Internal Mobility at Parkdean: How do I Change from One Department to Another?

With over 250 different hospitality careers of all shapes and sizes to choose from here at Parkdean Resorts, it comes as no surprise that many members of the team have enjoyed changing roles throughout their career with us.

We pride ourselves on giving people the opportunity for self-development and growth. Sometimes that means skill development, changing roles, changing departments, changing parks, or even moving from park to our Central Support Office and vice versa!

Fostering opportunities for people to move around and take on new challenges is important to us, as it enables teammates to create a career development plan that excites them – something that we’re definitely down with.

By taking advantage of internal opportunities opening up within Parkdean Resorts, you can take the next step in your career, build new skills, and feel more fulfilled—all without leaving a place you already like!

How do I change from one department to another at Parkdean?

Whether you’re moving along the sales ladder like Parkdean Holiday Home Sales Manager, Michael; or progressing from Receptionist to Owner, like our interviewee Clare, we’re keen to see you thrive in your hospitality career.

If you’re curious about hospitality jobs but fancy the flexibility of being able to work in different areas down the line, read on.

Clare Williamson’s career development plan

Take Clare Williamson, former General Manager and current Talent Development Coordinator at our Central Support Office in Gosforth, as a fantastic example.

Clare joined the Parkdean Resorts family back in 2014 as a seasonal receptionist at Whitley Bay. Over the course of the next 9 years, Clare’s gone on to work as Owner, Guest Experience Manager, and Deputy General Manager at Southerness; and General Manager at both Sunnydale and Cresswell Holiday Parks.

In 2023, Clare decided to take on another new challenge when she made the move from park to Central Support, where she’s now enjoying her role as Talent Development Coordinator as part of the Learning and Development team.

We sat down for a cuppa with Clare to find out what motivated her move and what she loves about her new role.

Tell us about your career progression at Parkdean

When I first joined Parkdean Resorts back in 2014 I wasn’t originally looking for a long-term hospitality career, but I fell in love with the industry and, over the years, enjoyed numerous opportunities for professional progression, self-development and personal growth.

Throughout my time in park-based roles, I discovered a love for training and developing my team. I got so much enjoyment out of supporting them so that they could reach their full potential; I then realised it was something I’d like to focus on.

That, coupled with a more structured work week that’s more harmonious with my current lifestyle, were the reasons I made the move into Central Support.

How has internal mobility helped your skill development?

In my new role, I’ve had the opportunity to hone lots of new skills. I now work to:

• help make sure all park teams have the learning materials they need for inducting new managers into the business
• help put together induction materials
• organise buddy parks for new starters to visit
• ensure people have the best experience possible in their first 4 weeks of employment with us
• support the Holiday Home Sales function with the evaluation of any training and assessments that the team do
• deliver the central inductions for our central team members. This month I delivered the first newly vamped up and improved central induction, which was great!

What would you like people to know about a career in hospitality?

I love what Parkdean Resorts do and are trying to do. We’re all about bringing holiday happy to our guests and owners—and it’s a pleasure to work in this field.

I loved visiting holiday parks across the UK when I was a little girl, so to be a part of that same experience is amazing. I believe my role equips our people with the skills needed to provide amazing customer experiences. 

The variety of roles available at Parkdean Resorts is eye-opening; you always have the opportunity to throw yourself into a new challenge and that is what I love doing.

Whether you’re looking for a new role in one of our 66 parks across the UK, or in our Central Support Office based in Newcastle, we'll have the perfect hospitality job for you. If you fancy taking up something different down the line? Well, that works too!

Discover hospitality jobs today

If you think you’d be great at bringing holiday happy to our visitors, we’d love to hear from you. 

There are a tonne of exciting hospitality job openings on offer at our resorts all over the UK, so if you’re ready to join the Parkdean Resorts family, check out our jobs and apply to join us.