At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage bursary and welfare services for seafarers, ensuring their needs are met.
- Company: Marine Society & Sea Cadets, a leading maritime charity focused on youth development.
- Benefits: Generous salary, hybrid working, 25 days leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equity and inclusion in maritime welfare.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of seafarers while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Degree level education and experience in the not-for-profit sector required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 40000 £ per year.
Location: National Support Centre, London SE1
Contract: Full time, permanent
Salary: £40k
Closing Date: 1st May 2026
Marine Society have an exciting new role! Help us deliver and expand our core bursary and welfare services and support the needs of seafarers. You will manage our highly renowned Slater scholarship fund and other training bursaries, together with the Coming Ashore mentoring programme and careers advice and guidance resources.
You will be expected to have a good understanding of seafaring training and certification requirements and have experience of working in the not-for-profit sector. A background working in the maritime sector is helpful but not essential.
The Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC) is the leading maritime charity for youth development and lifelong learning. We are a vibrant and growing charity inspiring young people to achieve their potential through challenge and nautical adventure and also enabling seafarers and maritime professionals to realise their potential through learning and career development.
Working with our employees, cadets, and volunteers, we have built a strong vision and five-year Future Ready strategy to meet the growing demand for what we provide, both for young people, seafarers and maritime professionals - and the thousands who aspire to be the sea cadets and marine professionals of the future.
This new role is to manage the bursary and welfare services of Marine Society. This requires an in depth understanding of seafarer’s needs and the training and certification they require to progress in their careers, both at sea and ashore. The manager will also oversee wider aspects of careers information and guidance and assisting with fundraising activity.
Responsibilities- Assess and process all bursary applications, including Slater Scholarships, Worcester, Hanway and Green Skills bursaries against clearly defined eligibility criteria
- Authorise the award of financial bursaries and approve beneficiary claims and expenses
- Maximise the use bursary funding and ensure successful outcomes for beneficiaries
- Identify new bursary funding opportunities and devise bids in collaboration with the fundraising team
- Manage the bursary and Coming Ashore programme restricted funds. Monitor and report on expenditure and activity
- Manage the operation of the Coming Ashore mentoring programme and ensure its sustainability
- Produce statistical reports and analysis pertaining to bursaries and welfare services for internal and external stakeholders
- Put in place and maintain online and physical resources that provide seafarers with information, advice and guidance and supports maritime career development
- Lead the annual Matrix accreditation process
- Work with the Digital Marketing Coordinator to ensure the effective marketing of bursary and welfare provision through a range of media and ensure the website remains up to date and relevant to seafarer needs
- Represent Marine Society on external committees and forums that relate to welfare, including Merchant Navy Welfare Board and Nautilus Slater Management Committee
- Educated to degree level or equivalent professional qualifications/experience
- In depth knowledge and understanding of the training needs of UK and international seafarers including their welfare and certification routes within the maritime sector both at sea and ashore
- Experience of working as team leader or manager in the not-for-profit sector
- Experience of preparing and presenting reports to management team and funders as required
- Ability to use social media and press effectively to inform and promote seafarer welfare and professional development
For further information, please download the Recruitment Pack.
Benefits- 25 days annual leave per annum increasing with length of service
- Hybrid working for many roles
- Life assurance (4x salary)
- Private medical insurance
- Generous pension (employer contribution up to 10%)
- Cycle to work scheme
- Wellbeing portal and EAP with 121 counselling
- Employee development: We are investing in our employees' development and have an annual calendar of learning and development opportunities, designed to support employees to develop into their roles and stretch them to achieve their full potential
MSSC positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. Equity, diversity, and inclusion really matters to us, so we can best serve our beneficiaries from every community. MSSC is an equal opportunities employer.
We recognise our responsibilities to safeguard and protect the young people and vulnerable adults with whom we work. We do all we can to promote their health, safety and wellbeing, and we expect our staff to share this commitment and work in line with safeguarding policy, the MSSC's values and ethos of inclusivity. We adhere to safer recruitment practices and therefore employment is subject to detailed pre-employment checks for successful candidates, including references and criminal disclosure checks and the completion of a disclosure questionnaire.
All successful applicants are required to attend safeguarding training and undergo pre-employment checks including a criminal record check.
Bursary and Welfare Manager employer: MSSC (Marine Society & Sea Cadets)
Marine Society & Sea Cadets is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises employee development and inclusivity. With a generous benefits package including hybrid working, private medical insurance, and a strong commitment to professional growth, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact in the lives of seafarers and young people. Located in London, this role provides a unique opportunity to contribute to a leading maritime charity dedicated to lifelong learning and community support.
Contact Details:
MSSC (Marine Society & Sea Cadets) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Bursary and Welfare Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the maritime sector, especially those involved with welfare and bursary services. A friendly chat can open doors you didn’t even know existed.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for seafarers' welfare! When you get that interview, share your insights on their needs and how you can make a difference. It’s all about connecting your experience with their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for questions about funding and resource management. Brush up on your knowledge of bursary applications and how to maximise funding opportunities. They’ll want to see you’ve got the skills to manage their resources effectively.
✨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 serious about joining the Marine Society team.
We think you need these skills to ace Bursary and Welfare Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know Your Stuff:Make sure you understand the seafaring training and certification requirements. This role is all about supporting seafarers, so showing us that you know what they need will really make your application stand out.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic CV and cover letter. We want to see how your experience aligns with our mission at Marine Society. Highlight your relevant skills and experiences that relate directly to the bursary and welfare services.
Show Your Passion:Let us know why you’re excited about this role! Share your enthusiasm for helping seafarers and your commitment to the not-for-profit sector. A genuine passion can really shine through in your written application.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need right there!
How to prepare for a job interview at MSSC (Marine Society & Sea Cadets)
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of seafaring training and certification requirements. Brush up on the specifics of the bursary and welfare services that Marine Society offers, especially the Slater scholarship fund. This will show your genuine interest and expertise in the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your experience in the not-for-profit sector and any relevant leadership roles you've held. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've managed projects or teams, particularly those that relate to welfare services or career development.
✨Be Ready with Questions
Think of insightful questions to ask during the interview. This could be about the future direction of the bursary programmes or how they measure success in their welfare services. It shows you're engaged and thinking critically about the role.
✨Highlight Your Communication Skills
Since you'll be preparing reports and presenting to management and funders, it's crucial to demonstrate your communication skills. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, and consider sharing examples of past presentations or reports you've created.
