At the Andrew Simpson Foundation, our mission is to transform lives through sailing and watersports. Through our programmes, we help young people and their communities build confidence, develop skills, improve wellbeing, and connect with others.
We’re looking for an experienced, friendly, and proactive RYA Senior Instructor to join the team at Andrew Simpson Centres Portsmouth as our new Senior Lead Instructor.
About the role
This is a varied, hands-on role combining activity delivery, instructor development, customer service, and operational leadership.
Working closely with our Chief Instructor, you’ll plan and deliver sailing, watersports, and land-based activities for a wide range of customers and beneficiaries. You’ll help our instructors develop their skills, support safe and high-quality sessions, and take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the centre on a rota with other senior staff.
You’ll also deliver, assess, and mark elements of further education courses, supporting learners to develop their knowledge and practical skills.
If you enjoy helping others progress, working as part of a close-knit team, and taking responsibility in a busy activity centre, we’d love to hear from you.
What you’ll do
- Plan, deliver, and oversee watersports and land-based programmes in line with your qualifications and experience.
- Lead large activity days, sailing courses, and other activities for individuals, schools, and groups.
- Support the Chief Instructor with instructor deployment and development, providing guidance on sessions and monitoring safety and quality standards.
- Help deliver staff training and continuing professional development.
- Take charge of centre operations on a rota with other senior staff.
- Plan, deliver, assess, and mark elements of further education courses.
- Support the care, storage, repair, and maintenance of equipment and facilities.
- Provide welcoming, professional customer service, answering enquiries, taking bookings, and supporting centre administration.
- Work alongside the Outreach Coordinator to encourage bookings and identify opportunities for customers.
- Support the Operations Manager with centre development, resource use, budget management, and new ideas.
- Help capture photographs and content for digital marketing where appropriate.
- Uphold and promote health and safety, safeguarding, equality and diversity, and all centre policies and procedures.
What we’re looking for
A current RYA Senior Instructor qualification in Dinghy Sailing, with experience working at this level.
- Excellent customer service skills and a friendly, approachable manner.
- Strong time management and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise.
- The ability to work effectively within a small, close-knit team.
- A flexible approach and the confidence to take responsibility for centre operations.
- A commitment to demonstrating and promoting the values of the Andrew Simpson Foundation.
RYA instructor qualifications in keelboating, windsurfing, winging, or powerboating.
- Qualifications or experience in delivering land-based activities such as climbing, archery, or raft building.
- Previous experience in customer service, administration, or front-of-house roles.
Contract: Full-time permanent
Working Pattern: A minimum of 40 hours per week
Location: Andrew Simpson Centres Portsmouth, Eastern Road, Portsmouth, PO3 5LY
Salary: Competitive, depending on experience
Reporting to: Portsmouth Operations Manager
The role requires a flexible working pattern, including weekends and evenings during busy periods.
Applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK. Appointment is subject to a satisfactory DBS check.
The Andrew Simpson Foundation is an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please get in touch with our team.
As a proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, we welcome applications from veterans, reservists, Service leavers, military spouses and partners, and other members of the Armed Forces community. We recognise the valuable transferable skills and experience gained through military life and are committed to ensuring that members of the Armed Forces community are not unfairly disadvantaged during our recruitment and selection process. If you require any support when applying, please contact our team.
Portland's schools have gone head-to-head at the Andrew Simpson Centre's annual autumn regatta, welcoming young sailors onto the waves to earn their racing stripes.
With the Duke of Edinburgh season drawing to a close, we're celebrating everything our crews have achieved over the past year at Andrew Simpson Yachting.
We recently had the privilege of supporting the Royal Naval Sailing Association (RNSA) in welcoming their Patron and Admiral, Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, to Andrew Simpson Centres Portsmouth.
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