Assistant Director Technical Standards in Southampton

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is seeking an Assistant Director Technical Standards. The MCA implements the government's maritime safety policy in the United Kingdom and works to prevent the loss of life and occurrence of pollution on the coast and at sea. As Assistant Director Technical Standards, you will provide strategic leadership and oversight across the Technical Standards function within UKTMS, ensuring the development and implementation of effective maritime regulations and standards that promote safety, sustainability, and innovation. You will drive high performance, foster a culture of accountability and inclusion, and ensure alignment with national and international maritime objectives. You will support the Deputy Director Technical Services in shaping strategic direction, workforce planning, and stakeholder engagement, while maintaining regulatory excellence and safety.

Top Responsibilities

• Responsibility for the Technical Standards team ensuring delivery of effective regulations and standards, building regulatory best practice within the team in the following areas: Cargoes, Safety and Pollution Prevention, Clean Ship Operations, Fishing Vessel Safety, Ship Safety, Ship Construction and Equipment.
• Providing leadership to the team and the wider Agency and create an environment in which all staff embrace individual accountability and professional responsibility.
• Work with the Deputy Director to develop strategic direction and priorities, ensuring alignment with wider MCA and UKTMS plans and objectives.
• Developing the team to be able to effectively differentiate between the needs of different types of stakeholders (e.g. CEOs, Ministers, Customers) and tailor communication accordingly.
• Contributing to the delivery of a regulatory climate that is clear, consistent and supportive of the UK maritime industries and ensures that the UK has standards and regulations which safeguard ships, seafarers, the environment, and the public.

Key Benefits

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary.
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

About You

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

• Demonstrable extensive experience of regulatory development, legislative and parliamentary processes and operating at a senior management level.
• Experience of interpreting and reframing ideas and goals into achievable technical and regulatory objectives, against which options can be developed and outcomes identified.
• Proven leadership skills and experience in managing a diverse team of staff and budgetary resources.
• Experience of working with a range of senior stakeholders and decision makers (for instance ministers, non-executive directors etc.) and their organisational processes.
• Experience of supporting others to identifying the cause of a problem and utilizing technical and regulatory knowledge to help solve.
• A valid passport for international travel.

You will be required to provide evidence that you hold any essential qualifications/licenses at some point during the recruitment process. If you cannot provide evidence, your application will be withdrawn.