HM Marine Operations Manager
- Post Date:25th March 2025
- Apply Before: 7th April 2025
- Views 10
Job Description
Job title: HM Marine Operations Manager
Department: Harbour Master Department
Grade: 4
Salary: £65,443 per annum
Base: Gravesend, Kent (regular travel to other PLA locations required)
Closing date: 7th April 2025
Interview date: 23rd April 2025
Who we are:
The Port of London Authority (PLA) is the statutory harbour authority for the tidal Thames, overseeing the UK’s largest port – 95 miles of the River Thames from the Estuary to Teddington in West London. Our mission is to keep river users safe, protect and enhance the environment, and promote the use of the river for recreation, trade, and travel.
The role:
The Port of London Authority (PLA) is recruiting a Harbour Master Marine Operations Manager, operating from our base in Gravesend but with frequent travel to all of our operational bases.
This role supports the Harbour Masters in delivering the safe and effective deployment of the District Harbour Launches & Gravesend pilot cutter to meet customer needs while complying with statutory and legislative requirements. As the line manager, the HM Marine Operations Manager will be responsible for delivering a trained, compliant and managed crew so that the Harbour Masters can effectively utilise the assets. This role will focus on fostering a high-performance culture with continuous improvements.
Key Responsibilities
The HM Marine Operations Manager duties include:
- Ensuring that all vessel operations are carried out in accordance with the company’s SMS, industry standards, and relevant maritime regulations. This includes monitoring safety performance and ensuring that safety procedures are followed during daily operations.
- Line management of all crew working under the Harbour Masters’ Department, responsible for crew leave, overtime, absences and compliance with absence procedures, ensuring adequate staffing levels handling personnel matters across the fleet. Carry out performance appraisals and crew development.
- Conduct regular safety inspections and risk assessments & method statements to identify potential hazards and ensure compliance with the company’s safety policies. They also ensure that corrective actions are implemented for any non-conformities found during audits.
- Develop and maintain personnel systems and documentation required for vessel operations, ensuring training, medical and personal information is available for on-call Harbour Masters to make informed decisions when required.
- Investigate all H&S accidents, near misses, and safety-related incidents onboard implementing lessons learnt and corrective actions ensuring thorough root cause analysis and that corrective and preventive actions are taken.
- To ensure that crew members receive necessary safety training and certification and to verify that all crew members understand and are competent in executing the SMS procedures, emergency drills, and safety protocols.
- Develop and implement training schedules for continual professional development for existing employees, trainees and apprentice progressing through the department & ensure that crew members receive necessary safety training and certifications.
- Lead the Harbour Masters’ engagement and input to the Vessel Safety Management System, effectively managing the implementation and engagement through the output and controls of the system.
- Lead on the development and maintenance of effective collaboration between all authority departments in relation to the fleet.
- Maintain an active presence afloat to oversee and support operations, conducting regular site visits for compliance, oversight and engagement.
The ideal candidate will meet the following requirements:
- A minimum of 5 year’s experience in a management role, demonstrating strong leadership abilities and effective team management skills.
- Advanced computer skills, capable of operating Microsoft Office & other software products.
- Ability to produce complex data spreadsheets, guides, and write clear, concise reports and formal papers.
- Ability to motivate and manage people.
- Experience and/or involvement in the management and delivery of training.
- Proactive, innovative approach to smarter working and improved efficiencies including the development of systems of work.
- Relevant experience in the marine and ports industry with an understanding of the overall makeup of the business end-to-end, its drivers, systems, and internal/external influences.
- Good planning, analytical, and organisational skills.
- Significant knowledge and demonstrable understanding of vessel coding, codes of practice, regulations, and legislation.
- Broad knowledge of the Thames River geography.
- Significant knowledge and demonstrable understanding of: Safety Management Systems, Implementing Policy, Pilotage Operations, Harbour Service Operations, Incident investigation, Risk
- Management, Contingency Management.
In return, we offer a competitive benefits package:
- 28 days of annual leave + Bank Holidays
- Private Medical Insurance
- Generous pension scheme
- Access to Occupational Health, Mindfulness, Counselling, and Physiotherapy services
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Access to MyGymDiscounts
- Salary sacrifice Car Scheme
To discuss this role or if you have any questions, please contact Lyn Kindlen-Funnell (Harbour Master) at Lyn.kindlen-funnell@pla.co.uk
The PLA are not registered with the UK Home Office and do not sponsor candidates who require a visa or work permit to work in the UK, therefore an offer of employment cannot be made unless you currently hold the rights to live and work in the UK.