What Does the Role of a Campsite Manager Involve?
First and foremost, it’s important to determine whether this role suits you. Managing a campsite is far from a laid-back holiday job — it is a demanding professional role that requires dedication, versatility, and business acumen.
Your responsibilities will vary significantly depending on the size and type of campsite. Running a small rural campsite differs drastically from overseeing a 5-star holiday park with hundreds of pitches.
During the high season, managers typically oversee teams, monitor budgets, ensure guest satisfaction, and maintain the site to high standards. In the off-season, the focus shifts to commercial, administrative, and planning duties to prepare for the next season.
If you work for a chain or franchise, tasks such as marketing or online booking management may be handled at the head office level.
Managing a Small Family-Run Campsite
Running a small site usually involves minimal staff — often just the owners and seasonal help. As such, the manager must be hands-on across all areas: admin, maintenance, customer service, and more.
Many of these campsites are operated by couples, enabling task sharing. Flexibility and multitasking are essential for coping with the wide variety of day-to-day challenges.
Managing a Larger Holiday Park
The larger the site, the more the manager must delegate. Their role shifts toward strategic oversight, team leadership, and operational management.
Larger campsites typically have staff for front-desk reception, maintenance, cleaning, entertainment, landscaping, and more. The role begins to resemble that of a hotel general manager or holiday village director.
As you can imagine, the responsibilities of a manager vary significantly depending on the campsite's size, branding, and season.
Typical Responsibilities of a Campsite Manager
While duties vary, here are the most common tasks handled by campsite managers in the UK. Some may be delegated, others absorbed by the chain (if part of a group), and some intensified in smaller operations.
- Hiring seasonal and permanent staff
- Training and supervising team members (cleaning, reception, animation)
- Administrative and financial management (invoicing, payments)
- Sales and revenue monitoring
- Facility and grounds maintenance planning
- Guest services (bookings, check-ins, check-outs, phone enquiries)
- Reservation system and occupancy planning
- Scheduling staff rotas and managing contracts
- Budget management and cost control
- Dispute resolution
- Updating and maintaining the campsite’s website
- Advising and assisting guests during their stay
- Organising entertainment and activities
- Managing the on-site shop (orders, stock, sales)
- Preparing reports and business statistics
- Cleaning communal areas, toilets, and accommodations
- Ensuring compliance with all legal regulations (planning, health & safety, hygiene)
- Monitoring key performance indicators
- Ensuring the smooth operation of the site
- Liaising with suppliers and external service providers
- Managing municipal operations (for council-owned campsites)
- Planning and executing the site’s long-term development strategy
- Inspecting facilities, identifying maintenance or upgrade needs
- Performing basic on-site repairs and preventive maintenance
Pros and Cons of Being a Campsite Manager
Benefits of the Role:
- Challenging and rewarding work
- Diverse daily responsibilities
- Interacting with guests from all walks of life
- Working in a pleasant, holiday-oriented setting
- Outdoor and indoor work balance
- On-site accommodation usually provided
Challenges to Expect:
- Managing stress and high workloads
- Dealing with unexpected situations
- Frequent on-site movement and fieldwork
- Weekend and bank holiday availability
- Being constantly available during peak season
How Much Does a Campsite Manager Earn in the UK?
Salaries vary based on site size, location, and whether accommodation is provided. For small to mid-sized campsites, annual earnings generally range from £20,000 to £35,000, with housing often included as part of the employment package.
Career Outlook and Progression
Over time, managers can progress to larger, more prestigious campsites. Those employed by chains may be promoted to regional or national leadership roles.
The broad skill set gained in this role is highly transferable to the hospitality sector — including hotel management, resort operations, and tourism consultancy.