Operations & Fleet Manager

We’re looking for an experienced Operations Manager to oversee dinghy, keelboat, and powerboat maintenance across our centres, lead instructors, and deliver RYA courses. The role is hands-on, combining fleet upkeep, course delivery, and admin, with working with our partner keelboat project. You’ll be a Dinghy SI and Powerboat Instructor, confident stepping up as Chief Instructor, and happy to work weekends with time off in the week. A driving licence is essential.

Information

Location:

South West London (Multiple sites – Hampton, North London, Surbiton, Wraysbury Guildford) & working from home

Type:

Full-time

Salary:

£32 - £38K, based on experience

Closing Date:

29th September 2025

Start Date::

November 2025 (can be flexible)

Apply now

Skills:

Strong practical boat maintenance (dinghies, keelboats, powerboats)
Leadership, organisation, and team coordination
Confident course delivery (RYA Dinghy Senior instructor)
Good admin, communication, and problem-solving skills
Flexible, hands-on, and reliable

Responsibilities:

Maintain dinghy fleets, 12 Sonar keelboats, and powerboats
Able to be Chief Instructor of an RYA centre, when required
Deliver RYA courses
Lead and support instructors to ensure high standards
Manage stock, ordering, and maintenance records
Carry out admin tasks (rotas, reports, budgets)
Support projects and safe daily centre operations
Work weekends (with time off in the week)
Work with our partner to delivery Keelboat events

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Experience:

Proven experience in dinghy, keelboat, and powerboat maintenance
Background in watersports centre operations and team leadership
Track record delivering RYA courses

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Qualifications

Essential

RYA Dinghy Senior Instructor
RYA Powerboat Instructor (or ready to take the course)
Valid driving licence

Desirable

Keelboat Endorsement
Racing Endorsement
WingSurfing/Foiling Instructor
SUP Instructor

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Description

This is a varied and practical management role with responsibility across multiple Keep Sailing centres. You’ll take the lead in keeping dinghies, Sonar keelboats, and powerboats in top condition, ensuring that fleets are safe, reliable, and ready for both training and events. Alongside maintenance, you’ll deliver high-quality RYA courses, support our team of instructors, and step up as Chief Instructor when required to maintain excellent training standards.

A key part of the role is working closely with our partner organisation to manage and deliver keelboat activity, including training programmes, racing, and special events. This will involve both hands-on maintenance of the Sonar fleet and active role in the events.

You’ll balance practical work with administration and play an important role in the safe daily operation of our centres.

This position suits someone who thrives on variety—switching easily between hands-on boat work, teaching on the water, and coordinating people and projects. It’s an opportunity to make a real impact on the development of our sailing operations and to help shape exciting new opportunities across dinghy, keelboat, and powerboat training.

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About Keep Sailing

Keep Sailing is a fast-growing, not-for-profit watersports organisation with centres in Hampton, North London, Surbiton, and Wraysbury. We deliver a wide range of RYA courses in dinghy sailing, powerboating, wing sports, and paddleboarding, alongside youth programmes, group activities with schools, corporate events, and instructor training.

Our mission is simple: to make watersports accessible, safe, and enjoyable for everyone.

As we expand rapidly, we’re investing in new projects & partnerships that open up even more opportunities on and off the water. We’re building something exciting — and we’re looking for people who want to be part of that journey.

Joining Keep Sailing means more than just a job: it’s a chance to shape the future of watersports, take on new challenges, and help grow a community that inspires the next generation of sailors and watersports enthusiasts.

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