At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and coordinate exciting watersports training for young people at Welsh Harp Boat Station.
- Company: Join the Marine Society & Sea Cadets, a vibrant charity dedicated to youth development.
- Benefits: Enjoy 51 days of paid holiday, private medical insurance, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to inclusivity and safeguarding young people.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young lives through adventure and mentorship in watersports.
- Qualifications: Must hold RYA Senior Dinghy Instructor and have expert knowledge in various watersport disciplines.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Location: Welsh Harp Boat Station, London, NW9 8SA
Contract: Full time, fixed term until 13 December 2026
Salary: Competitive
Closing Date: 14 June 2026 (Position may close earlier if right candidate comes forward)
Are you a Chief Instructor looking for a new opportunity? The Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC) is the leading maritime charity for youth development and lifelong learning. We are a vibrant and growing charity inspiring young people to achieve their potential through challenge and nautical adventure, while also enabling seafarers and maritime professionals to realise their potential through learning and career development.
Thousands of young people take part in Sea Cadets activity every week. We want to reach thousands more. We have a strong vision and are on the cusp of rolling out a new multi-year growth strategy to meet the growing demand for what we provide for young people. We aim to equip them to achieve their potential and thrive in a rapidly changing world. We are immensely proud of the breadth, quality and safety of activities we offer to young people.
We are currently looking for a Chief Instructor to join our team.
About The Role
We are seeking a Chief Instructor who will deliver and coordinate high quality training at our training facility at Sea Cadets Welsh Harp Boat Station, NW9 8SA. The boat station delivers key, life changing, experiences to a wide ranging group and client base. This opportunity would suit an experienced watersports professional with a range of knowledge across the industry having a sound grasp of managing, developing and mentoring teams of both employed and volunteer staff. This is an exciting opportunity and will see the successful applicant deliver and oversee sailing, windsurfing, powerboating, rowing and Paddlesport while supporting our growing number of boating Instructor qualified volunteers.
Hours of work each week will be variable, but will average approximately 44 hours. The post can be demanding and working hours are as determined by the training programme, which will include evening and weekend working. The Welsh Harp Boat Station is one of eight regional boat stations operated by the charity, the successful candidate will work as part of the charities Inshore Boating team.
Responsibilities
- Act as Chief Instructor at the boat station
- Develop and promote an activity programme for our young people
- Manage the delivery of our all year-round activity programme
- Monitor standards of instruction and support the development of instructors
- Be a role model and mentor for our Cadets and Volunteers
- Be involved in the delivery of boating across the charity
- Be a technical advisor that our Volunteers can turn to for advice and guidance
Requirements
- RYA Senior Dinghy Instructor
- BC Paddlesport Instructor or higher
- Expert level knowledge and ability across a range of water sport disciplines
- A demonstrable background in the delivery of high-quality boating activities to a wide client base
- A strong awareness of health and safety policy and regulation
- Facilities management experience
Desirable
- Experience in working with young people and volunteers
- Experience in developing new client relationships
- Experience across a range watersports industry sectors
- RYA Powerboat Instructor
- RYA Windsurfing Instructor
Benefits
- 51 working days paid holiday per annum, pro rata, this includes public and bank holidays observed in England and Wales
- Hybrid working for many roles
- Volunteering Leave
- Life assurance (4x salary)
- Private medical insurance
- Generous pension (employer contribution up to 10%)
- Cycle to work scheme and Season Ticket Loan
- Access to the Marine Society Digital Library
- Wellbeing portal and EAP with 121 counselling
- Employee development: We are investing in our employees' development and have an annual calendar of learning and development opportunities, designed to support employees to develop into their roles and stretch them to achieve their full potential
Additional Information
MSSC positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. Equity, diversity, and inclusion really matters to us, so we can best serve our beneficiaries from every community. We work to ensure a fair and consistent recruitment process and aim to be a charity where diversity of experience, identity and skills are valued and welcomed. MSSC is an equal opportunities employer.
We recognise our responsibilities to safeguard and protect the young people and vulnerable adults with whom we work. We do all we can to promote their health, safety and wellbeing, and we expect our staff to share this commitment and work in line with safeguarding policy, the MSSC's values and ethos of inclusivity. We adhere to safer recruitment practices and therefore employment is subject to detailed pre-employment checks for successful candidates, including references and criminal disclosure checks and the completion of a disclosure questionnaire. All successful applicants are required to attend safeguarding training and undergo pre-employment checks including a criminal record check.
Chief Instructor - Welsh Harp Boat Station in London employer: MSSC (Marine Society & Sea Cadets)
The Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC) is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises youth development and lifelong learning at the picturesque Welsh Harp Boat Station in London. With generous benefits including 51 days of paid holiday, private medical insurance, and a strong commitment to employee development, MSSC fosters an inclusive environment where staff can thrive while making a meaningful impact on the lives of young people through nautical adventure and challenge.
Contact Details:
MSSC (Marine Society & Sea Cadets) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Instructor - Welsh Harp Boat Station in London
✨Get Involved in Local Sports Communities
Dive into your local sports scene! Attend community games, coaching sessions, and meet-ups. Building relationships with coaches and team managers can help you uncover job opportunities before they even hit the job boards.
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We think you need these skills to ace Chief Instructor - Welsh Harp Boat Station in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Sports:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sports and recreation shine through! We want to see your genuine interest in the industry and how it's shaped your career choices. Sharing specific experiences, like managing a team or organising an event, can really make you stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, focus on any relevant internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs related to sports and recreation management. Make sure to quantify your achievements – did you increase team participation by a certain percentage or successfully lead a project? Numbers speak volumes!
Tailor Your CV for Sports Management:Use a CV format that emphasises your skills in leadership, teamwork, and event coordination. Don’t forget to include specific training or certifications that relate to sports management, as these can set you apart from other applicants. We love seeing candidates with relevant qualifications!
Express Your Long-Term Goals:In your application, we want to see your career aspirations in sports management. Don’t hesitate to include how you envision your future in this industry and how joining MSSC (Marine Society & Sea Cadets) aligns with those goals. We’re looking for candidates who are not just a perfect fit for the role but are also excited about growing with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at MSSC (Marine Society & Sea Cadets)
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sports
When chatting with MSSC (Marine Society & Sea Cadets), make sure to express your genuine love for sports and recreation. Share experiences that showcase your passion, whether it's managing a local sports team, organising events, or simply being an active participant in various activities. This helps them see you're not just a fit on paper, but also someone who truly cares about the field.
✨Showcase Your Management Skills
This role is all about managing resources and people, so be ready to discuss your leadership and organisational skills. Prepare some examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or managed a project, particularly in a sports or recreation setting. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique to make your answers concise and impactful.
✨Be Prepared for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect case studies or scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving and decision-making skills. You might be asked how you would handle a tricky situation, such as resolving a conflict between team members or managing a crisis during a major event. Think through these scenarios and practice how you’d articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Demonstrate Enthusiasm for Team Collaboration
In the sports and recreation management field, teamwork is essential. During the interview, be prepared to discuss how you work within a team and foster a collaborative environment. Share success stories where teamwork led to a positive outcome, emphasising how you built relationships and encouraged participation among team members to achieve a common goal.
