At a Glance
- 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: Competitive salary around £60,000, plus bonuses and benefits.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic environment with occasional evening and weekend work.
- Why this job: Shape a premium marina facility and make a real impact in a stunning location.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in operational settings, strong commercial mindset, and excellent stakeholder engagement skills.
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.
To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter to: Name: Gary Hall. Fast Apply Advert closes 5 June.
Head of Marina Operations in Cowes employer: COWES HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS
Cowes Harbour Commission offers an exceptional opportunity for the Head of Marina Operations to lead a premium marina facility in the stunning Isle of Wight. With a strong focus on employee growth, a commitment to outstanding customer service, and a vibrant work culture that values safety and environmental stewardship, this role allows you to make a significant impact in a key maritime operation while enjoying a competitive salary and benefits package.
Contact Detail:
COWES HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Marina Operations in Cowes
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the marine industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues or mentors. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your passion! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, let your enthusiasm for marina operations shine through. Share your ideas on enhancing customer experiences and driving commercial growth—this will set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its current projects, especially around the new premium marina facility. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to their success.
✨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 genuinely interested in being part of the Cowes Harbour team. Good luck!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Marina Operations in Cowes
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! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how your background in marine operations makes you the perfect fit. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Commercial Acumen:Since we're looking for someone with a strong commercial mindset, be sure to include examples of how you've driven revenue growth or improved operational efficiency in your previous roles. Numbers speak volumes!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you have all the latest info about the role. Plus, we love seeing applications come through our platform!
How to prepare for a job interview at COWES HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS
✨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 relevant to Cowes Harbour. This will show your passion and expertise during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience in complex operational settings. Think about times when you've inspired a team or driven commercial growth. Be ready to discuss how you can lead and develop a high-performing team at the marina.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Be prepared to talk about your strategic planning skills. Think of specific strategies you've implemented in previous roles that align with the goals of a marina operation. This will help illustrate your ability to shape the strategic direction of the new premium facility.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since building relationships is key for this role, come equipped with ideas on how you would engage with stakeholders, customers, and partners. Discuss your approach to maintaining these relationships and how it contributes to operational success.
