Swim Coach -  Lifeguard - Summer 2027

Job Introduction

SWIM COACH - LIFEGUARD

Location: Various Neilson Beach Clubs overseas
Season: April – November
Qualifications Required: Recognised Swimming Teaching/Coaching and Pool Lifeguard qualifications (see details below)
Eligibility: UK & EU passport holders
Salary: £700 PCM gross, plus commission on private swimming lessons, shared 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.

In a Nutshell

• Spend your season teaching swimming and helping guests become more confident, capable and comfortable in the water.
• Deliver swimming lessons and coaching to adults and children across a wide range of abilities.
• Combine professional swim teaching with Lifeguarding and pool safety responsibilities.
• Earn additional commission through private swimming lessons.
• Join a supportive Active Team while developing your coaching, communication and guest service experience.

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’ve got a fantastic range of overseas opportunities and we’re looking for enthusiastic, adaptable people with great personalities, a strong work ethic and a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences.

Some of our roles require specific professional qualifications before you can join us, and Swim Coach & Lifeguard is one of them. For this role, you’ll need both a recognised Swimming Teaching/Coaching qualification and a recognised Pool Lifeguard qualification.

You don’t necessarily need years of resort experience behind you, though. If you’ve got the required qualifications, a great attitude and you’re ready to learn, we’ll provide the support, environment and experience to help you develop throughout your season.

About You

Swimming is your thing, and you genuinely enjoy helping other people get more from being in the water.

You could be helping a nervous beginner develop their first real sense of water confidence, supporting a child as they learn a new skill or working with an experienced swimmer who wants to improve their technique, efficiency or endurance.

Whatever their starting point, you’re patient, encouraging and able to adapt the way you teach to the person in front of you.

You’ve got the confidence and personality to make sessions engaging and enjoyable while still delivering technically sound, progressive coaching.

You’re also a qualified Lifeguard and understand that safety is never secondary to coaching. You remain alert, professional and aware of what’s happening around you and can respond calmly and effectively when required.

You’re energetic, organised and resilient, with a strong work ethic and a genuine willingness to get involved. You’re a great team player, considerate of the people around you and comfortable taking responsibility.

You’re adaptable, willing to learn and take feedback positively. Most importantly, you’re excited by the opportunity to share your passion for swimming while developing your own experience in a busy overseas resort environment.

Role Overview

This is not simply a Lifeguard role with the occasional swimming lesson thrown in.

Swim teaching and coaching form a core part of this position, and you must hold the required professional Swimming Teaching/Coaching qualification alongside a recognised Pool Lifeguard qualification before joining us.

As a Neilson Swim Coach & Lifeguard, you’ll deliver swimming lessons and coaching sessions for adults and children across a wide range of ages and abilities.

You’ll help complete beginners develop water confidence and fundamental skills while supporting more capable swimmers with stroke development, technique, efficiency and endurance.

Different people learn in different ways. Great coaching is about much more than knowing the technical answer – it’s about communicating it in a way that helps someone understand, improve and enjoy themselves.

Depending on the programme, resort, your qualifications and the appropriate operating procedures, there may also be opportunities to support or deliver open-water swimming activities.

Alongside your coaching responsibilities, you’ll be an important member of the Lifeguard Team. When you’re not delivering swimming sessions, you’ll support pool operations, supervise guests, identify risks and help maintain the highest standards of safety throughout the pool environment.

It’s a varied role that gives you the opportunity to combine two professional skill sets while becoming a big part of the wider Neilson guest experience.

What You’ll Be Doing

Swim Teaching & Coaching

• Deliver engaging, progressive and professionally structured swimming lessons for adults and children.
• Deliver Learn to Swim programmes, private lessons and technique-focused coaching sessions.
• Work with swimmers across a wide range of ages, abilities and confidence levels.
• Assess individual ability and adapt your coaching accordingly.
• Help beginners develop water confidence and fundamental swimming skills.
• Help developing swimmers improve technique, efficiency and confidence.
• Support stronger swimmers looking to improve stroke technique, fitness and endurance.
• Plan sessions with clear objectives and appropriate progressions.
• Adapt your communication and coaching style to suit different individuals and learning styles.
• Provide positive, constructive feedback that helps swimmers understand their progress.
• Create an encouraging environment where guests feel comfortable challenging themselves.
• Promote the Neilson swimming programme and encourage guest participation.
• Support or deliver open-water swimming activities where appropriately qualified, authorised and operationally required.

