Head Mermaid Diver, The Lost World Aquarium

KERZNER INTERNATIONAL LIMITED; Dubai; On-site; AED 240,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

Kerzner International Limited’s Atlantis Dubai seeks a Senior Mermaid performer and operational leader to drive the Mermaid program's performance development and safety standards. The Head Mermaid will lead the team, coordinate daily deployments, and support training, special events, and revenue-generating activities.

The role combines active performance with leadership duties, program growth, and operational responsibilities across shows, audiences, and experiences.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in Mermaid performance or comparable guest-facing performance.
• Minimum 2 years of management, supervisory, or program leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Leads and develops the Mermaid team setting the standard for professionalism, safety, performance quality, guest interaction, and team culture.
• Operates as the operational leader and ambassador for the Mermaid program.
• Oversee choreography for all mermaid shows, meet-and-greets, and children’s parties.
• Ensure high standards of choreography across performances and guest interactions.
• Review and refresh show content and guest experiences to stay engaging and inventive.
• Conduct monthly one-on-one sessions with Mermaid team members for feedback and development.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, succession planning, and training pathways.
• Manage daily schedule for mermaid shows and guest interactions.
• Participate in rehearsals, costume fittings, and promotional activities.
• Maintain safety, equipment, and stock levels; report issues promptly.

Skills

Mermaid performance

Leadership

Training

Guest entertainment

Education

Instructor-level certification in Mermaid/Freediving

Recognized Mermaid certification

Tools

COUPA

Atlantis business systems

Job description

Head Mermaid Diver The Lost World Aquarium 20439 Atlantis Dubai is part of Kerzner International and home to two extraordinary resorts the world-renowned Atlantis The Palm and the ultra-luxury Atlantis The Royal Together they represent world-class service bold innovation and unforgettable experiences brought to life With over 6 000 colleagues from 129 nationalities Atlantis Dubai operates as one team with many departments and back‑of‑house functions seamlessly supporting both resorts Across every role and department our shared purpose is the same to create amazing experiences and everlasting memories - not only for our guests but for our colleagues too.

About The Role

A skilled and experienced Mermaid performer and operational leader responsible for the overall performance development and success of the Mermaid program The Head Mermaid leads the Mermaid team maintains high colleague engagement and a positive team culture supports daily deployment coordinates training and safety readiness and ensures that all Mermaid experiences are delivered safely professionally and in line with Atlantis guest experience standards The role is responsible for supporting program growth through show quality team development operational structure resource planning dry revenue opportunities special events and continuous improvement The Head Mermaid is expected to remain an active performer when required while also carrying program leadership administrative training and operational responsibilities All duties assignments schedules show participation dry activities training blocks administrative responsibilities and ownership areas are subject to change based on the needs of the business.

Key Duties and Responsiblities

• Leads and develops the Mermaid team setting the standard for professionalism safety performance quality guestinteraction and positive team culture
• Acts as the operational leader and ambassador for the Mermaid program
• Oversee the choreography for all mermaid shows meet-and-greets and children s parties
• Ensures high standards of choreography are consistently upheld across all performances and guest interactions
• Regularly reviews and refreshes show content and guest experiences to keep them engaging and innovative
• Conducts monthly one‑on‑one sessions or performance check‑ins with Mermaid team members to provide feedback identify development needs and support professional growth
• Organises or supports training programs safety drills emergency preparedness exercises rehearsals show reviews and skill‑development sessions
• Supports recruitment onboarding succession planning and development pathways for Mermaid Trainees Mermaids and Senior Mermaids
• Supports management in assessing role readiness performance conduct culture fit and progression using formal and fair assessment criteria
• Prepares and manages the daily schedule for mermaid shows and guest interactions
• Leads the daily mermaid team briefing each morning
• Reports any equipment issues to management in a timely manner
• Provides recommendations on the purchase of new equipment such as mermaid tails
• Learns and effectively utilises Atlantis business systems as required including rostering procurement and ordering systems such as COUPA
• Maintains professional relationships with mermaid equipment suppliers
• Monitors and maintains adequate stock levels of consumables including makeup and hair products
• Advises on appropriate props for use in mermaid shows and guest interactions
• Supports the development of new guest experiences dry activations special events Dolphin Meet and Greet Shark Lagoon activations photo opportunities private experiences and other revenue‑generating programs
• Ensures the highest standards of safety performance quality guest satisfaction brand representation and operational consistency
• Drives continuous improvement and innovation within the Mermaid program
• Perform as a mermaid in underwater shows meet‑and‑greet and themed events promotional activities and special events as required
• Swim gracefully in a mermaid tail while executing choreographed routines or improvisational movements
• Participate in rehearsals costume fittings and promotional activities
• Maintain physical fitness and water safety proficiency
• Follow safety procedures and emergency protocols as instructed by staff or Dive Safety Officer
• Follows all policies and procedures set in the Atlantis Dubai Dive Operations Manual
• Assist in the care maintenance and cleaning of mermaid costumes and equipment
• Logs and reports all equipment malfunctions to supervisor immediately
• Maintains dive logs and records of own dives
• Ensures a complete understanding and adheres to policies of all division department policies
• Maintains a safe secure and healthy work environment for both people and animals
• Attend meetings and trainings as requested and required
• Maintains a sound knowledge of the Company s facilities and related services
• Maintains confidentiality of information always received
• Performs other reasonable duties throughout the division as requested by management and based on the needs of the business

Requirements and Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in Mermaid performance, aquatic performance, freediving, synchronized swimming, diving, dance, theatre, guest entertainment, character performance, or comparable guest‑facing performance experience required.
• Minimum 2 years of management, supervisory, team leadership, training, coaching, or program leadership experience required.
• Demonstrated experience leading or coordinating a team, training program, show operation, guest‑facing program, or comparable performance‑based operation required.
• Instructor‑level certification in Mermaid, Freediving, or an equivalent relevant discipline is preferred. If the Head Mermaid is required to deliver formal Mermaid or freediving training, the colleague must obtain the required instructor‑level certification within an agreed timeframe, based on the needs of the business.
• Recognized Mermaid certification required.
• Must successfully complete annual departmental swim test.
• Must have the ability to hold breath underwater for extended periods.
• Comfortable performing in front of large crowds and engaging with children and adults.
• Ability to swim and perform underwater for extended periods in varying water temperatures.
• Endurance for repetitive movements, extended periods in costume, and extended periods in Mermaid tail or performance costume.
• Must pass annual dive medical or required fitness assessment.
• Ability to lift or carry costume elements or equipment up to [e.g., 25 lbs.].
• Ability to wear and swim in a monofin or mermaid tail for extended periods.
• CPR, First Aid, and Rescue training (or willingness to obtain).
• Flexible schedule including weekends, holidays, evenings, and private events, and special activations.
• Positive attitude and strong work ethics.
• Must be able to speak English confidently and clearly when delivering guest‑facing programs, shows, meet‑and‑greet, photo opportunities, dry activations, safety briefings, and colleague communication.
• Must be comfortable performing assigned duties in close proximity to all animals in our collection.
• Demonstrates mature, responsible, and professional behavior in duties.
• Able to receive, apply, and deliver feedback related to show quality, guest interaction, safety, teamwork, performance standards, and professional conduct.
• Ability to use or learn Atlantis business systems required for rostering, procurement, ordering, record keeping, and operational administration.