Watersports Manager

Job Vacancy

 Watersports Manager

Deptford,  London,  SE8 3JY

Closing date – Friday 17th April, 2026.

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About  The Ahoy Centre

The Ahoy Centre  is here  to provide opportunities  for the local
community to be involved in a variety of water sports on the River
Thames.

We are particularly focussed  on the attracting those  under-resourced
individuals and groups, who may otherwise  not have the opportunity
to undertake  sailing, rowing or powerboating.

We believe  that by providing these  opportunities,  we can broaden
horizons for participants,  help them acquire  new skills and encourage
them to develop  their personal  resilience.  These  can be life-
enhancing in many ways.

Equally important we want to provide opportunities  for local people
to recreate  on The River  Thames,  have fun and at the same time
build new friendships.

As a provider  of quality sport,  we are confident  that we can
contribute to peoples  mental and physical health. We also see our
provision  as unique in the sporting offer in southeast  London.

We want to be an essential  community asset for Deptford  and the
surrounding  London Boroughs.  We encourage  local people to
volunteer  with us because  we believe  in the strength of the local
community, but also in the power of volunteering  to help people give
something  back to society, while developing  themselves  as
individuals.

We operate as a charity and rely on donations and external funders.
All income is used to operate the centre,  invest in our site and
equipment  and deliver  quality water sports,  in a safe environment.

We work in partnership  with many groups, schools  and organisations
and we strive to be a good partner  by being open,  honest and
dependable.

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We are committed  to being a good employer  and a good neighbour.
We respect  the environment  and are constantly seeking ways in
which we can minimise our environmental  footprint.

We sit on the border  between  the boroughs of Greenwich  and
Lewisham,  and we are only a 15-minute walk from Deptford  and
Greenwich  town centres.

You would be joining The Ahoy at an exciting time as we continue our
renewal.  You would have the opportunity  to shape the future  work of
the charity.

For more information visit www.ahoy.org.uk

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Job Title: Watersports  Manager

Location:  Ahoy Centre

Contract:  Full-time (salary and benefits  as advertised)

Reports  to: CEO

Role Summary

The Watersports  Manager will lead the planning, delivery,  and
continuous improvement  of a diverse  programme of water- and
shore-based  activities. You will ensure  activities  are safe,  inclusive,
engaging,  and aligned with Ahoy Centre’s  strategic objectives.  This
senior  role combines  operational leadership,  programme
development,  direct delivery  of water-based  activities, and oversight
of staff, fleet,  and aspects  of site maintenance.

Key Responsibilities

•  Lead the design, scheduling,  and delivery of a balanced

programme of accessible  water- and shore-based  courses and
activities (sailing,  powerboating,  rowing and related  land-based
sessions).

•  Ensure  all activities meet or exceed best-practice  safety,
safeguarding,  and quality standards; keep policies,  risk
assessments,  and emergency  procedures  current.

•  Directly deliver  water-based  sessions  as required  and act as a

visible on-water  leader  and instructor.

•  Recruit,  train, supervise,  and mentor a multidisciplinary team of
instructors,  volunteers,  and support  staff; conduct performance
reviews  and create  professional  development  plans.
•  Manage the maintenance,  safety,  and compliance of the

centre’s  fleet,  equipment,  and facilities; coordinate scheduled
servicing,  repairs, and replacement  planning.

•  Oversee  operational budgets,  resource  planning, and

procurement  to deliver  programmes  efficiently and sustainably.

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•  Collaborate  with fundraising,  marketing,  and partnerships

teams to develop  new programmes,  grow participation,  and
secure  income streams.

•  Monitor and evaluate programme  impact; collect participant

feedback and outcomes data to inform continuous
improvement.

•  Represent  Ahoy Centre  at external meetings,  networks,  and

partner  events;  promote inclusion and community engagement.

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Essential  Desirable

Person Specification

Experience
Recognised  watersports  instructor
qualifications (RYA Dinghy Senior
Instructor/Keelboat,  RYA Powerboat
Instructor, First Aid)
At least one year as a Chief  Instructor
Strong experience  delivering  and leading
inclusive,  participant-focused  water-
based programmes.
Proven people  management  skills,
including coaching,  rostering,  and
performance  management.
Sound knowledge of health & safety,
safeguarding,  and incident management
in aquatic settings.
Excellent organisational  skills with
experience  managing fleet/equipment
maintenance  and budgets.
Clear, confident communicator with
strong stakeholder  engagement  skills.
Experience  working in the charity or
community sector.
Qualifications in safeguarding,  and boat
maintenance.
Experience  with programme  monitoring,
evaluation,  and impact reporting.
Key Competencies
Leadership  and team development
Operational planning and risk
management
Inclusive  programme design and delivery
Strong decision-making  under  pressure
Budget and resource  management

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What We Offer

A supportive,  mission-driven  workplace committed to inclusion and
development.

Opportunities  for professional  development  and qualification
support.

Hours  - Full-time – 35 hours per week. This will be split over five days
and will involve weekend  working. The main hours generally be 9 am
to 5 pm, but this may fluctuate according to season.

Term - Permanent

Remuneration  - £38-40,000 per annum.

Benefits – 28 days annual leave (plus Bank Holidays), Pension,  sick
pay, Birthday leave after one year, Cycle to Work Scheme, free  gym
use, free  tea and coffee.

Location  – The Ahoy Centre,  Borthwick Street, Deptford,  London. SE8
3JY

Further  information  – If you would like an informal conversation,  call
020 8691 7502 to arrange a call back.

How to apply  - Please  send a CV and covering letter  (no more than
two sides  of A4) to david.reader@ahoy.org.uk  . In your covering
letter, please  address  the person specification  criteria listed.

Closing  date – Friday 17th April, 2026.

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