Activity and Leisure Manager

Parkdean Resorts; England; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee training & development

Employee Care Programme (EAP) 24/7

Staff discounts: holidays, meals, and

Job summary

Parkdean Resorts is seeking a proactive Activity & Leisure Manager to lead the swimming pool, leisure facilities, and activities across the park. You will drive safety, guest experiences and staff development in a hands‑on leadership role.

You will manage lifeguards and a team, ensure high standards, and continually improve programmes while maintaining safe operations and compliance with company procedures.

Qualifications

• NPLQ Lifeguard qualification or willingness to complete the qualification.
• Experience managing, coaching, and developing a leisure or customer‑facing team.
• Excellent relationship building skills with internal teams and guests.
• Strong commercial awareness to maximise participation and satisfaction.
• First Aid at Work certificate is desirable.
• Ability to work varied days including weekends, evenings and bank holidays.
• Customer‑focused mindset with passion for guest experiences.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a high‑quality swimming pool and activities programme with engaging guest experiences.
• Maintain a safe environment; manage equipment, chemicals and plant rooms.
• Oversee daily operation of leisure facilities including pool and activities.
• Ensure pool plant and safety systems meet standards and SPLASH requirements.
• Keep lifeguards trained and compliant with RLSS/STA.
• Conduct water quality tests and handle chemicals per procedures.
• Lead, motivate and support leisure and lifeguard teams; conduct 1‑2‑1s.
• Collaborate within Heads of Department to drive park success.
• Maintain presentation, cleanliness and safety across all areas.
• Monitor guest feedback to enhance activity schedules and participation.

Skills

Lifeguard cert (NPLQ)

Team leadership

Customer focus

Commercial awareness

First Aid at Work

Flexibility

Coaching

Job description

At Parkdean Resorts, we’re looking for a proactive, safety‑focused, and energetic Activity & Leisure Manager to lead the swimming pool, leisure facilities, and activities programme across the park. This is a hands‑on leadership role ideal for someone passionate about delivering outstanding guest experiences in a safe, fun, and well‑managed environment.

As an Activity & Leisure Manager, you’ll oversee the day‑to‑day operation of the swimming pool and activities programme. You’ll ensure all leisure facilities operate safely, compliantly, and to the highest standard, while motivating and developing the leisure and lifeguard team. You will create a memorable, engaging experience for every guest who visits our pool and activity areas.

What you will be doing...

• Deliver a high‑quality swimming pool and activities programme with engaging, fun, and inclusive guest experiences.
• Maintain a safe environment for guests and team members, ensuring correct use, handling, and storage of equipment, chemicals, and plant rooms.
• Oversee daily management of all leisure facilities, including the swimming pool and activities programme.
• Ensure pool plant, safety systems, and equipment are well‑maintained and managed in line with the SPLASH manual and company standards.
• Ensure Lifeguards are fully trained, qualified, and compliant with RLSS and STA requirements.
• Carry out and oversee water quality and chemical testing in line with operating procedures.
• Lead, motivate, and support the leisure and lifeguard teams, including conducting regular 1‑2‑1s.
• Contribute as part of the Wider Heads of Department team to deliver park‑wide success.
• Maintain a high standard of presentation, cleanliness, and safety across all activity and leisure areas.
• Monitor performance and guest feedback to continuously enhance the activity schedule and participation levels.
• Undertake continuous professional development in key areas such as customer care, pool plant, lifesaving skills, and health & safety.

About you...

• A valid NPLQ Lifeguard qualification, or are a strong swimmer willing to complete the qualification.
• Experience managing, coaching, and developing a team in a leisure or customer‑focused environment.
• Excellent relationship‑building skills and confidence working with internal teams and external guests.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to maximise participation and satisfaction.
• A valid First Aid at Work certificate.
• Flexibility to work varied days including weekends, evenings, and bank holidays.
• A customer-focused mindset and passion for delivering memorable guest experiences.

So, why Parkdean Resorts?

Well, besides the one‑of‑a‑kind team culture, stunning locations across the UK, and the chance to work with the UK's largest holiday park organisation, we can offer:

• The chance to develop your skills and boost your career across our 65 parks – we’ve got your back when it comes to training!
• You’re never on your own with our Employee Assistance Programme! It comes with a 24/7 confidential helpline for counselling and support - because your wellbeing is our top priority.
• A 50% discount for you and a 25% discount for friends and family when booking your holiday with us.
• A team member discount of 30%, available on everything from fabulous food to delicious drinks and even our fun leisure activities.
• Score awesome discounts! From tasty meal kits like Hello Fresh to your favourite local gyms, we’ve got deals on lots of brands just for you.

We want to be a force for good and caring for our parks, people, and planet is a natural component of the way we do business. We celebrate our people, communities and natural environment, enabling us to enhance the amazing memories we create for many years to come.

Are we the right fit for you?

At Parkdean Resorts, every park is a place to start something great; a place where you can develop your skills, take on new challenges, and thrive alongside a team that supports you every step of the way.

Our parks create meaningful memories for our guests and know that great service is more than a smile - it’s understanding the value of every moment. Because it’s not just what we do, it’s who we are. Join a team that puts heart into every holiday. Be the Heart of the Park.

Parkdean Resorts takes safeguarding seriously therefore background checks including DBS (or equivalent) will be carried out if appropriate.

We want to do all we can to create an environment and recruitment process where people feel safe and comfortable to talk about disability. For any reasonable adjustment requests as part of the recruitment and assessment process, please contact Roisin at [e-mail]