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Theme park manager : Salary and conditions

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  • Range of typical starting salaries: £18,500 - £30,000 (salary data collected Oct 09). However, few actually start in management roles, with most graduates entering at non-management level.
  • Range of typical salaries at senior level/with experience (e.g. after ten years in the role): £35,000 - £75,000 (salary data collected Oct 09).
  • There is considerable variation in salary according to park size. Small, family-owned theme parks may offer lower salaries than larger, perhaps, corporately owned, parks. Larger parks may also offer additional benefits, such as a company car, health insurance and a pension scheme.
  • Working hours typically include regular unsocial hours. During opening times, working hours are usually flexible and will include evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
  • Most parks tend to be open from Easter until October/November and then close for a period during the winter for maintenance work and the installation of new rides and attractions.
  • The work is typically 70% park-based and 30% office-based during the season.
  • Women are increasingly reaching senior management positions, especially in specialist areas such as human resources management and marketing.
  • The job may be stressful. Managers work under pressure in a busy, noisy, fast-moving and highly competitive environment. They must ensure the park is attracting sufficient numbers and achieve consistently high standards of customer service. Tight project management deadlines are also a regular feature.
  • Managers are accountable for financial performance and for the safety of employees and the public. They are tasked with maximising profit with no compromises in safety.
  • Most theme parks are located in the countryside or near seaside resorts, and can be found throughout the UK and Europe. In many areas of Europe, particularly new or expanding tourist destinations, new theme parks are being developed, especially water parks. Safety regulations vary between countries, so some re-training is needed for work abroad.
  • Many UK, European and international parks are corporately owned, often by groups with a chain of parks or facilities, including hotels.
  • There may be occasional travel within a working day, for example to other attractions within a group.
  • Overnight absence from home and overseas travel are uncommon.
 
AGCAS
Written by Jane Whitmore, University of Manchester
Date: 
August 2009
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