Deputy Marine Pilotage Manager

Port of London Authority; Gravesend; On-site; GBP 85,000; Full time

Job description

Job title: Deputy Marine Pilotage Manager

Department: Harbour Master Department

Grade: 2

Salary: £84,955 per annum (plus car allowance of £5,577 per annum)

Base: Gravesend, Kent

Closing date: 20th April 2025

Interview date: 9th May 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 Deputy Marine Pilotage Manager, operating from our base in Gravesend. The successful candidate will oversee the day-to-day operational and training management of pilots, pilot support operations and full deputy duties for the Marine Pilotage Manager (MPM) in all instances required.

This role leads a team within the Pilotage Department which sits within the Chief Harbour Masters team and supports in the delivery of a safe, efficient and economic Pilotage Service for an extended Estuarial Commercial Port. The service operates 365 days a year and 24 hours a day and is unpredictable throughout the period. Failure to provide a prompt service has significant fiscal consequences to the customer and creates reputational damage to the Port itself.

Key Responsibilities:

• Accountability for all matters concerning pilotage policy and strategic planning and implementation (including continual review and update), in conformance with marine pilotage legislation.
• Responsibility for assisting the MPM to set the Pilotage Department budget within the overall CHM budget and meeting set budget targets.
• Proactive assistance with finding solutions on all operational pilotage matters to ensure uninterrupted service.
• Assist the MPM in setting and maintaining pilot manning levels in the Port by managing the selection, recruitment, training and development of marine pilots.
• Provide day-to-day management of the department support staff, including the 24/7 Pilot Co-ordinators.
• Participate in the assessment, examination and review of Pilots to ensure satisfactory levels of competency and progression to meet Stakeholder demand.
• Ensure the efficient and beneficial use of the Ship Manoeuvring Simulator and continued improvement of the Simulator to meet business needs.
• Deputise in the provision of 365 x 24 out of hours availability to respond on own initiative to non-routine and crisis management enquiries including major incident response with specific 24–hour call-out responsibilities.
• Support the MPM with overall responsibility for Health & Safety for the Pilotage Department.

The ideal candidate will meet the following requirements:

• Graduate with relevant post grad qualification in maritime discipline or substantial experience in Marine or Port Operations.
• Up to date knowledge of national and international legislation and procedures affecting port operations.
• Significant experience as a senior manager with extensive budgetary responsibilities, ideally in a Port, Marine or related environment.
• Highly developed people leadership and management skills – able to flex style to get the best out of the wider pilotage team and individuals.
• Experience in managing a unionised workforce.
• A passion to make change happen complemented by strong empathy – to understand the impact on PLA stakeholders.
• Self-confidence & credibility to operate at board level as well as with first line teams.
• Open minded and commercially aware.
• Approachable yet able to give objective advice.
• Strong common sense.
• Excellent influencing and communication skills using a range of techniques to best effect. Must be able to make an impact and enthuse others of the need to change.
• Ability to adopt a consultative style and be able to listen.
• Personal resilience, confident and high drive to succeed.
• Innovative and creative in approach to work.
• An understanding of the overall makeup of the business end to end, its drivers, systems and internal / external influences.
• Broad knowledge of the Thames River geography would be an asset.

In return, we offer a competitive benefits package:

• 30 days of annual leave + Bank Holidays
• Private Medical Insurance
• Car allowance
• 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 Dave Newbury on [e-mail] or Kevin Beacon on [e-mail]

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 right to live and work in the UK.