Job Introduction
HEAD BIKE GUIDE
Location: Various Neilson Beach Clubs overseas
Season: April – November
Qualifications Required: Bike Leader Level 2 or recognised equivalent (see details below)
Eligibility: UK & EU passport holders
Salary: £850–£1,000 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 Bike Team and cycling programme at one of our incredible Beach Clubs.
- Combine brilliant riding with hands-on leadership, team development and responsibility for the day-to-day bike operation.
- Take ownership of fleet standards and maintenance while helping less-experienced Bike Guides develop their mechanical skills.
- Spend plenty of time out on the road and trails, helping guests discover fantastic routes and get more from their holiday.
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.
For our Head of Department roles, we’re also looking for people who enjoy helping others develop. You’ll set standards, support your team and lead from the front while still being very much part of the day-to-day operation.
About You
You’re an experienced Bike Leader who loves riding but gets just as much satisfaction from helping other people have a brilliant time on two wheels.
You’ll bring strong guiding experience and the confidence to lead both guests and your Bike Team. You know how to read a group, manage risk, adapt routes and make good decisions when conditions or circumstances change.
You’ll also have sound practical bike maintenance and repair skills. You don’t necessarily need to be a professional bike mechanic, but you do need the knowledge and confidence to take responsibility for the day-to-day maintenance of a busy bike fleet, identify problems and make sure bikes are safe, reliable and ready to ride.
Just as importantly, you’ll be able to share that knowledge. Some members of your team may arrive with less mechanical experience than others, so you’ll need the patience and confidence to train them, build their practical skills and make sure everyone understands the standards expected.
You’re organised, approachable and comfortable taking responsibility, but this definitely isn’t a management role where you’ll spend your season sitting behind a desk.
You’ll lead from the front, regularly getting out on the road or trails alongside your team and guests, creating a positive environment where everyone takes pride in delivering a fantastic cycling programme.
Role Overview
As Head Bike Guide, you’ll take day-to-day ownership of the Neilson Cycling Programme within one of our Beach Clubs.
Working closely with the Activity Manager, you’ll lead your Bike Team and oversee guided rides, staffing, safety, fleet standards, maintenance, programme planning and the overall guest cycling experience.
You’ll take responsibility for ensuring the bike fleet is properly maintained throughout the season and help develop the mechanical knowledge and practical maintenance skills of the Bike Guides working alongside you.
And you’ll still spend plenty of time doing what you love – leading road cycling and/or mountain biking rides and helping guests discover some fantastic local routes.
Behind the scenes, you’ll make sure the programme runs smoothly, your team feels supported, the bikes are safe and ready to ride, and guests have access to a varied programme suitable for different abilities and fitness levels.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Lead, motivate, support and develop the resort Bike Team.
- Take day-to-day ownership of the Neilson Cycling Programme and bike centre operation.
- Plan and deliver safe, enjoyable and ability-appropriate road cycling and/or mountain biking rides.
- Plan the weekly cycling programme around guest demand, routes, conditions and your team’s skills and experience.
- Assess riders and adapt routes, pace and riding appropriately.
- Support guests choosing self-guided routes and provide practical local riding advice.
- Coach and mentor Bike Guides, helping them develop their guiding, technical and guest-service skills.
- Train and support less-experienced Bike Guides in practical bike maintenance and fleet-care procedures.
- Promote the Cycling Programme and encourage guests to get involved.
- Take day-to-day responsibility for the maintenance, repair, security and presentation of the Neilson bike fleet and cycling equipment.
- Make sure bikes are regularly checked, properly maintained, safe, reliable and guest-ready.
- Diagnose common mechanical issues and carry out appropriate maintenance and repairs.
- Monitor maintenance schedules, workshop supplies, spare parts, tools and stock requirements.
- Maintain high standards of cycling safety, route planning, group management and operational risk management.
- Ensure the bike centre, workshop and equipment areas are safe, organised and well presented.
- Advise guests on the safe and practical use of bikes and cycling equipment.
- Maintain appropriate operational records and communicate requirements to the wider management team.
- Support cycling sessions for younger riders alongside the Children’s Activity Team when required.
- Follow all company operating procedures, safeguarding responsibilities and health and safety standards.
- 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…
- Are an experienced and qualified Bike Leader.
- Have strong experience leading guided rides, coaching cyclists or managing riding groups.
- Have experience leading, mentoring, supporting or developing other people.
- Have strong personal cycling experience in road cycling, mountain biking or ideally both.
- Understand cycling safety, group management, route planning and risk management.
- Can confidently adapt rides around different abilities, fitness levels and changing conditions.
- Have sound practical bike maintenance and repair skills.
- Can identify common mechanical problems and carry out appropriate maintenance and repairs.
- Understand what’s required to keep a busy bike fleet safe, reliable and ready for guests.
- Can confidently share your mechanical knowledge and train less-experienced members of your team.
- Are an excellent communicator who can motivate both guests and your team.
- Are highly organised, proactive and comfortable taking responsibility.
- Stay calm under pressure and can make confident, sensible decisions.
- Have a strong work ethic and enjoy being hands-on and leading from the front.
- Are adaptable, supportive and willing to get stuck into wider resort life.
- Have a good standard of spoken English.
It’d be a bonus if you also have…
- Advanced Bike Leader or cycling coaching qualifications.
- Cytech or another recognised bike mechanic qualification.
- Professional bike mechanic or workshop experience.
- Experience managing a large rental or cycling fleet.
- E-Bike maintenance experience.
- Experience managing a team within cycling, outdoor activities, hospitality or active holidays.
- Knowledge of current cycling equipment, technology and industry developments.
- Previous overseas, resort, hospitality or seasonal work experience.
- Additional European language skills.
Qualifications
To be considered for the Head Bike Guide role, you must hold:
- Bike Leader Level 2 or above, or recognised equivalent.
- A valid Outdoor First Aid qualification.
We welcome applications from candidates holding recognised UK and international Bike Leadership qualifications and equivalent certifications.
You’ll also need strong experience leading guided rides or groups, together with previous experience leading, mentoring, training or developing others.
Additional Bike Leadership, coaching or recognised mechanical qualifications are a big advantage and will help strengthen your application.
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.
For full details covering Neilson qualification requirements and recognised equivalents, please click here: List of Accepted Qualifications
Looking at getting qualified? Check out our preferred course provider: MIAS
First Aid Requirements
A valid Outdoor First Aid certificate is mandatory for the Head Bike Guide role.
Your certificate must be in place by your start date and remain valid for the duration of your contract.
If you haven’t yet completed your Outdoor First Aid qualification but are booked onto or planning to complete the required course 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.
- 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.
