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- Tasks: Lead and manage marina operations, ensuring safety and efficiency in boat handling.
- Company: Dynamic organisation in leisure boating and property sectors with a fun culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a vibrant work environment.
- Why this job: Join a start-up environment and make a real impact in marine operations.
- Qualifications: Experience in mechanical or marine engineering and team leadership required.
- Other info: Opportunity for growth and hands-on involvement in a diverse team.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
My client is a dynamic, forward-thinking organisation operating across the leisure boating, marina, and property sectors. They are seeking a commercially minded, motivated leader with strong mechanical and marine engineering expertise, coupled with hands-on experience in marine and lifting operations. This role requires excellent planning, a proactive mindset, and the ability to drive operational performance while leading a small, diverse team.
Company Vision
To create vibrant, innovative destinations where people connect, thrive, and enjoy exceptional experiences—supported by seamless service across all locations.
Company Culture
The business prides itself on a fun, energetic, progressive work environment. Alongside the required technical and leadership skills, the successful candidate must bring a positive attitude, be a strong team player, and be willing to get involved at all levels. Career development is actively supported throughout the organisation.
Location
West Itchenor, with occasional travel to support other sites or attend events.
Working Pattern
Core hours: 08:00–17:00 with a 30-minute lunch break, plus rostered weekend work. Flexibility will be required during peak operational periods.
Job Purpose
This is a hands-on leadership role overseeing the safe, efficient and customer-focused delivery of 7-day-a-week marina, boatyard, and Lift & Launch operations. The role involves running indoor/outdoor lifting, launching, storage, and racking operations. This is a start-up environment, ideal for someone who thrives on building operations from the ground up. You will develop processes, grow and train your team, manage site safety and compliance, maintain machinery, and implement new Lift & Launch service propositions while ensuring the site operates smoothly and professionally.
Key Responsibilities
- Operations & Safety
Implement robust site safety measures in line with risk assessments and compliance requirements. Ensure full adherence to Health & Safety, statutory regulations, environmental legislation, and LOLER. Drive operational efficiency and proactively resolve challenges before they escalate. Oversee efficient boat movement, storage, and racking logistics to maximise space utilisation. Develop and embed new Lift & Launch service offerings into daily operations. Organise “bolt-on” customer packages, including care and maintenance services. Ensure safe execution of all lifting, launching, scrubbing, mast handling and set-down activities. Conduct routine safety inspections, drills and fire safety checks. Maintain high standards of site cleanliness and presentation. - Machinery, Equipment & Compliance
Take ownership of all machinery and equipment, ensuring proper usage, servicing, and compliance. Implement processes covering machinery, site standards, H&S, and legal requirements. Manage lifting equipment, boat movers, tractors and mechanical assets to ensure safe operation. Coordinate planned maintenance, repairs, and compliance checks (including LOLER). Maintain accurate records for all servicing, repairs and audits. - Team Management & Leadership
Recruit, train and motivate a high-performing operations team. Plan staff scheduling to optimise labour efficiency across peak and quieter periods. Conduct daily briefings, toolbox talks, and performance reviews. Implement training plans for technical skills, customer service, and safety. Demonstrate strong, credible leadership while remaining supportive and approachable. - Customer Service & Site Presentation
Act as the on-site operational lead for all customer interactions. Respond promptly to customer enquiries, issues, and feedback. Maintain exceptional standards of site cleanliness, facility upkeep, and presentation. Keep accurate records of boat movements, job completion, and operational work using job cards and software. - Maintenance & Contractor Management
Manage external contractors for repairs and infrastructure improvements. Ensure all contractor work meets operational and safety standards. Plan and oversee minor maintenance projects and coordinate defect resolution. - General Administration
Maintain accurate vessel records, including berth and storage logs. Act as a keyholder and provide out-of-hours emergency support when needed. Review processes regularly and implement improvements. Assist with marketing, PR and service initiatives to support business growth. Support the operational delivery of events.
Required Experience & Skills
Mechanical or marine engineering qualification, or minimum four years’ hands-on experience in mechanical/engineering roles. Minimum four years in a management role, including at least two years in marina, boatyard or machinery operations (or strong passion/understanding of boating if from a non-marine background). Proven team leadership experience, particularly in building and developing operational teams. Ability to work efficiently at pace and proactively resolve challenges. Confident, charismatic leadership style—authoritative yet approachable. Strong knowledge of H&S, compliance, and LOLER. Experience managing and maintaining machinery and lifting equipment. Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills. Strong customer service and communication skills. Practical, hands-on approach with experience operating yard equipment.
Competencies & Behaviours
Proactive Problem Solver: Identifies issues early and mitigates risks before they impact operations. Continuous Improver: Reviews processes regularly and recommends improvements. Transparent Communicator: Keeps teams and stakeholders updated on progress, challenges, and priorities. Effective Planner: Organises structured daily plans for Lift & Launch operations and reallocates resources dynamically. Rapid Responder: Acts quickly and decisively when issues arise to minimise operational disruption.
If this sounds like something you would be interested in, then please call Sarah on 07502 163910.
Marine Operations Manager employer: Marine Resources Recruitment Ltd
Contact Detail:
Marine Resources Recruitment Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Marine Operations Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture before your interview. Research their values and mission, and think about how your experience aligns with their vision of creating vibrant, innovative destinations. This will help you connect on a personal level during the conversation.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare some solid questions to ask during your interview. Show that you're genuinely interested in the role and the company by asking about their future projects or how they measure success in the operations team. This not only demonstrates your enthusiasm but also gives you valuable insights.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Think of specific examples where you've successfully led a team or solved a problem. Be ready to share these anecdotes, as they’ll showcase your hands-on experience and proactive mindset, which are key for this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. Mention something specific from your conversation to remind them of your fit for the role and your enthusiasm for joining their team.
We think you need these skills to ace Marine Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Marine Operations Manager role. Highlight your mechanical and marine engineering expertise, as well as any hands-on experience in marine operations. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase your leadership style and how you plan to drive operational performance. Don’t forget to mention your proactive mindset and ability to work in a fun, energetic environment like ours.
Showcase Your Team Management Skills: Since this role involves leading a diverse team, make sure to highlight your experience in recruiting, training, and motivating staff. We love candidates who can demonstrate strong leadership while being approachable and supportive.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get to know you better. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our vibrant team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marine Resources Recruitment Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your mechanical and marine engineering knowledge. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experiences that showcase your expertise in marine operations and lifting techniques. This will show the interviewers that you’re not just a leader, but also someone who understands the technical side of the role.
✨Show Your Leadership Style
Prepare to talk about your leadership approach and how you've successfully built and motivated teams in the past. Think of examples where you’ve implemented training plans or improved team performance. This is crucial for a role that requires strong team management skills.
✨Emphasise Safety and Compliance
Since safety is a top priority in this role, be ready to discuss your experience with health and safety regulations, compliance measures, and how you’ve ensured safe operations in previous positions. Highlight any specific safety initiatives you’ve led or contributed to.
✨Be Customer-Focused
This role involves direct customer interaction, so think about how you’ve handled customer enquiries or resolved issues in the past. Prepare to share examples that demonstrate your commitment to exceptional service and how you maintain high standards of site presentation.
