Job Introduction
FLOTILLA MATE
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
- Join the Neilson Yacht Team and help deliver safe, sociable and memorable flotilla holidays from our Vounaki Beachclub in Greece.
- Work alongside an experienced Flotilla Skipper and build valuable professional sailing and guest-service experience.
- Become one of the most visible members of the flotilla team, supporting guests both afloat and ashore.
- Take the first step on a clear Yacht Team progression pathway.
Career Progression: Flotilla Mate → Day Sail Skipper → Flotilla Skipper
About Us
For almost 50 years, Neilson has been creating unforgettable active holidays in some incredible Beach Club destinations.
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 years of experience behind you. We’ll give you the support, training and real-world experience to continue developing 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 sailor with a great attitude, plenty of energy and a genuine enjoyment of working with people.
You’ll be confident enough to support guests with practical sailing questions and day-to-day flotilla life, while also knowing when to involve the Flotilla Skipper or another more experienced member of the Yacht Team.
You’re organised, approachable and happy getting stuck into whatever the day throws at you. One minute you might be helping guests with a yacht or equipment issue, the next hosting a social event or supporting a briefing.
You’ll need good judgement, a mature approach and strong safety awareness, but you don’t need to arrive as the finished article.
This role is a brilliant opportunity to build experience alongside experienced sailing professionals and develop towards more senior Yacht Team positions.
Role Overview
As a Flotilla Mate, you’ll work closely with the Flotilla Skipper to help deliver safe, enjoyable and memorable sailing holidays.
You’ll be one of the main points of contact for guests throughout the flotilla experience, helping them settle in, supporting day-to-day sailing activities and creating the sociable, welcoming atmosphere that makes flotilla holidays so enjoyable.
You’ll also support the practical operation – yacht presentation, equipment, guest briefings, local arrangements and anything else needed to keep the flotilla running smoothly.
This is a varied role with plenty of responsibility, but also plenty of support. It’s designed to give you valuable flotilla and guest-facing experience while helping you develop towards Day Sail Skipper and, potentially, Flotilla Skipper roles in future seasons.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Support the Flotilla Skipper in delivering safe, enjoyable and memorable flotilla holidays.
- Act as a welcoming, approachable and professional point of contact for guests.
- Support guest safety, welfare and overall enjoyment throughout the flotilla experience.
- Help guests settle into flotilla life and feel confident with the programme and daily routines.
- Assist with guest briefings, activities and practical sailing support.
- Respond positively and professionally to guest questions and day-to-day challenges.
- Support the Day Sail programme and skipper full and half-day Day Sail trips as required.
- Support the maintenance, housekeeping and presentation of flotilla yachts.
- Help maintain high standards across marina, yacht and operational areas.
- Assist guests with the set-up, use and pack-down of equipment and facilities.
- Maintain effective communication with the Flotilla Skipper, Yacht Manager and wider Yacht Team.
- Build positive working relationships with local suppliers and service providers where required.
- Maintain high standards of health, safety and professional practice.
- Advise guests on the safe and practical use of equipment and facilities within your level of competence.
- Take appropriate responsibility for the maintenance, security and care of Neilson equipment.
- Organise and host social events, guest gatherings and flotilla activities.
- Help create an inclusive, sociable and welcoming atmosphere for guests.
- 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 strong practical sailing knowledge and a good understanding of associated safety procedures.
- Enjoy working with people and creating brilliant guest experiences.
- Are approachable, confident and happy talking to guests from different backgrounds.
- Have a mature and professional approach to responsibility.
- Are organised and comfortable juggling different priorities.
- Can think on your feet and solve practical problems.
- Have good awareness of on-water safety and rescue procedures.
- Are willing to learn and take feedback positively.
- Have a strong work ethic and are happy to get stuck in.
- Are adaptable, resilient and calm when things change.
- Work well independently and as part of a close-knit team.
- Can confidently communicate in English.
It’d be a bonus if you also have…
- Previous customer service or guest-facing experience.
- Previous flotilla, charter, instructional or sailing holiday experience.
- Experience in a leadership or supervisory role.
- 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 Flotilla Mate, you’ll need:
- Minimum RYA Day Skipper Practical qualification or recognised equivalent.
- Valid First Aid certificate meeting the relevant requirements of your sailing qualification.
- Valid VHF Licence.
- Valid International Certificate of Competence (ICC).
- Valid RYA membership if you hold an RYA qualification.
We also welcome applications from candidates holding recognised Irish, European or international sailing qualifications that are equivalent to RYA Day Skipper Practical.
If you hold an equivalent qualification, please provide full details within your application so these can be considered.
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 a required qualification before your start date, please go ahead and apply and provide details of the qualification and your expected completion date within your application.
If you’re looking to gain the qualifications required for this role, further training information is available here: UKSA
First Aid Requirements
A valid First Aid certificate meeting the relevant requirements of your sailing qualification is mandatory and must remain valid throughout your contract.
If you hold an RYA qualification, your First Aid certification must meet the relevant RYA requirements.
The First Aid certification associated with an RYA yacht qualification is normally valid for three years. We’ll validate your certification as part of the onboarding process.
If your existing qualification has expired, you’ll need to complete an appropriate First Aid course before your start date.
If you haven’t yet completed the required First Aid qualification but are booked onto or planning to complete it 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.
