Head Lifeguard - Summer 2027

Job Introduction

HEAD LIFEGUARD

Location: Neilson Alana Beachclub, Croatia
Season: April – November
Qualifications Required: Recognised Pool Lifeguard qualification (see details below)
Eligibility: UK & EU passport holders
Salary: £875 PCM gross, plus accommodation, meals, flights, and an excellent overall package.

As a UK-based business operating overseas, we’re able to arrange the required visas and work permits for UK and EU passport holders to work legally in our resorts.

As one of our management positions, priority will be given to candidates who are available for the full season.

In a Nutshell

• Lead the Pool Team at our Alana Beachclub.
• Take responsibility for maintaining exceptional standards of pool safety, lifeguarding and guest care.
• Oversee the resort’s swim coaching programme alongside the day-to-day pool operation.
• Lead from the front while supporting, developing and motivating your team throughout the season.

About Us

For almost 50 years, Neilson has been creating unforgettable active holidays in some incredible Beach Club destinations.

From sailing and watersports to tennis, fitness, biking, swimming and much more, our guests are at the centre of everything we do.

We’re looking for enthusiastic, adaptable people with great personalities, a strong work ethic and a genuine passion for creating brilliant holiday experiences.

For our Head of Department roles, we’re also looking for people who enjoy helping others develop. You’ll set standards, support your team and lead from the front while still being very much part of the day-to-day operation.

About You

You’re an experienced lifeguard who is ready to take greater responsibility and lead others.

Safety comes naturally to you. You’re observant, switched on and comfortable making decisions, but you’re also approachable, positive and good with people.

You understand that leading a Pool Team is about much more than putting together a rota. You’ll set the standard through your own behaviour, support less-experienced lifeguards, keep your team motivated and make sure everyone understands the responsibility that comes with the role.

You’re organised and proactive, with the confidence to step in when something needs attention. When things get busy or an emergency develops, you remain calm, communicate clearly and make sensible decisions under pressure.

You’ll also oversee the resort’s swim coaching programme, making sure sessions are well organised, delivered safely and provide a brilliant experience for guests.

You’ll enjoy the guest-facing side of the role too. You’re friendly, polite and engaging, and understand that maintaining an exceptionally safe pool environment and creating a welcoming holiday atmosphere should go hand in hand.

Role Overview

As Head Lifeguard, you’ll lead the day-to-day operation of the Neilson Pool Team at our Alana Beachclub, maintaining exceptional standards of safety, professionalism and guest experience.

You’ll oversee pool safety, lifeguard standards, team development, risk management, equipment and the general operation of the pool environment.

You’ll also take responsibility for overseeing the resort’s swim coaching programme, coordinating sessions and supporting appropriately qualified members of the team to deliver safe, engaging swimming experiences for our guests.

You’ll still spend time actively lifeguarding, but an important part of your role will be making sure the whole team performs consistently well. You’ll support and develop your lifeguards, reinforce good practice and make sure operating procedures are understood and followed throughout the season.

You’ll also become a familiar face around resort, building relationships with guests and supporting the wider activity and resort programme.

It’s a role with genuine responsibility – and a brilliant opportunity to develop your leadership, communication and decision-making skills while leading a safety-critical operation.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead, support, motivate and develop the Lifeguard Team throughout the season.
• Oversee the safe and professional day-to-day operation of resort pool areas.
• Maintain consistently high standards of lifeguarding, vigilance and risk management.
• Lead by example and help create a positive, professional team culture.
• Support the training and ongoing development of Lifeguards.
• Mentor less-experienced team members and help them grow in confidence and ability.
• Ensure company operating procedures and health and safety requirements are consistently followed.
• Proactively identify, manage and report potential risks.
• Maintain accurate operational and safety records where required.
• Deliver lifeguarding duties and respond quickly and effectively to emergency situations.
• Ensure pool facilities, equipment and surrounding areas remain clean, organised, safe and welcoming.
• Monitor equipment and stock levels and report maintenance or replacement requirements promptly.
• Oversee the resort’s swim coaching programme and help ensure sessions are organised and delivered to a consistently high standard.
• Coordinate the swim coaching programme around guest demand, operational requirements and the qualifications and experience available within the team.
• Support appropriately qualified team members delivering swim coaching and Learn to Swim sessions.
• Support Fitness Instructors with pool-based activities where required.
• Build positive relationships with guests and provide excellent customer service.
• Support guest events, briefings and wider resort activities.
• Work closely with other resort departments to deliver an exceptional guest experience.
• Support resort set-up and close-down at the beginning and end of the season.
• Assist with airport transfers, arrivals and departures, giving guests a warm Neilson welcome.
• Support other departments where operationally required.

