below)
Eligibility: UK & EU passport holders
Salary: £1,030 PCM gross, plus shared 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.
In a Nutshell
- Spend your season skippering full and half-day sailing experiences from our Vounaki Beachclub in Greece.
- Take guests out on the water and help them discover some incredible local sailing.
- Combine strong seamanship with brilliant guest interaction in a role carrying real responsibility.
- Build valuable professional sailing experience while developing your confidence, decision-making and people skills.
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 great personalities as well as great CVs – people who are enthusiastic, adaptable, considerate, hard-working, willing to learn and ready to play their part in a close-knit team.
Many of our specialist roles require professional qualifications before you can join us, but you don’t necessarily need to arrive with years of experience behind you.
If you’ve got the right foundations, attitude and qualifications, we’ll give you the opportunity to turn what you’ve learned into genuine professional experience while continuing to develop throughout your season.
Whether Neilson becomes part of a long-term sailing career or simply one brilliant chapter before whatever comes next, you’ll build skills, confidence and experience that will stay with you long after the season ends.
About You
You’re a capable and confident sailor who enjoys being around people just as much as being out on the water.
You’re comfortable taking responsibility for a yacht and the guests onboard, with the judgement to make sensible decisions and the maturity to remain calm when conditions or plans change.
You’ll also know how to make a day on the water feel special.
Some guests may want to get involved and learn more about sailing; others may simply want to relax and enjoy the experience. You’ll read the group, adapt your approach and help everyone get the most from their day.
You’re personable, organised, safety-conscious and happy working independently, while still being a strong team player ashore.
You don’t need to arrive with years of professional skippering behind you. If you’ve built good practical sailing experience, have the required qualification and are ready to take the next step, this is a fantastic opportunity to develop.
Most importantly, you’ll understand that good seamanship and great guest service go hand in hand.
Role Overview
As a Day Sail Skipper, you’ll take responsibility for delivering safe, enjoyable and memorable full and half-day sailing experiences for Neilson guests.
You’ll manage the yacht and everyone onboard throughout the trip, adapting the experience to suit different levels of sailing knowledge, confidence and interest.
You’ll help guests discover the local sailing area, share practical knowledge where appropriate and create a relaxed, professional and welcoming atmosphere throughout the day.
Alongside your time on the water, you’ll support the wider Yacht Team with yacht preparation, housekeeping, equipment care, guest briefings and the smooth day-to-day operation of the centre.
It’s a brilliant role for someone looking to turn their sailing qualification and practical experience into genuine professional skippering experience.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Deliver safe, enjoyable and memorable full and half-day sailing experiences.
- Take responsibility for guest safety, welfare and enjoyment while onboard.
- Operate in line with Neilson procedures, the Yacht programme and relevant local requirements.
- Adapt each sailing experience around guest ability, confidence and expectations.
- Encourage guests to get involved with sailing where appropriate.
- Provide practical sailing guidance and information in a clear, engaging way.
- Maintain effective communication with the Yacht Manager and wider Yacht Team.
- Assist with the maintenance, housekeeping and presentation of yachts.
- Help make sure marina, yacht and operational areas consistently meet Neilson standards.
- Assist guests with the set-up, use and pack-down of equipment and facilities.
- Maintain the highest standards of health, safety and professional practice.
- Advise guests on the safe and practical use of yachts, equipment and facilities.
- Take appropriate responsibility for the maintenance, repair, security and care of Neilson equipment.
- Build positive relationships with guests and provide exceptional customer service.
- Respond calmly and professionally to challenges both at sea and ashore.
- Support guest briefings, social events and wider Yacht Team activities.
- Assist with airport transfers, arrivals and departures, creating a positive first and last impression of Neilson.
- Support other departments and the wider resort operation when required.
Skills & Experience
You’ll be great at this if you…
- Have proven practical experience skippering yachts.
- Have strong sailing knowledge and a sound understanding of associated safety procedures.
- Are confident taking responsibility for a yacht and the guests onboard.
- Enjoy working with people and creating memorable guest experiences.
- Communicate clearly and confidently with different personalities and levels of sailing experience.
- Can read a group and adapt the experience around what guests want from their day.
- Can think on your feet and solve problems when circumstances change.
- Have strong organisational and time-management skills.
- Have good awareness of on-water safety and rescue procedures.
- Are mature, professional and dependable.
- Have good judgement and take responsibility seriously.
- Have a strong work ethic and are willing to support the wider operation.
- Are adaptable, resilient and calm under pressure.
- Work well independently and as part of a close-knit team.
- Are willing to listen, learn and continue developing your sailing and professional skills.
- Can confidently communicate in English.
It’d be a bonus if you also have…
- Previous customer service or guest-facing experience.
- Experience in a leadership or supervisory role.
- Previous flotilla, charter, instructional or sailing holiday experience.
- Knowledge of the sailing and wider watersports industry.
- Previous overseas or seasonal experience.
- Additional relevant sailing qualifications.
- Additional European language skills.
Qualifications
Before joining Neilson as a Day Sail Skipper, you’ll need:
- Minimum RYA Day Skipper Practical qualification or recognised equivalent.
- Valid First Aid certificate meeting the requirements of your relevant sailing qualification.
- Valid VHF Licence.
- Valid International Certificate of Competence (ICC).
- Active RYA membership if your qualifications are issued by the RYA.
We also welcome applications from candidates holding recognised Irish, European or international sailing qualifications that may be equivalent to our requirements. Please provide full details of your certification within your application so we can review it.
For further guidance, please click here: Yacht Qualification Guidance
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 the qualification and your expected completion date within your application.
First Aid Requirements
A valid First Aid certificate meeting the requirements of your relevant sailing qualification is mandatory for the Day Sail Skipper 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 your season, you’ll need to complete an appropriate renewal before your start date.
If you’re currently booked onto or planning to complete the required First Aid qualification before your start date, you can still apply – just provide the details and expected completion date within your application.
ONLINE-ONLY FIRST AID COURSES ARE NOT ACCEPTED
For further information about Neilson’s First Aid requirements, please click here: First Aid Guidance
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.
- Shared staff accommodation, so you’re right at the heart of resort life and part of the team from day one.
- 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.
