Lead Watersports Instructor (Level 3) Full Time NEW

We are Places for People Group, we’re a social enterprise that believes it’s people that make a community. That’s why we build homes and deliver services for everyone in the community to thrive. At Places Leisure we are changing lives by creating active places and healthy people for communities to thrive, and we want to be the UK’s leading health and wellbeing enabler.

At Places Leisure (part of Places for People), we believe in creating active, healthy communities through inclusive, high-quality experiences.

More About Albany Outdoors

Albany Outdoors is a unique, community-embedded outdoor water sports centre, and we are looking for an experienced Level 3 Watersports Instructor / Coach to play a key leadership role in delivering safe, inspiring, and accessible activity on the water.

Working closely with the General Manager, you will lead the delivery of paddle sport, sailing and Dragon Boat sessions in a dynamic river environment, ensuring the highest standards of safety, care, and professionalism in line with AALA and National Governing Body requirements. You will support and develop instructors and volunteers, model positive leadership, and help create welcoming, inclusive experiences for schools, community groups, and corporate teams.

This is a role for someone who shares our commitment to People, Place and Purpose — where your expertise is valued, your judgement is trusted, and your work helps people of all ages build confidence, skills, and a lifelong connection with activity and the outdoors.

More About Your Role

In this role, you lead the daily operations of the water sports centre, acting as senior on site when needed and supervising instructors to ensure high‑quality delivery. You teach and facilitate outdoor learning in line with NGB standards, oversee safe daily activity delivery, and act as Fire Marshal, Health & Safety representative and first aider. You support training and development for staff and volunteers, prioritise safeguarding at all times, and use resources efficiently to maximise impact. You also handle administrative tasks such as bookings and staff scheduling, prepare staffing plans aligned to programme needs, and embed a culture of self‑evaluation to drive continuous improvement.

Desired Qualifications (or working towards):

• Paddle UK Coach or Leader (Level 2 or Level 3)
• BDRA Level 1 Coach
• RYA Dinghy Instructor or Senior Dinghy Instructor
• RYA Powerboat Level 2
• Archery GB qualification
• ASI Level 1 Instructor Award
• Relevant First Aid qualification (outdoor / remote preferred)

More About You

You hold a recognised Level 3 Youth Work or Children & Young People qualification and at least one nationally recognised outdoor activity qualification. You have experience engaging and building strong relationships with young people, supporting their personal and social development, and you’re confident leading teams in outdoor education to deliver high‑quality sessions. You’re well‑organised, an effective communicator, and comfortable using digital tools. Ideally, you also bring experience embedding equality and diversity in practice and working with corporate clients to deliver excellent customer experiences.

Benefits

We are a large, diverse and ambitious business, which will give you all the challenge you could wish for.

We know that there’s always more we can do to make you smile, that’s why we offer a comprehensive benefits package with each role, yours will include:

• We align with the Real Living Wage foundation
• A bonus scheme for all colleagues at 2%
• Full Health & Fitness membership for you, a nominated adult and up to 4 juniors
• Flexible working (including part time working, shift work and more)
• An opportunity to purchase additional annual leave
• Lots of opportunity to access ongoing personal learning and development
• Access to our Company Pension scheme
• Cashback plan for healthcare costs – up to £500 saving per year
• Discounts of up to 50% on activities, centre shop and cafes
• Extra perks including huge discounts and offers from shops, cinemas and much more.

What’s next?

If you meet the criteria and are ready to make the next step in your career then apply following our simple 5 minute application process, upload a CV and a supporting statement which demonstrates how you meet the requirements of the role. If you have any questions please email the recruitment team

As part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we offer a guaranteed interview to candidates who are disabled, neurodiverse, or have served in the Armed Forces, provided you meet the essential criteria for the role. If you would like to be considered under this scheme, please indicate this in your application.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview experience, please let us know. We’re happy to work with you to ensure you have the opportunity to perform at your best.

If you are a Places for People customer and you’re looking for support with your application, please contact our skills and employment team on

Please note that we may bring the closing date forward, if we receive a large number of quality applications. If you are interested in this role we would advise applying immediately to avoid disappointment.

If you are using a mobile device such as an iPad then ensure your CV is stored in the cloud, we currently support Google Drive, OneDrive and Dropbox.

We understand the importance of a supportive and inclusive work culture so please talk to us at interview about flexibility you may need. We can’t promise to give you exactly what you want, but we promise not to judge you for asking. For this role we are open to discussing the possibility of reduced hours, flexible start and finish times or compressed hours.

If you are a recruitment agency please note we operate a PSL and do not take cold calls

Safeguarding

At Places for People, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. We are committed to creating safe communities for our customers and colleagues by protecting children, young people, and adults at risk from harm, abuse, and neglect.

We follow robust safeguarding policies and procedures, ensuring all employees, volunteers, and contractors uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and accountability. Our recruitment process includes pre-employment checks, including Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks where applicable, to promote a safe and secure working environment.

By joining Places for People, you are expected to contribute to our safeguarding culture, following our policies and reporting concerns to protect those in our communities

Armed Forces – We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant. Places for People will guarantee an interview for any candidate who is serving or has formerly served in the Armed Forces, as a reservist, armed forces veteran (including the wounded, injured and sick), cadet instructor and military spouse/partner and who meets the essential criteria for the vacancy.

Disability Confident – We are proud to be a member of the Disability Confident scheme certified as Level 2 Disability Confident Employer. This helps us to successfully employ and retain people with disabilities and health conditions. Disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for a vacancy will be guaranteed an interview. The Equality Act 2010 (Disability Discrimination Act 1995 for NI) defines a disabled person as someone who has a physical or mental impairment that has sa substantial and long-term negative effect on their ability to do daily activities.

Neurodivergent – Neurodiverse individuals have highly valuable skills, and we recognise that a traditional interview process sometimes works against them and doesn’t allow them to self-advocate. Neurodiverse applicants who meet the criteria for a vacancy will be guaranteed an interview.