Lifeguarding & Pool Safety

• Supervise pool areas and maintain a safe environment for guests.
• Apply effective surveillance and preventative Lifeguarding techniques.
• Remain alert and proactively identify potential hazards and unsafe behaviour.
• Respond calmly, confidently and effectively to incidents and emergency situations.
• Administer First Aid when required and appropriately qualified.
• Ensure guests follow established pool safety procedures and operating rules.
• Identify, manage and report risks promptly.
• Maintain consistently high standards of health, safety and professionalism.
• Work closely with the Head Lifeguard to maintain Neilson pool operating standards.

Wider Resort Responsibilities

• Build positive relationships with guests and provide exceptional customer service.
• Be approachable, engaging and enthusiastic throughout the guest experience.
• Assist Fitness Instructors with the safe delivery of pool-based activities where required.
• Work positively alongside the Children’s Club Team where swimming and pool activities form part of the wider programme.
• Keep pool facilities, teaching equipment and surrounding areas clean, organised and welcoming.
• Monitor equipment and supplies and report maintenance or stock requirements promptly.
• Support the daily set-up and pack-down of pool operations.
• Get involved with guest events, briefings and wider resort activities.
• Work closely with colleagues across the resort 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 and professional Neilson welcome.
• Support other departments and resorts where operationally required.

Skills & Experience

You’ll be great at this if you…

• Hold recognised professional Swimming Teaching/Coaching and Pool Lifeguard qualifications.
• Genuinely love teaching swimming and helping people improve.
• Can confidently teach both adults and children.
• Understand how to adapt sessions for different ages, abilities and learning styles.
• Have strong technical knowledge of swimming development and progression.
• Can make technical coaching easy to understand.
• Are patient, encouraging and empathetic when working with nervous or less confident swimmers.
• Can challenge and motivate more experienced swimmers appropriately.
• Take safety seriously and understand the responsibility that comes with Lifeguarding.
• Can remain calm and make sensible decisions under pressure.
• Have a great personality and enjoy interacting with guests.
• Are energetic, engaging, considerate and approachable.
• Have a strong work ethic and are happy to get stuck in.
• Are organised, resilient, adaptable and flexible.
• Are a great team player and enjoy supporting the people around you.
• Are willing to listen, learn and develop throughout the season.
• Can work independently and take responsibility when required.
• Can confidently communicate and instruct in English.
• Are genuinely excited about the opportunity to live, work and develop overseas.

It’d be a bonus if you also have…

• Extensive swimming teaching or coaching experience.
• Experience teaching both adults and children.
• Experience coaching swimmers across a particularly wide range of abilities.
• Open-water swimming or coaching experience.
• RYA Powerboat Level 2.
• Previous professional Lifeguarding experience.
• Previous customer service experience.
• Experience working within hospitality, leisure, activity centres or holiday environments.
• Previous overseas or seasonal experience.

Experience is important, particularly in a specialist coaching role like this, but we’re also interested in qualified people who demonstrate the right personality, professionalism, work ethic and potential.

Qualifications

You must hold both a recognised Swimming Teaching/Coaching qualification and a recognised Pool Lifeguard qualification.

Recognised swimming qualifications may include:

• ASA / Swim England Level 2 Teaching Swimming.
• SEQ Level 2 Teaching Swimming.
• STA Award or Certificate in Teaching Swimming.
• Recognised equivalent UK, Irish, European or international qualification.

You must also hold:

• National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) or recognised equivalent.
• Valid First Aid certification appropriate to your Lifeguard qualification.

We welcome applications from candidates holding recognised UK, Irish, European and international qualifications.

If you’re unsure whether your qualifications are suitable, please go ahead and apply 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 one of the required qualifications 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

Open-Water Swimming

Depending on the resort programme and operational requirements, this role may include supporting or delivering open-water swimming activities.

Any open-water activity must be delivered in accordance with Neilson operating procedures and within the scope of your qualifications, experience and authorisation.

Additional qualifications may be required to independently lead specific open-water swimming activities.

First Aid Requirements

A valid First Aid certificate is required for this role and must remain valid for the duration of your contract.

Your Lifeguard qualification may include associated First Aid training, so please ensure all certification required for your role remains current throughout your season.

Any additional First Aid certification required must be completed through an appropriate in-person practical course.

ONLINE-ONLY FIRST AID COURSES ARE NOT ACCEPTED

Your required certification must be in place by your start date and remain valid for the duration of your contract.

For full details covering Neilson First Aid requirements, please click here: First Aid Guidance

Commission

Alongside your salary, you’ll have the opportunity to earn additional commission on private swimming lessons.

Private lessons give guests the opportunity to work with you individually on their confidence, technique or personal swimming goals while giving you the opportunity to increase your earnings throughout the season.

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.
• Shared staff accommodation, so you’re right at the heart of resort life and part of the team from day one.
• 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.