Youth Activities Manager

Cruise Academy

8h•Onsite

About The Position

The Youth Activities Manager leads the onboard Youth & Family Program, overseeing the planning, delivery, and continuous improvement of age-appropriate activities for children and teens. This role ensures a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment for young guests while maintaining the highest standards of child safeguarding, safety, and guest satisfaction. The position is responsible for team leadership, program quality, operational coordination, and collaboration with shipboard departments to enhance the overall family guest experience. The Youth Activities Manager plays a key role in delivering memorable experiences while ensuring compliance with safeguarding policies and operational standards in a shipboard environment.

Requirements

Minimum of 3–5 years’ experience in youth programming, education, or recreational leadership, including at least 1–2 years in a supervisory or managerial role
Previous shipboard experience in an equivalent youth leadership role
Minimum of one year of experience in hosting, facilitation, or entertainment-related roles
Proven experience designing and delivering engaging, age-appropriate activities for children and teens
CPR and First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain prior to embarkation)
Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills
High level of professionalism, integrity, and discretion when working with minors and families
Ability to work long hours, weekends, and holidays in a shipboard environment
Fluent in English, both written and spoken

Nice To Haves

Degree or diploma in Education, Recreation, Child Development, Hospitality, or a related field
Formal child safeguarding training or certification
Experience managing budgets, inventories, and operational logistics
Strong organisational and time-management skills in fast-paced environments
Clear, confident communication style with strong interpersonal skills
Additional language skills

Responsibilities

Lead the Youth & Family Program by planning, organising, and overseeing a diverse range of age-appropriate activities for children and teens
Ensure a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all participants, maintaining strict adherence to child safeguarding, safety, and operational protocols
Coach, mentor, and develop Youth Staff, fostering a culture of accountability, service excellence, and continuous improvement through training, feedback, and performance management
Collaborate with entertainment and shipboard leadership to align youth programming with the broader onboard entertainment strategy and operational objectives
Monitor program performance and guest satisfaction, using feedback and data to inform improvements and enhance the overall experience for families
Manage program logistics, including activity scheduling, inventory control, and budget tracking, ensuring efficient use of resources and alignment with financial targets
Support cross-functional initiatives that enhance the family guest experience, collaborating with departments such as Food & Beverage, Shore Operations, and Guest Services
Promote a positive, inclusive, and professional team culture that encourages creativity, innovation, and high standards of conduct