General Manager in Hampshire, Portsmouth

RS Aqua is one of the UK's leading ocean technology companies, empowering scientists, engineers, defence organisations and maritime industries with cutting-edge underwater technologies, sensors and systems. For over 40 years, we have enabled the discovery, understanding and protection of the world's oceans through innovation, expertise and customer partnership.

Part of the General Oceans group, RS Aqua combines the stability of an established market leader with the momentum of a sustained high-growth business. Over recent years the company has consistently expanded its markets, capabilities and customer base, creating an exceptional platform for its next phase of growth.

This is an opportunity to build on genuine momentum, shape the future direction of the business and unlock significant opportunities across multiple markets, technology and new commercial models.

As General Manager, you will have full leadership responsibility for RS Aqua's strategic, commercial and operational performance. Reporting to the General Oceans President, and holding the group reporting title of Executive Vice President (EVP), you will drive sustainable growth, develop high-performing teams, strengthen customer and partner relationships, and position RS Aqua as a market leader within the global ocean technology sector.

You will lead with energy, visibility and ambition, balancing entrepreneurial thinking with disciplined operational execution and strong corporate governance. This position offers genuine autonomy. General Oceans believes in empowering its operating companies, giving leaders the freedom to shape strategy, build teams, pursue new opportunities and make decisions close to the customer. We're looking for someone who relishes that responsibility and enjoys creating value, rather than simply managing the status quo.

• Execute the strategic direction of RS Aqua in alignment with General Oceans group objectives.
• Identify and deliver opportunities for sustainable growth, market expansion and innovation.
• Develop new commercial opportunities beyond traditional equipment sales, expanding recurring revenue through services, support, software, AI-enabled solutions, rental, data and long-term customer partnerships.
• Strengthen RS Aqua's position across scientific, defence, offshore, environmental and maritime sectors.
• Drive long-term commercial success while maintaining the company's reputation for technical excellence and customer support.
• Build, inspire and develop a high-performing and collaborative team.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, inclusion and continuous improvement.
• Act as a visible and engaging leader across employees, customers, partners and the wider industry.
• Champion talent development, succession planning and organisational capability.
• Deliver against agreed revenue, profitability and operational performance targets.
• Ensure effective execution across sales, engineering, operations, customer support and supply chain functions.
• Drive operational efficiency, scalability and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain strong customer relationships and ensure exceptional customer experience.
• Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory and corporate governance requirements.
• Operate effectively within a listed-company environment, including reporting, compliance and risk management expectations.
• Partner closely with General Oceans leadership and peer operating companies to unlock collaboration opportunities and shared growth.
• Lead annual budgeting, planning and reporting processes to Group standards and timelines.

We're looking for an experienced business leader with the capability and ambition to lead a technology-focused organisation through its next stage of growth. While operational excellence remains fundamental, we're looking for someone who sees beyond today's business. Someone who can build on RS Aqua's strong foundations by identifying new opportunities, evolving the commercial model and creating long-term value for customers, employees and shareholders.

You’ll likely bring:

• Senior leadership experience as a General Manager, Managing Director, Business Unit Leader or equivalent.
• A strong commercial track record of delivering sustainable growth and profitability.
• The ability to identify and develop new revenue streams and commercial opportunities.
• Experience growing recurring revenue through services, software, rental, support or other value-added offerings would be advantageous.
• Experience within ocean technology, maritime, defence, subsea engineering, scientific instrumentation, environmental technology or related sectors.
• The ability to operate confidently in technically complex and innovation-led environments.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to develop high-performing teams and build lasting customer relationships.
• Experience working within a listed-company or international group environment would be advantageous.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• A hands-on, pragmatic, collaborative and delivery-focused leadership style.

Alongside a competitive remuneration package, this is an opportunity to lead a business with exceptional foundations and even greater potential. You'll inherit an experienced team, a respected international brand, loyal customers and the backing of General Oceans, while retaining the autonomy to shape the company's future.

Whether that’s entering new markets, developing new service offerings, expanding software and data-driven capabilities, or creating entirely new revenue streams, you'll have the freedom to make a lasting impact on one of the UK's leading ocean technology businesses.

You’ll also:

• Lead a highly respected ocean technology business with a strong heritage and global reputation.
• Be part of the rapidly growing General Oceans group.
• Work alongside passionate experts committed to advancing ocean science and technology.
• Play a key role in enabling safer, smarter and more sustainable use of the world's oceans.

Location: Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK. This is primarily an onsite leadership role with international travel as required.