Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage lifeboat stations, ensuring safe and effective operations.
- Company: Join RNLI, dedicated to saving lives at sea with a passionate team.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, 26 days leave, and an outstanding pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while developing leadership skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in people management and the marine environment is essential.
- Other info: This role requires flexibility, including evenings and weekends, and travel within the region.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 48000 £ per year.
About us
Our purpose is simple: to save lives at sea. 24 hours a day, every day, RNLI lifesavers are ready to launch to the rescue, and our crews need a dedicated, talented team behind them, and that is where you come in.
We are looking for an Area Operations Manager to join our South-West regional team, who will be responsible for visibly leading and managing the people across your designated area, to ensure you are delivering a safe, effective and inclusive lifeboat service.
The Benefits
- Salary: £41,242 to £48,520 (dependent on experience)
- 26 days’ annual leave (plus Bank Holiday days)
- Outstanding pension scheme (contributions of up to 16% of basic salary)
- Life Insurance
- Health and dental cash plan option
About the role
As Area Operations Manager, working alongside an Area Technical Manager you will provide leadership, direction and support to your teams in an active maritime operational environment, looking after both full time staff and volunteers. Working as a part of the South West regional team you will be a credible people manager used to leading in an operational maritime environment.
You will:
- Provide leadership, direction, management and guidance to a group of lifeboat stations, ensuring they are operating in line with RNLI values, policies and procedures, to deliver the core lifeboat service.
- Inspire, lead, support, coach and develop your team, promoting interpersonal relationships, in order to create an inclusive environment for all RNLI people.
- Collaborate with other colleagues within the South-West region to deliver the RNLI’s lifesaving service and objectives through operational support, education, influence and education.
About you
The role of the RNLI Area Operations Manager is to provide support and management to our lifeboats within the South-West. This includes Minehead, Burnham on Sea, Weston super Mare, Portishead, Alderney, St Helier, St Catherines and St Peter Port lifeboat stations. Each of these stations is managed by a volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager, with the majority of boat and shore crew being volunteers.
In addition to providing day to day support to your stations, you will be busy carrying out assurance activities at your stations throughout the year, in order to ensure that they are being run in a safe and legally compliant way. You will be an experienced people manager and have experience in the marine environment, although you will not be a formal part of the lifeboat crews, you will be expected to go afloat with your team, as you are ultimately accountable to the Regional Operations Lead for the operational effectiveness and safety of your station teams.
You will be expected to provide leadership, direction and support to your teams in an active operational environment, looking after both full time staff and volunteers. Working as a part of the South West Regional team you will be a credible people manager used to leading in a fast moving operational environment.
You will:
- Inspire, lead, support, coach and develop your team of staff and volunteers, promoting interpersonal relationships, in order to create an inclusive environment for all RNLI people.
- Actively manage and be responsible for the safe and effective delivery of the RNLI’s lifesaving services through all aspects of a defined assurance framework.
- Collaborate with other managers within the South-West Region to deliver the RNLI’s lifesaving service and objectives through operational support, influence and education.
We are looking for a genuine team player who can bring their skills and experience to help deliver lifesaving services in this area. This is not a 9-5 job; for you it will be a passion, being prepared to work in the evenings and occasional weekends to support your stations and volunteers at a time that suits them. You will also be on a 8-10 week duty rota, and will be prepared to turn out to support your stations when they need you, sometimes at unsociable hours. You will need to live within the area covered by these stations or within easy commuting distance (Max 1 hour).
As part of the role, the successful candidate will be expected to travel throughout the RNLI South West Region for meetings and to support other regional managers as well as undertake occasional travel within the UK and Ireland.
So, if you are ready for your next exciting challenge as our new Area Operations Manager, and if you consider yourself to be someone who is a natural leader who can inspire and motivate a team of dedicated people then please apply via the button shown.
Area Operations Manager - South West Area 1 employer: RNLI
Contact Detail:
RNLI Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Area Operations Manager - South West Area 1
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the RNLI's core values and mission. Understanding their commitment to saving lives at sea will help you align your leadership style with their objectives, making you a more appealing candidate.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former RNLI staff and volunteers. Engaging with them can provide valuable insights into the organisational culture and operational challenges, which you can reference in your discussions during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your experience in managing teams in fast-paced environments. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully led diverse groups, particularly in maritime or emergency services, to showcase your relevant skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to discuss your approach to fostering inclusivity within teams. The RNLI values an inclusive environment, so think about strategies you've implemented in the past to support and develop team members from various backgrounds.
We think you need these skills to ace Area Operations Manager - South West Area 1
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of the Area Operations Manager. Familiarise yourself with the RNLI's mission and values, as well as the specific requirements outlined in the job description.
Tailor Your CV: Highlight your relevant experience in people management and operational environments. Emphasise any previous roles that involved leading teams, especially in maritime or volunteer settings, to demonstrate your suitability for the position.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to showcase your passion for the RNLI's mission. Discuss how your leadership style aligns with their values and provide examples of how you've successfully managed teams in challenging environments.
Showcase Your Commitment: In your application, express your willingness to work flexible hours and your readiness to support volunteers and staff during critical times. This will show that you are genuinely committed to the role and the RNLI's lifesaving services.
How to prepare for a job interview at RNLI
✨Show Your Passion for Lifesaving
Make sure to express your genuine enthusiasm for the RNLI's mission to save lives at sea. Share any personal experiences or stories that highlight your commitment to maritime safety and community service.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in previous roles, especially in operational environments. Highlight your ability to inspire and develop both staff and volunteers, as this is crucial for the Area Operations Manager position.
✨Understand the RNLI Values
Familiarise yourself with the RNLI's core values and policies. Be ready to discuss how you would ensure that your teams operate in alignment with these values while delivering effective lifeboat services.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in high-pressure situations. Think about past challenges you've faced in a maritime or operational context and how you managed them effectively.
