Watersports Centre Manager

Centre Manager

Oxford Sail Training Trust | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxfordshire

£40,000 to £45,000 | Permanent | Full-time, 40 hours | Monday–Friday with flexibility to work occasional weekends and bank holidays.

Closing date: 30 September 2026

Lead. Grow. Inspire.

Do you have the leadership skills, commercial awareness and energy to run a successful water sports centre — while making a real difference to young people and the wider community?

Oxford Sail Training Trust (OSTT) is looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Centre Manager to lead our established centre at Farmoor Reservoir.

OSTT is a charity providing accessible sailing and water sports opportunities through training, education and recreational programmes. As well as being RYA training centre we have a successful summer children’s programme, membership from several local schools running their sailing programmes at OSTT, and a growing charitable programme supporting state schools.

The opportunity

As Centre Manager, you will take the lead in making the Centre safe, successful, financially sustainable and welcoming.

You will:

• Lead the day-to-day operation of the Centre.
• Manage budgets, income and expenditure and drive sustainable growth.
• Oversee courses, programmes, events and customer experience.
• Lead and support staff, instructors and volunteers.
• Maintain high standards of safety, safeguarding and compliance.
• Build relationships with schools, community groups, sponsors and partners.
• Identify new opportunities to grow participation, income and charitable impact.
• Work with the Trustees to shape OSTT's future strategy and development.

About you

We are looking for a proven manager and natural leader who can combine operational excellence with commercial thinking and a strong sense of purpose.

You will have:

• Experience managing a centre, operation or similar organisation.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills.
• Experience managing budgets and financial performance.
• Excellent communication, organisation and problem-solving skills.
• A sound understanding of health & safety, safeguarding and risk management.
• The drive to identify opportunities and make things happen.
• A genuine commitment to inclusion and OSTT's charitable mission.

Experience in sailing, water sports, outdoor education or the charity sector is desirable, as are relevant RYA or other water sports qualifications.

Why OSTT?

This is more than a management role. It's an opportunity to lead an established centre, grow its commercial and community impact, and help more young people discover the benefits of sailing and water sports.

If you're an ambitious, hands-on manager who wants to make a difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Location: Farmoor Reservoir, Oxfordshire

Salary: £40,000 to £45,000 per annum

Contract: Permanent, full-time

Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday–Friday with flexibility to work occasional weekends and bank holidays.

Closing date: 30 September 2026

Apply

Send your CV and covering letter to:

recruitment@oxfordsailtraining.org.uk

Tell us about your relevant experience and why you want to lead Oxford Sail Training Trust.