Outdoor pursuits manager

Outdoor pursuits manager job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Typical responsibilities include:

• recruiting, training and supervising a team of staff including instructors
• planning and organising appropriate outdoor activity programmes
• handling booking enquiries
• ensuring compliance with safety regulations
• instructing groups in specialist areas
• managing budgets
• developing new activities
• liaising with group managers/social workers/teachers
• dealing with queries, complaints, accidents and emergencies
• producing educational materials
• promoting and marketing the business
• maintaining customer service standards
• attending training courses to keep qualifications up to date
• recording/reporting accidents
• buying, maintaining and checking the safety of facilities and equipment
• writing and submitting funding bids
• undertaking financial administration.

Typical employers of outdoor pursuits managers

• local authorities
• education authorities
• small private outdoor pursuits centres
• larger commercial organizations
• charitable organisations
• sports governing bodies
• national sports centres.

Opportunities are advertised via the internet, in local, regional and national newspapers, in publications including Times Educational Supplement, Opportunities, Leisure Management, Leisurejobs, The Leisure Manager, Leisure Opportunities and vacancy lists produced by the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management.

Qualifications and training required

A degree in any subject is acceptable, although employers may prefer graduates with qualifications in relevant subjects such as business management, sports science, physical education, recreation management, leisure studies, health management or tourism.

A postgraduate qualification in recreation management or outdoor education can be useful, particularly for graduates without relevant first degrees. It is essential to possess experience in and knowledge of a minimum of one outdoor activity. It is also normally necessary to have a formal instructor's qualification in that activity and to have worked as an outdoor pursuits instructor.

Experience gained from seasonal or vacation activity holidays, expeditions, Venture Scouts, Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme, etc is beneficial, as are lifesaving and first aid qualifications.

Key skills for outdoor pursuits managers

• physical fitness
• good state of health
• energy
• excellent leadership skills
• decision-making skills
• interpersonal skills
• verbal communication skills.