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- Tasks: Lead and develop marina operations, ensuring exceptional customer experiences and driving commercial growth.
- 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 with opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team focused on sustainable harbour management and community benefit.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on a new premium marina facility at a pivotal stage of its evolution.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in operational environments, preferably in marine or leisure sectors.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 60000 £ per year.
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.
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 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.
- Lead marina and visitor operations, ensuring safe, efficient and high-quality service delivery
- 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
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.
- Strong strategic thinking and commercial acumen
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills
- 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.
This role may require occasional evening and weekend working to support operational and event needs.
Locations
Planning & Operations Executive 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 Planning & Operations Executive in Cowes, Isle of Wight
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the marine and operational sectors, especially those connected to Cowes Harbour. Attend industry events or local meet-ups to make connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your experience! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your past successes in leading operations and driving commercial growth. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've made a difference in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to appear. Reach out directly to Cowes Harbour Commission and express your interest in the Head of Marina Operations role. A personal touch can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s values and recent projects. Tailor your responses to show how your skills align with their mission of delivering exceptional customer experiences in the marine environment.
We think you need these skills to ace Planning & Operations Executive in Cowes, Isle of Wight
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the marine and operational environment shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about delivering exceptional customer experiences.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your relevant experience in marina operations or similar fields. We’re looking for specific examples of how you’ve driven commercial growth and improved service delivery in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that get straight to the heart of your achievements and skills. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
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 marine sector. Understand the key challenges and opportunities in this field, especially those related to customer experience and operational efficiency. This will show your passion and expertise during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, particularly in operational environments. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully led teams, driven commercial growth, and managed budgets. This is a senior role, so demonstrating your strategic thinking and decision-making skills is crucial.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you’ve built relationships with stakeholders in previous roles. Be prepared to share specific instances where your engagement led to positive outcomes. This will demonstrate your ability to connect with various parties, which is essential for the Head of Marina Operations position.
✨Understand Compliance and Safety Standards
Familiarise yourself with health and safety regulations relevant to marina operations. Be ready to discuss how you’ve ensured compliance in past roles and how you plan to maintain high standards at Cowes Harbour Marina. This shows you take safety seriously and are committed to operational excellence.