Activity Manager

Job overview

As Activity Manager, you are responsible for the overall delivery, quality, and safety of the activity and excursion programme. You’ll oversee all operational logistics — from coach bookings and venue entrances to staff coordination and risk management — ensuring a seamless, engaging experience for our students.

You’ll lead by example, motivating your team of Activity Leaders and the Onsite Activity Coordinator to deliver sessions confidently, proactively, and in line with our CHEERS values.

Activity Leaders

Staff stories

Taking on the role of Activity Manager after 3 summers of working as an Activity Leader was a challenge but hugely rewarding. There is a huge amount of planning and admin involved, and I needed to stay on top of all the different bookings and knowing how many coaches I needed for each trip! But the huge satisfaction of seeing an excursion run well after all the planning, and seeing the happy students return afterwards, is hard to put into words.

Job details

Full Board

Accommodation and meals provided throughout your contract. No deduction will be made for this.

Salary

£690.00 per week*

Holiday Pay

12.07% holiday pay will be added to your salary.

Working Hours

Up to 48 hours per week based on 6 working days.

Reporting to

Centre Director

Locations

Uppingham, Edinburgh, Rugby, Bedales, Royal Russell, Berkhamsted, Colchester & Cheltenham.

Available Contract Dates

Temporary – April, July & August 2026

Pre-joining training dates

Management staff are required to attend a paid training weekend in advance of starting their contract.

An online safeguarding course will need to be completed prior to your arrival at the centre.

Key responsibilities:

Onsite Activities

Our onsite programmes are a diverse mix of sports, arts and crafts and creative activities; this involves collaborating with external providers such as bushcraft, funfairs and DJs. Your Onsite Activity Co-Ordinator is there to help you with the planning and delivery, however final decisions are always yours.

You’ll be expected to:

Ensure your Onsite Senior Activity Coordinator (OSAC) plans sessions well in advance, maintains accurate equipment inventories, and communicates any stock or space issues early.
Ensure all staff are fully familiar with, and have signed all appropriate risk assessments
Regularly review rotas with the OSAC
Check and confirm all facility bookings with the host school, adjusting as necessary to accommodate programme needs.
Periodically observe onsite sessions to monitor Activity Leader engagement, student behaviour, and overall programme quality — providing timely and constructive feedback.
Anticipate and manage risks, resolving potential issues before they disrupt the programme

Excursions

2 or 3 times a week every student will go on an excursion. These require a huge amount of planning and attention to detail.

You’ll be expected to:

During your first days on-site, conduct a full audit of all excursion bookings – including transport, entrances, and restaurants – to confirm accuracy, timings, and capacity.
Ensure the right number of coaches are booked and that all groups arrive safely and punctually at their destinations.
Maintain an updated excursions plan, including departure times, key contact details, and emergency procedures.
Double-check all bookings and entrance times to attractions, making amendments directly with providers where needed.
Double-check that all dietary, accessibility, and welfare needs are covered before each trip.
Brief Activity Leaders thoroughly before each excursion – covering the tour route, safety expectations, crowd control, and contingency plans
Remain contactable during all excursions, ready to support staff in case of any issues or last-minute change

Key Performance Indicators

High levels of student, Group Leader, and client satisfaction with both excursions and onsite programmes.
Excursion logistics run smoothly with no significant delays, missed entrances, or safety incidents.
Staff feel supported, motivated, and receive timely feedback.
No major financial overspends or unplanned costs (e.g., surplus coaches, incorrect bookings).
Accurate and timely communication with senior management and host school partners.
Proactive identification and resolution of potential operational risks.
Accurate records of risk assessments signed by staff

Group Leaders

The Group Leaders are our clients, and well-executed excursions are key to ensuring their satisfaction.

You’ll build positive, professional relationships with them — holding regular meetings to discuss upcoming trips, listening actively to their feedback, and taking action where needed to deliver the best possible experience for their students.

Centre Management Support

The management team works best as a unit – supporting one another to keep the centre running smoothly. You may occasionally need to step in and assist other areas, especially during busy arrival and departure days, ensuring everything runs seamlessly for students and staff alike.

Community & Pastoral Care

Safeguarding and student wellbeing are everyone’s responsibility. You’ll help create a safe, welcoming environment and be alert to students’ emotional and social needs – and take appropriate action when needed.

Your eligibility

You must:

be over 18 years of age
be eligible to work in the UK
get an enhanced DBS check*

You should:

Have existing people management experience
be confident and organised with logistics
have an understanding of basic safeguarding procedures

It's a plus if:

you are a first aider
have experience working with teenagers
you’ve done this before!

* Dusemond will assist applicants in obtaining an enhanced DBS check and cover the cost.

Working for Dusemond means:

Lasting Friendships

Our staff build close friendships and camaraderie that often lasts well beyond the end of our programmes, with the chance to be re-united the next season!

Career progression

If you thrive in the amazing environments we work so hard to create, you’ll want to grow with us. Many first year staff return to become supervisors and managers.

References Provided

The broad range of skillsets required, make Dusemond centres excellent places to develop and substantiate your abilities for future roles.