Job Introduction
FLOTILLA SKIPPER
Location: Vounaki Beachclub Sailing Centre, Paleros, Greece
Season: April – November
Qualifications Required: Minimum RYA Yachtmaster Offshore (Commercially Endorsed) or recognised equivalent (see details below)
Eligibility: UK & EU passport holders
Salary: £1,760 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
- Lead unforgettable flotilla holidays through some spectacular sailing grounds.
- Take responsibility for guest safety, flotilla operations and the experience of the guests sailing with you.
- Lead, support and develop your flotilla crew while working closely with the wider Neilson Yacht Team.
- Combine serious seamanship and responsibility with one of the most sociable and rewarding roles in our sailing operation.
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 and ready to play their part in a close-knit team.
For our leadership roles, we’re also looking for people who others naturally trust and respond to. You’ll need the confidence to make decisions, the resilience to deal with challenges and the emotional intelligence to support both guests and colleagues when things don’t quite go to plan.
Many of our specialist roles require professional qualifications before you can join us, but we also recognise that experience comes in different forms. We’ll give you support, responsibility and opportunities to continue developing throughout your season.
About You
You’re an experienced and capable skipper who combines strong seamanship with natural leadership and a genuine enjoyment of working with people.
You’re confident taking responsibility, making decisions and remaining calm when circumstances change. At the same time, you’re approachable, engaging and able to create the relaxed, sociable atmosphere that makes a great flotilla holiday so memorable.
You understand that leading a flotilla isn’t simply about getting yachts safely from one destination to another. It’s about looking after people.
Some guests will be highly experienced sailors. Others may be on their first sailing holiday or feeling nervous about manoeuvring a yacht in unfamiliar waters. You’ll know when to advise, when to reassure, when to step in and when to let people enjoy the satisfaction of doing it themselves.
You’ll also be responsible for your flotilla crew. You’ll set standards, communicate clearly, support their development and create a team environment where people work hard, look after one another and enjoy what they do.
Role Overview
As Flotilla Skipper, you’ll take overall responsibility for delivering safe, enjoyable and memorable Neilson flotilla holidays.
Working alongside your flotilla crew and the wider Yacht Team, you’ll oversee guest safety and welfare, daily flotilla operations, route planning, briefings, team performance and the overall guest experience.
You’ll spend your season working with the Neilson yacht fleet, supporting guests as they explore the local sailing area and helping them get the very best from their time on the water.
You’ll be the person guests look to when they need information, reassurance or assistance, and the person your crew look to for leadership and direction.
You’ll also manage the practical side of the operation, including flotilla spending, relationships with local suppliers and service providers, equipment standards and communication with the Yacht Manager.
It’s a role carrying significant responsibility, but also one with huge potential to create exceptional experiences for both guests and the people working alongside you.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Lead all aspects of Neilson flotilla holidays in accordance with company procedures, the Neilson programme and relevant local regulations.
- Take overall responsibility for guest safety, welfare and enjoyment throughout the flotilla experience.
- Deliver safe, enjoyable and memorable sailing holidays for guests across a range of sailing abilities.
- Support the Day Sail programme and skipper full and half-day Day Sail trips as required.
- Lead by example and create a professional, positive and supportive flotilla environment.
- Lead, support and develop flotilla crew members throughout the season.
- Identify opportunities to coach, mentor and develop members of your team.
- Deliver clear, engaging and informative guest briefings.
- Support guests according to their sailing experience, ability and confidence.
- Respond calmly and professionally to operational challenges both at sea and ashore.
- Maintain effective communication with the Yacht Manager and wider Yacht Team.
- Manage flotilla spending and accounts within agreed budgets and procedures.
- Build and maintain positive working relationships with local suppliers and service providers.
- Help ensure marina, yacht and operational areas consistently meet Neilson standards.
- Assist guests with the set-up, use and pack-down of relevant 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.
- Organise and host social events, guest activities and flotilla gatherings.
- Create an inclusive and sociable atmosphere that helps guests get the most from their flotilla experience.
- Build positive relationships with guests while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
- 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 experience skippering yachts.
- Have previous leadership, supervisory or team responsibility.
- Combine strong seamanship with excellent judgement and decision-making.
- Have a mature and professional approach to responsibility.
- Can lead confidently while remaining approachable and supportive.
- Communicate clearly with guests, colleagues and local partners.
- Enjoy working with people and creating memorable guest experiences.
- Are organised and comfortable managing several operational priorities at once.
- Can think on your feet and solve problems under pressure.
- Remain calm and resilient when plans or conditions change.
- Can deliver fun, engaging, safe and informative sailing experiences.
- Have strong coaching and mentoring skills.
- Have good awareness of on-water safety and rescue procedures.
- Have a strong work ethic and are prepared to get stuck in when the operation needs it.
- Are considerate and empathetic when supporting guests or team members who need reassurance.
- Can confidently communicate and instruct in English.
- Can work independently while also leading and contributing to a wider team.
It’d be a bonus if you also have…
- Previous flotilla leadership experience.
- Experience managing budgets and operational resources.
- Previous sailing holiday, charter or instructional experience.
- Experience developing, coaching or mentoring team members.
- Knowledge of the sailing and wider watersports industry.
- Previous overseas or seasonal experience.
- Previous hospitality, travel or guest-facing experience.
- Additional relevant sailing qualifications.
- Additional European language skills.
Qualifications
Before joining Neilson as a Flotilla Skipper, you’ll need:
- Minimum RYA Yachtmaster Offshore – Commercially Endorsed – or recognised equivalent.
- Valid First Aid certificate meeting the relevant requirements of your sailing qualification.
- Valid RYA membership if you hold an RYA qualification.
- VHF Licence.
- Valid International Certificate of Competence (ICC).
We also welcome applications from candidates holding recognised Irish, European or international sailing qualifications that are equivalent to RYA Yachtmaster Offshore – Commercially Endorsed.
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.
