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- Tasks: Lead and develop marina operations, ensuring exceptional customer experiences and commercial success.
- Company: Join Cowes Harbour Commission, a key player in the Isle of Wight's maritime community.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus, and benefits package in a stunning location.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic environment with occasional evening and weekend work.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a premium marina facility and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in operational settings, strong commercial mindset, and excellent stakeholder engagement.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Isle of Wight
Package: Circa £60,000, plus bonus and benefits
Are you a commercially minded leader with a passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences in a marine or operational environment? This is a rare opportunity to lead the development of a new premium marina facility—maximising capacity and utilisation, shaping its strategic direction, and driving its success at a pivotal stage in its evolution. Join us in a high-profile harbour organisation at the heart of the Isle of Wight’s maritime community.
We are seeking a Head of Marina Operations to lead, develop and grow marina and visitor services, ensuring they are safe, efficient, customer-focused and commercially successful.
About the Role
Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will take full responsibility for the leadership, performance and strategic direction of marina and visitor operations. This is a senior leadership role combining long-term strategic planning with hands-on operational delivery. You will be a key in developing and delivering the new premium visitor experience at Cowes Harbour Marina—optimising capacity and utilisation, driving commercial growth and ensuring the highest standards across safety, compliance and service delivery across all aspects of the operation.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead marina and visitor operations, ensuring safe, efficient and high-quality service delivery
- Develop and implement strategy for marina and visitor operations, aligned with wider organisational goals
- Drive commercial growth, identifying new revenue opportunities and enhancing occupancy
- Hold full ownership of budgets, financial performance, and business planning
- Oversee marina infrastructure, maintenance and capital projects
- Champion a strong health & safety and environmental culture
- Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders, customers and partners
- Lead, develop and inspire a high-performing team
About You
You’ll be an experienced senior leader with a strong commercial mindset and a track record of delivering results in operational environments such as marinas, ports, marine services or similar. You will bring:
- Proven leadership experience in a complex operational setting
- An inspirational and motivated leader
- Strong strategic thinking and commercial acumen
- Experience managing budgets and driving revenue growth
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills
- A commitment to delivering outstanding customer service
- Solid understanding of health & safety and compliance
- Experience in the marine or leisure marine sector is highly desirable.
Cowes Harbour Commission is the statutory harbour authority for Cowes Harbour and operates as an independent trust port for the benefit of all harbour users and the wider community. Established under the Cowes Harbour Acts and Orders 1897–2012, its primary role is to ensure the safe, efficient and sustainable management of one of the UK’s busiest leisure harbours, while supporting commercial activity, marine services and access to the Isle of Wight. As a trust port, Cowes Harbour Commission has no shareholders and receives no funding from central or local government. All surpluses generated through harbour operations are reinvested directly into the maintenance, improvement and long-term development of the harbour, ensuring it continues to serve as a vital gateway to the Island and a key asset for the local economy.
Why Apply?
- Opportunity to shape and influence a key maritime operation
- Strategic leadership role with real impact
- Stunning Isle of Wight location
- Competitive salary and benefits package
Additional Information
This role may require occasional evening and weekend working to support operational and event needs.
Please visit: cowes.co.uk/about-us/jobs/ to view a full copy of the job description.
To apply
Please submit a CV and covering letter to: Name: Gary Hall Email: ceo.chc@cowes.co.uk
Advert closes 5 June 2026
Locations
Head of Marina Operations in Cowes, Isle of Wight employer: Cowes Harbour Commission
Contact Detail:
Cowes Harbour Commission Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Marina Operations in Cowes, Isle of Wight
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the marine industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its operations. Understand their goals and challenges, especially in the context of the Isle of Wight's maritime community. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in making an impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've led teams and driven commercial growth in previous roles. Highlight your strategic thinking and ability to inspire others—these are key traits for the Head of Marina Operations.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the team and contributing to the success of Cowes Harbour Marina.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Marina Operations in Cowes, Isle of Wight
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of Marina Operations role. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant operational achievements to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences and how your strategic mindset can drive our marina operations forward. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Commercial Acumen: We’re looking for someone with a strong commercial mindset, so don’t forget to mention any past successes in driving revenue growth or managing budgets. Numbers speak volumes, so include those figures if you can!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cowes Harbour Commission
✨Know Your Marina Operations
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of marina operations and the specific challenges they face. Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in the marine sector, especially those that could impact Cowes Harbour Marina. This will show your passion and understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in complex operational settings. Think about times when you inspired your team or drove commercial growth. Be ready to discuss your leadership style and how it aligns with the vision for the new premium visitor experience.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Be prepared to talk about your approach to strategic planning. Consider how you would develop and implement strategies for marina and visitor operations that align with organisational goals. Highlight any past experiences where your strategic decisions led to measurable success.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since building relationships is key in this role, think of ways you've successfully engaged with stakeholders in the past. Prepare to discuss how you would maintain and build these relationships at Cowes Harbour Marina, ensuring a customer-focused and commercially successful operation.