At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to conserve and maintain historic ships at the National Museum of the Royal Navy.
- Company: Be part of a diverse and friendly workplace in a unique heritage environment.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, pension contributions, and discounts at shops and cafes.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and involvement in exciting projects like HMS Victory.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on preserving maritime history while engaging with visitors.
- Qualifications: Experience in shipwright practice and traditional boat building is essential.
The predicted salary is between 29993 - 32936 £ per year.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE ROYAL NAVY (NMRN)
Shipwright (Heritage Carpenter)
Salary (Grade 5) – £31,064 – £34,535 per annum (dependent upon experience)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week – permanent
Location: HMS Victory: The Big Repair at the Royal Navy Museum (RNM) based in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, with occasional support and travel to the other Royal Navy Museums sites.
Our epic story is of the Royal Navy, and its impact on Britain and the world. Here you can come aboard the most famous ships, planes, and submarines of the Royal Navy and experience them through those who served on them. Aswell as being truly captivated by the thousands of unique, emotional, and sometimes quirky stories that have shaped the Royal Navy into what it proudly stands for today.
Our vision is to be the world’s most inspiring Naval Museum, linking Navy to Nation. You are pivotal in us achieving our vision, and to support this we embrace diversity and want everyone to feel valued and have a sense of belonging.
This is a great opportunity to join the team
The Royal Navy Museums at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard are undertaking a once-in-a-lifetime repair on HMS Victory: The Big Repair.
As we move into the next phase of the major Conservation Programme, we are growing the team and looking for Shipwrights to join a friendly, multidisciplinary team of professionals. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to be part of conserving the world’s oldest commissioned ship.
You will be engaged in the conservation activities on board of HMS Victory with opportunities to work both on historic structures and new timbers. The new structures are produced in our state-of-the-art workshop and then fitted on board. Shipwrights are also involved in conservation and preservation of historic timber and metal components alongside the RNM conservators team.
Overseen by the Lead Shipwrights, your work will ensure that HMS Victory and RNM's Historic Ships, will be conserved for posterity and kept safely accessible to all members of the public. The ships are open all year round as public attractions, so you will have the opportunity to engage with our visitors about the important conservation work that you are undertaking.
You may also spend time based on our other Portsmouth ships – HMS Warrior and HMS M.33 - with occasional travel to the Museum’s other locations in the UK, including Gosport, Hartlepool and Belfast. Occasional weekend working may be required.
What you can bring:
- Specialist knowledge of construction of maritime joinery/shipwright practice, conservation and maintenance of historic ships, vessels or historic buildings.
- Experience in traditional Boat or Ship building, Joinery or timber construction techniques.
- Qualified to Level 3 City & Guilds Boatbuilding ), or another official boatbuilding qualification. Or equivalent Woodworking qualification or experience.
- Practical working knowledge of Health and Safety.
- As part of the restoration of HMS Victory, you will help remove planking from the hull and support other elements of the ship’s restoration. Please note this is a physically demanding role and will involve regular manual handling.
- A positive attitude and ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team.
What we offer:
- The opportunity to be part of a friendly and diverse workplace within a unique heritage environment.
- Group pension plan with Royal London (6% employer contributions, 2% employee contributions and death in service benefit).
- 25 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays), pro rata for part time employees, increasing to 30 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays) after 5 years’ service, pro-rated for part time employees, with the option to purchase additional annual leave.
- Enhanced maternity/adoption and paternity pay.
- Flexible working.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Free admission to other national museums and attractions within the reciprocal agreement.
- Discounts at our shops and cafes.
- Free and discounted tickets for family and friends.
- A range of other benefits including cycle to work
- Paid reservist leave.
We want you to succeed and showcase your skills and experiences, so if you are invited to interview, we will share our interview questions with you ahead of time. If you would like to have an informal discussion regarding the role, or ask any questions, contact Saul Hoffmann, HMS Victory Lead Shipwright, at
The role will be open to apply to until midnight on 2nd August, however we may look to interview throughout the period of the advert being live.
If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to the application process because of a disability, please contact the People team on for support.
This post requires a DBS check as a requirement of working on the naval base, as well as the right to work in the UK. Please note we cannot currently sponsor work visas.
To view the job description please click the link below,
#J-18808-LjbffrShipwright (Heritage Carpenter) in Portsmouth employer: National Museum of the Royal Navy
The National Museum of the Royal Navy is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work on the restoration of historic ships like HMS Victory in the vibrant maritime city of Portsmouth. With a strong emphasis on teamwork and safety, employees benefit from a collaborative work culture that fosters professional growth and skill development, while also enjoying the chance to travel to other RNM sites across the UK. Join us to be part of a meaningful conservation programme that preserves our naval heritage for future generations.
Contact Details:
National Museum of the Royal Navy Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Shipwright (Heritage Carpenter) in Portsmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! Before your interview, do a bit of research on the conservation and collections team at the National Museum of the Royal Navy. Understanding their projects and values will help you connect during your chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to talk about your experience in maritime joinery or shipwright practice, be specific. Share stories that highlight your hands-on skills and how they relate to the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Ask questions! Don’t hesitate to ask about the HMS Victory project or any other ongoing initiatives. This shows your genuine interest and enthusiasm for the role and the museum's mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! Make sure you submit your application via https://jobs.nmrn.org.uk/. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace Shipwright (Heritage Carpenter) in Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Skills:Make sure to highlight your specialist knowledge in maritime joinery and shipwright practices. We want to see how your experience aligns with the conservation and maintenance of historic vessels, so don’t hold back!
Tailor Your Application:Read through the job description carefully and tailor your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences they’re looking for. We love it when candidates connect their background directly to what we do at the National Museum of the Royal Navy.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your written application. We value diversity and want to get a sense of who you are beyond your qualifications. Share your passion for heritage and conservation!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application via our website before the deadline! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and is considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at National Museum of the Royal Navy
✨Know Your Craft
Make sure you brush up on your maritime joinery and shipwright practices. Be ready to discuss specific techniques you've used in traditional boat or ship building, as well as any conservation projects you've been involved in. This will show your passion and expertise in the field.
✨Engage with the Heritage
Familiarise yourself with the history of the ships you'll be working on, like HMS Warrior and HMS Victory. Being able to share interesting facts or stories about these vessels during your interview will demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role and the museum's mission.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
Since this role is physically demanding, expect questions about your experience with manual handling and timber construction techniques. Think of examples from your past work that highlight your ability to handle the physical aspects of the job safely and effectively.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
This position involves working within a multidisciplinary team, so be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others. Share examples of how you've worked successfully in teams before, especially in conservation or marine industry settings, to show you're a great fit for their friendly environment.
