Watersports Advisor

University of Southampton; Southampton; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training and qualifications

Gym membership - free access

Staff discounts

Job summary

The University of Southampton's Watersports Centre is recruiting a Watersports Advisor to ensure safe operation and oversee on‑water activities. Based at the Watersports Centre, you will assist with running the building and changing rooms, delivering high‑quality customer service.

You should have customer‑facing experience, health and safety awareness, and instructor qualifications (RYA) with scope to develop more qualifications. The role is full‑time, 35 hours/week, on‑site in Southampton.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a customer‑focused environment.
• Ability to act safely and take responsibility for health and safety of facility users.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to first‑class customer service.
• Instructor qualifications and willingness to develop more qualifications over time.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safe operation of the Watersports site.
• Oversee on‑water activities including instruction.
• Assist senior staff with running the building, including changing rooms and activities.

Skills

Customer service

Health & safety

Attention to detail

Instructing

Education

RYA Instructor qualifications

Power Boat Level 2 / Day skipper

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen to work at the University of Southampton’s Watersports Facilities, which are open to its students, staff and members of the wider community. We have a number of different sites which include the signature Jubilee Sports Centre, Wide Lane Sports Ground and the Watersports Centre. An extensive range of sport and leisure classes, courses and facilities are available to our customers every day of the week and we need sports professionals to provide a consistently high-quality sports and leisure service to our customers all year round.

The role

As a Watersports Advisor you will be part of a highly motivated and organised Watersports team responsible for ensuring the safe and efficient daily operation of the facilities and on water activities. Based at the University Watersports Centre you will be responsible for:

Ensuring safe operation of the site

Overseeing on water activities including RYA instruction

Assisting senior members of staff with the running of the building, including the changing rooms and on water activities

There is a requirement to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check which will be conducted during the offer process.

This post is offered on a full-time, permanent basis. You will be working set hour working patterns, 35 hours a week averaged over a number of weeks.

About you

You should have proven experience in handling a diverse range of situations in a customer focussed environment. You will need to act safely whilst holding responsibility for the health and safety of all facility users, have excellent attention to detail and a passion for delivering first class customer service.

As a Royal Yachting Association Training Centre this role holder will be required to teach a variety of activities leading to recognised qualifications such as Power Boat level 2 or Day-skipper Practical. Noting there is a wide variety of qualifications available, it is expected that the candidate will hold some Instructor qualifications upon appointment and will develop more in time.

What we can offer you

As a university we aim to create an environment where everyone can thrive and are proactive in fostering a culture of inclusion, respect, and equality of opportunity. We believe that we can only truly meet our objectives if we are reflective of society, so we are passionate about creating a working environment in which you are free to bring your whole self to work.

With a generous holiday allowance as well as additional university closure days we are committed to supporting our staff and students.

Starting your career with us could lead to great opportunities at the University of Southampton. With a starting salary of £27,865 per annum, there is an additional 10% uplift added and a yearly increment which you can view on our pay scales.

Other benefits include:

Training and qualifications

Full free access to the gym membership

Staff discounts and rewards on thousands of retailers, restaurants and much more.

To view the University of Southampton’s wide range of benefits, please visit https://www.southampton.ac.uk/hr/services/benefits-explained/index.page

Watersports Advisor

Company: University of Southampton

Salary: £27,865 to £30,986 a year

Hours: Full-time

Location: Southampton, SO17 1BJ

Working pattern: On-site

Job type: Permanent

Closing date: 5 Nov 2026

This role does not qualify for Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship.

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