Theme park manager : Employers and vacancy sources

There has been a general expansion in the leisure industry during the past decade due to increased leisure time and a rise in disposable incomes. More recently, the strength of the euro and the economic downturn have seen a real growth in the domestic tourism market.

Today, considerable diversity and competition exist in the industry with a constant need for innovation and novelty to ensure that visitor levels are maintained and increased. Innovations range from developing existing sites and rides to the construction of completely new theme parks. Customer expectations continue to rise, with consequences for the theme park manager and staff at all levels, who are affected by the need to plan and innovate and improve customer communication.

Merlin Entertainments Group Ltd  is now the world's second largest leisure group, second only to Disney. It offers a graduate management programme and is based in Poole, Dorset from where it manages a portfolio of brands and over 50 attractions including the famous Madame Tussaud's, Legoland parks, Sealife Centres, the Dungeons, the London Eye, Alton Towers, Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures in the UK. It also owns and manages Gardaland in Italy, Earth Explorer in Belgium and Heide Park in Germany.

A wide range and increasing number of national and international theme parks have developed. Parks may be focused on rides and sideshows or, increasingly, as themed experiences with rides forming only part of a visit. Parks of the latter kind may have a range of on-site attractions including visitor centres, museums and zoos. Many larger parks also incorporate guest accommodation and hotels, often in line with the theme of the park. There are approximately 35 theme parks across the UK and Europarks - European Federation of Leisure Parks represents more than 300 parks throughout Europe. The commercial or private sector is made up of some very large operators, as well as a large number of smaller companies.

Sources of vacancies

• Search graduate jobs on this site.
• American Theme Park Jobs
• British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions (BALPPA)
• Leisure Management
• Leisure Opportunities
• World's Fair
• World Leisure Jobs
• Individual theme park websites and local press.

Recruitment agencies rarely deal with vacancies, although headhunters may handle senior positions.

Get tips on job hunting, CVs and covering letters and interviews.