Skills & Experience

You’ll be great at this if you…

• Hold a recognised Pool Lifeguard qualification.
• Have previous professional lifeguarding experience.
• Have experience supporting, mentoring, supervising or leading others.
• Have excellent situational awareness and take safety seriously.
• Have a strong understanding of lifeguarding surveillance, rescue techniques and pool safety.
• Can remain calm, focused and decisive under pressure.
• Are confident taking responsibility and making sensible decisions.
• Have strong leadership and communication skills.
• Are approachable, considerate and able to get the best from different personalities.
• Are organised, proactive and able to manage competing priorities.
• Can effectively coordinate a swim coaching programme and support its safe delivery.
• Enjoy working with guests and delivering excellent customer service.
• Have a strong work ethic and lead by example.
• Are adaptable, energetic and happy to get involved in wider resort life.
• Work well independently and as part of a close-knit team.
• Have a good standard of spoken English.

It’d be a bonus if you also have…

• Previous supervisory or team leadership experience.
• A recognised swimming teaching or coaching qualification.
• Experience delivering Learn to Swim or swim coaching sessions.
• Experience coordinating a swimming programme.
• Experience working within a holiday, leisure, hospitality or resort environment.
• Previous overseas or seasonal experience.
• Additional activity or coaching qualifications.

Qualifications

You must hold a recognised Pool Lifeguard qualification to be considered for the Head Lifeguard role.

Relevant qualifications include:

• National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) or recognised equivalent.
• Recognised UK, Irish, European or international Pool Lifeguard qualifications and equivalent certifications.

Your Pool Lifeguard qualification must include appropriate First Aid training and remain valid for the duration of your contract.

If you’re unsure whether your qualification is suitable, please proceed with your application and provide full details of your certification for us to review.

You do not need to have completed every required qualification before submitting your application.

If you’re currently working towards, booked onto or planning to complete the required Pool Lifeguard qualification before your start date, please go ahead and apply and provide details of the qualification and your expected completion date within your application.

For full details covering Neilson qualification requirements and recognised equivalents, please click here: List of Accepted Qualifications

First Aid Requirements

The appropriate First Aid training included within your recognised Pool Lifeguard qualification is sufficient for this role.

You do not need to complete an additional Emergency First Aid at Work qualification.

Your Pool Lifeguard qualification, including its associated First Aid training, must remain valid for the duration of your contract.

We’ll validate your certification as part of the onboarding process.

For further information about Neilson’s First Aid requirements, please click here: First Aid Guidance

What’s in it for you?

Joining Neilson is more than just a summer job. It’s an opportunity to challenge yourself, develop new skills, build confidence, experience incredible destinations, and become part of a close-knit team creating unforgettable holidays every day.

The experience, resilience, and people skills you’ll develop along the way will stay with you long after the season ends – wherever life takes you next.

Alongside the experience, you’ll get:

• A paid seasonal role in an incredible overseas destination.
• Your own room within staff accommodation, which may be within a shared apartment or staff block.
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner while on duty, so your meals are taken care of.
• Travel to and from resort, subject to staff travel policy.
• Use of selected resort facilities in your spare time, so you can enjoy the destination too.
• Friends and family holiday discounts, giving the people at home the chance to experience Neilson for themselves.
• Comprehensive training and ongoing support to help you settle in, develop your skills and make the most of your season.
• Opportunities to gain additional qualifications through the Neilson Academy.
• Career development opportunities through our Jump Up and Jump Higher programmes.
• Visa and work permit support where applicable.
• Role-specific uniform provided.
• One day off each week, plus accrued holiday.
• Emergency medical and dental insurance.
• 24/7 independent mental health support.

It’s a season that gives you more than a payslip – you’ll come home with new skills, new friends, incredible memories and an experience that stays with you long after you’ve left resort.

Please note: All Neilson Active employees are required to complete a DBS check as part of our safer recruitment process.