Activity and Leisure Manager - Thorness Bay Holiday Park

Parkdean Resorts; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Programme

50% holiday discount for you

Family & friends 25% discount

Staff discount 30% on everything

Hello Fresh / gym discounts

Job summary

Parkdean Resorts is seeking an Activity & Leisure Manager to lead the swimming pool, leisure facilities and activities programme across the park. This hands-on leadership role focuses on safe, fun, and memorable guest experiences.

You will manage daily pool and activities operations, supervise lifeguards, ensure compliance with safety standards, and drive guest satisfaction across all leisure areas while developing your team.

Qualifications

• A valid NPLQ Lifeguard qualification or willingness to complete it.
• Experience managing and developing a leisure or customer-focused team.
• Excellent relationship-building skills and confidence working with guests and internal teams.
• Strong commercial awareness to maximise participation and guest satisfaction.
• NPLQ Trainer Assessor qualification is desirable.
• Pool Plant Operations qualification is desirable.
• Valid First Aid at Work certificate.
• Willingness to work varied days including weekends and bank holidays.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a high-quality swimming pool and activities programme with engaging, inclusive guest experiences.
• Maintain a safe environment, handling equipment, chemicals, and plant rooms correctly.
• Oversee daily management of all leisure facilities, including pool and activities programme.
• Ensure pool plant, safety systems and equipment meet SPLASH standards and company policies.
• Ensure Lifeguards are trained, qualified and compliant with RLSS and STA requirements.
• Conduct and oversee water quality and chemical testing as per procedures.
• Lead, motivate and support leisure and lifeguard teams; conduct regular 1-2-1s.
• Contribute to park-wide success as part of the Wider Heads of Department team.
• Maintain high standards of presentation, cleanliness and safety across activity and leisure areas.
• Monitor performance and guest feedback to improve activity schedule and participation.
• Pursue ongoing professional development in customer care, pool plant, lifesaving, and safety.

Skills

NPLQ Lifeguard

Team leadership

Relationship building

Commercial awareness

Trainer Assessor

Pool Plant Ops

First Aid at Work

Flexibility

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.
• - NPLQ Trainer Assessor qualification (desirable).
• - Pool Plant Operations qualification (desirable).
• - 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.

Thorness Bay: A Springboard Park for Fun, Growth and Opportunity

We're investing £6 million in transforming Thorness Bay for 2027, and we're looking for passionate people to join us on this exciting journey. This major investment will bring brand-new experiences, upgraded facilities and even more reasons for families to make unforgettable memories on the Isle of Wight.

Launching brand-new activities like immersive Bear Grylls escape rooms, high ropes, and an all-new Hat-Tricks sports bar with interactive darts and a shuffleboard. From upgraded family play zones to expanded pitches and enhanced guest facilities, this is a once-in-a-generation upgrade that will create unforgettable experiences for our guests - and amazing opportunities for you.

Now's the perfect time to join us and be part of shaping the future of holidays at Thorness Bay.

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.