Wanted: Director, Bristol Harbour Authority (Harbour Master, Master Mariner Qualified)

Salary £99,598 plus relocation

Bristol City Harbour

This job post will be advertised for a minimum period of two weeks on LinkedIn. After this time please apply directly to https://opportunitybristol.com/ until the closing date of Sunday 14 September.

Shape the commercial future of Bristol Harbour. Bristol Harbour is a place of immense potential. It is a working harbour with a rich maritime heritage, a growing leisure destination, and the focal point of one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration programmes. As we move forward with the transformative Western Harbour development, we are looking for a commercially astute and strategically minded leader to take on the role of Director of Bristol Harbour Authority. This is a rare opportunity to lead the Harbour into a new era.

You will be responsible for the strategic direction, commercial development and safe operation of the Harbour and its estate. From overseeing marine services and engineering to managing estates and business support, you will lead a team of up to 50 staff and ensure the Harbour is run efficiently, safely and in line with all statutory obligations. You will be the public face of the Harbour Authority, representing Bristol at local, regional and national levels. You will work closely with elected members, internal council teams, and a wide range of external partners including the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Marine Accident Investigation Branch, Environment Agency, Marine Management Organisation, British Ports Association, other Harbour Authorities, user groups, and voluntary and private sector organisations.

To succeed in this role, you must be a qualified Master Mariner (Class 1 or RN equivalent) or hold a Port Management or Harbour Master Diploma or Certificate, with membership of a relevant professional body. While this role carries the statutory responsibilities of the Harbour Master, it is well supported by a dedicated Harbour Operations Manager and a team of specialists in marine services, engineering, estates and business support.

You will also need to be a dynamic, confident and innovative leader, capable of developing and delivering business and marketing strategies, managing complex stakeholder relationships, and identifying new commercial opportunities to ensure the Harbour becomes financially self-sufficient. Strong communication, influencing and report-writing skills are essential, as is the ability to lead high-risk, high-impact projects and represent the Harbour at board level.

This is a career-defining role in one of the UK’s most exciting urban waterfronts. With a competitive benefits package and panoramic views of the Harbour and city from your office, in this position you will have the ability to influence at both a corporate and political level playing a key part in the major transformation that will shape Bristol’s future for generations to come.

At Bristol City Council, we value having a workforce as diverse as the city we serve. We therefore welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. Appointments will be made on merit.

For further information please visit our microsite by clicking Apply and speak to our executive search partners GatenbySanderson: Ben Parsonage (ben.parsonage@gatenbysanderson.com) or Delicia Coutinho (delicia.coutinho@gatenbysanderson.com)

Closing Date: 14th September 2025

Seniority level: Director

Employment type: Full-time

Job function: Engineering, General Business, and Management

Industries: Government Administration and Maritime Transportation