Job Details:
Job Reference: HCC623518
Salary Range: £40,643 - £45,077 per annum
Work Location: Calshot Activities Centre, Calshot
Hours per week: 37
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 30 March 2026
Interview Date: 13 April 2026
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Programme and Activities Manager to join our Calshot Activities Centre Team at Hampshire County Council.
Are you an experienced outdoor professional with strong leadership skills, a passion for high quality provision, and the ability to balance programme excellence with operational oversight?
Calshot Activities Centre is a flagship coastal outdoor activity centre on the Hampshire coast, set in a unique maritime environment at the entrance to Southampton Water. One of the UK’s largest and most diverse residential outdoor centres, Calshot accommodates up to 210 guests and delivers an exceptional breadth of residential, educational and recreational opportunities to schools, groups and the wider public, supporting life changing experiences for more than 90,000 visitors each year. Further details can be found at .
The Role:
As Calshot Programme and Activities Manager, you will play a central role in shaping, leading and delivering the Centre’s activity and learning offer. You will lead a large, skilled and diverse operations team of around 40 colleagues, including Senior Instructors, Lead Instructors, Instructors, Environmental Tutors and Apprentices, united by a shared commitment to outstanding outdoor learning and recreation.
You will have overall responsibility for the delivery, quality and safety of more than 30 activities, ranging from sailing and skiing to climbing, environmental studies and much more. The role combines strategic programme leadership with hands on operational oversight, ensuring provision is inclusive, engaging, safe and responsive to customer needs.
As a key member of the Centre Management Team, you will work closely with the Centre Manager to contribute to strategic planning, income generation, staff development and continuous improvement. You will set high professional standards, develop staff capability and model a strong safety culture, ensuring consistently excellent customer experiences across all areas of the Centre.
What you’ll do:
1. Lead, manage, and develop the activity and learning programme at Calshot Activities Centre, ensuring high quality, safe, and inclusive provision for a wide range of users.
2. Provide day to day operational oversight of programme delivery, engaging with Course Directors, staff, and visiting groups to proactively identify and resolve issues and maintain customer confidence.
3. Lead and support staff quality, training, and compliance, including inductions, ongoing development, and spot monitoring of permanent, casual, and visiting staff.
4. Ensure effective duty management is in place, including overseeing a duty manager rota covering evenings, weekends, and school holidays, and maintaining strong oversight at key handover points.
5. Support the Centre Manager in risk management, safeguarding, and health and safety compliance, promoting a positive safety culture across all activity areas.
6. Contribute to business planning, income generation, and performance monitoring, supporting the Centre’s sustainability and growth.
7. Work closely with colleagues, particularly the Customer Engagement Manager and Visitor Services Coordinator, to ensure effective communication, coordination, and smooth day to day operation of the site.
8. Deputise for the Centre Manager as required, contributing to operational and strategic decision making.
What we’re looking for:
9. Proven management experience in outdoor education or centre based activity provision.
10. Strong programme leadership skills, with experience of quality assurance, staff development, and operational oversight.
11. Relevant National Governing Body qualifications aligned to the Centre’s activity programme, and a commitment to ongoing professional development.
12. Sound understanding of health and safety, safeguarding, and risk management in outdoor or residential settings.
13. Excellent communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills, with a strong customer focused approach.
14. Ability to work flexibly, including evenings, weekends, and school holidays, as part of a duty and on call rota.
Why join us?
Hampshire County Council is recognised nationally as one of the highest performing local authorities in the UK, with a strong focus on delivering high quality services for residents and visitors. We are immensely proud that our teams are so committed to delivering the high standards that our strong reputation is built on. There are many reasons why we are an excellent choice for your next career move. Hampshire is an inspiring place to. In addition to your salary, we offer an excellent, including:
15. Competitive annual leave entitlement.
16. Employee Support and Wellbeing.
17. A range of flexible working options.
This is a great opportunity to lead one of the UKs most diverse outdoor centres.
Additional Information:
Calshot Programme and Activities Manager
Vetting Requirements:
This role is subject to a Criminal Records Check.