Job Introduction
WATERSKI - WAKEBOARD MANAGER
Location: Various Neilson Beach Clubs overseas
Season: April – November
Qualifications Required: British Water Ski & Wakeboard UKCC Level 2 Instructor + Ski Boat Driver Award (SBD2), or recognised equivalents
Eligibility: UK & EU passport holders
Salary: £900 – £1,025 PCM gross, depending on resort + end-of-contract commission, 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 Waterski & Wakeboard operation at one of our incredible Beach Clubs and spend your summer doing what you love.
You’ll manage and develop a team of instructors and ski boat drivers, oversee the safe and smooth running of the Waterski Centre and make sure our guests receive brilliant coaching and unforgettable experiences on the water.
You’ll still spend plenty of time coaching, driving and getting out on the water yourself – but you’ll also be the person your team looks to for leadership, support, good judgement and consistently high standards.
About Us
For almost 50 years, Neilson Active Holidays has been creating holidays where people can relax, get active, try something new and have a seriously good time doing it.
Our award-winning Beach Clubs combine fantastic locations with an incredible choice of activities, delivered by people who genuinely love what they do.
Waterskiing and Wakeboarding are a huge part of the Neilson experience, and our Waterski & Wakeboard Managers play a key role in making sure the programme is safe, professional, welcoming and great fun.
About You
You’re an experienced Waterski and/or Wakeboard Instructor who’s ready to take responsibility for the people and operation around you.
You might already have management or team leadership experience, or you could be an experienced instructor who naturally supports other coaches and is ready to make the step up.
You’ll be confident, energetic, approachable and organised, with strong coaching and operational knowledge and the maturity to make good decisions when it matters.
You know how to create a hard-working, supportive team where people enjoy what they do, learn from each other and maintain high standards.
You’ll lead by example, get stuck in alongside your team and still genuinely love coaching guests and being out on the water.
Role Overview
As Waterski & Wakeboard Manager, you’ll take responsibility for the overall day-to-day operation of the Waterski Centre.
Working closely with the Activity Manager and wider resort management team, you’ll lead and develop your instructors and ski boat drivers while overseeing coaching standards, boat operations, safety, equipment and guest experience.
This is a hands-on management role. You’ll coach, drive and support daily operations alongside your team while making sure the programme runs safely, efficiently and professionally.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Lead, motivate, support and develop the Waterski & Wakeboard Team throughout the season.
- Create a positive, professional, hard-working and supportive team environment.
- Oversee the safe and efficient day-to-day operation of the Waterski Centre.
- Deliver outstanding Waterski and Wakeboard coaching in line with BWSW standards and the Neilson programme.
- Maintain consistently high coaching standards across the team.
- Coach guests across a wide range of abilities, from complete beginners to more experienced skiers and riders.
- Train and develop instructors and ski boat drivers through practical training, mentoring, feedback and knowledge sharing.
- Maintain excellent standards of boat operation, watersports safety and risk management.
- Monitor operating and weather conditions and make appropriate decisions around programme delivery and guest safety.
- Make sure emergency procedures and operational protocols are understood and followed by the team.
- Oversee the maintenance, security, cleanliness and presentation of boats, watersports equipment, pontoons and operational areas.
- Make sure guests receive clear, engaging safety briefings and appropriate guidance before taking part.
- Build positive relationships with guests and create an inclusive environment that encourages participation.
- Promote the Waterski & Wakeboard programme throughout the resort.
- Organise and support guest events, competitions, demonstrations, briefings and social activities.
- Work closely with the Activity Manager and wider resort management team.
- Support resort set-up and close-down at the beginning and end of the season.
- Be flexible and support the wider resort team when required.
- Assist with airport transfers when required, helping create a professional and welcoming first impression of Neilson.
Skills & Experience
You’ll be great at this if you…
- Have strong professional Waterski and/or Wakeboard coaching experience across a range of abilities.
- Are a confident ski boat driver with strong practical towing experience.
- Have experience supporting, mentoring, training or developing other instructors.
- Have a strong understanding of watersports safety, boat operations, risk management and emergency procedures.
- Have the confidence and judgement to make operational decisions in changing conditions.
- Can lead, motivate and support a team while maintaining high standards.
- Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Are organised and able to manage competing priorities in a busy operation.
- Are resilient, adaptable and able to remain calm and professional under pressure.
- Have a positive attitude, strong work ethic and willingness to lead by example.
- Can work independently while contributing positively to the wider resort management team.
- Can confidently communicate and instruct in English.
- Genuinely love Waterskiing, Wakeboarding, coaching and creating brilliant guest experiences.
You don’t necessarily need to have held the title of Waterski & Wakeboard Manager before.
If you have the required qualifications, strong coaching and operational experience and can demonstrate the personality, judgement, leadership potential and ambition to step up and take responsibility for a team, we’d love to hear from you.
You’ll be supported by the wider Neilson management team while continuing to develop your leadership, people-management and operational experience throughout the season.
It’d be a bonus if you also have…
- Higher-level Waterski or Wakeboard coaching qualifications.
- Previous Waterski & Wakeboard management or team leadership experience.
- Experience managing or supporting a commercial Waterski, Wakeboard, boat or wider watersports operation.
- Experience coaching both Waterskiing and Wakeboarding.
- Additional watersports or boat-driving qualifications.
- Experience training or developing other coaches.
- Previous overseas or seasonal experience.
- Experience within hospitality, leisure, active holidays or resort environments.
Qualifications
You must hold:
- British Water Ski & Wakeboard UKCC Level 2 Instructor qualification, or recognised equivalent.
- British Water Ski & Wakeboard Ski Boat Driver Award (SBD2), or recognised equivalent.
- Current BWSW membership, or equivalent national governing body membership where applicable.
Recognised Irish, European and international Waterski and Wakeboard qualifications are welcomed.
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
First Aid Requirements
A valid First Aid certificate is required and must remain valid for the duration of your contract.
As a minimum, this must be a full-day, practical, in-person First Aid course. Online-only First Aid qualifications are not accepted.
Your First Aid certification must also meet any requirements associated with your relevant British Water Ski & Wakeboard qualification.
For full details covering Neilson 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.
