At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead vessel operations, ensuring safety and compliance while guiding your team.
- Company: Join Serco, a top international employer with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, pension scheme, health perks, and discounts.
- Other info: Opportunities for training, development, and internal progression await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on marine operations and support local communities.
- Qualifications: MCA Certificate of Competence Master 500GT and current STCW certification required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Ross-Shire, IV40 8AJ
Salary: Competitive salary plus excellent benefits
Schedule: Permanent, full time, rostered 6 weeks on, 3 weeks off
For applicants who live further than 80 miles away from Kyle of Lochalsh, Serco will pay a maximum of 0.45p per mile for travel to and from base.
Ready to impact a better future? As a Master in our Maritime North – OOP Operations team, you’ll lead the safe and efficient operation of our vessel, guiding colleagues and clients with confidence and care. Your work will directly contribute to delivering safe, reliable marine operations that support communities and create a positive impact across the region. Every day, you’ll help ensure our vessel, colleagues, and clients are protected, prepared, and ready for their mission. You’ll champion safety, uphold standards, and bring clarity to complex operations – all while helping shape a safer future for those who depend on vital marine capability.
What you’ll do as a Master
- Lead the vessel’s overall command, ensuring compliance with Flag and Class legislation, Serco Marine Integrated Management System, and company policies
- Maintain responsibility for all shipboard operations, including vessel and crew certification
- Prepare the vessel for voyage and tasking, and oversee shipboard management and safety committee meetings
- Liaise with operational authorities on vessel tasking and operational matters
- Create and maintain operational, technical, and client documentation
- Promote operational efficiency, morale, welfare, and safety for all colleagues on board
- Ensure full familiarity with the vessel’s construction, navigation, manoeuvrability, and equipment
- Establish and review risk assessments and operational procedures
- Conduct daily inspections to maintain high standards of hygiene, cleanliness, and preservation
- Personally supervise navigation during critical operations such as port entry, confined waters, or adverse conditions
Does this sound like you? You’ll be a great fit for this role if you have:
- MCA Certificate of Competence Master 500GT (Near Coastal) as a minimum
- Current STCW certification, including essential safety and survival training
- An unrestricted ENG1 medical certificate
- A strong safety mindset and methodical approach to operations
- The ability to obtain BPSS and, where required, further security clearance
This role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance, which involves verifying your identity, employment history, nationality, and criminal record to meet government security standards. In addition, depending on the nature of the role, you may need to obtain formal Security Clearance (such as CTC or SC), which includes more detailed background checks on employment, criminal record, and financial history to ensure suitability for working in secure environments. Please note that UK residency requirements may apply for certain levels of clearance. You will also complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire so we can identify and provide any support you may need to undertake the role effectively.
Discover all you need to keep growing
We’re one of the top 1% of international employers, so you can have confidence you’ll be part of a highly supportive culture with leaders you can count on to help you achieve your goals. From mentoring and training to our focus on internal progression, we’re proud to offer clear development opportunities – and the support and tools to help you seize them.
What we offer
- Pension: Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
- Training and development: Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships, mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression
- Health and wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service
- Discounts: Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel
- Charity: Paid volunteering day, tax-free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme, and support through the Serco People Fund
- Employee networks: Inclusive spaces that support connection, collaboration, and belonging for all colleagues
Let’s impact a better future, together. Apply today.
To discover more about our careers in Defence, meet our team, and to find out more about what we offer, please follow this Link.
Please click on the apply button to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large volume of applications for our roles and when that happens, we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment.
At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. As such we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. As a proud Disability Confident Leader and holder of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard, disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview.
Master employer: Serco
At Serco, we pride ourselves on being a top international employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. As a Master in Ross-Shire, you'll benefit from competitive salaries, extensive training opportunities, and a strong focus on safety and well-being, all while contributing to vital marine operations that positively impact local communities. Join us to be part of a diverse team where your skills are valued and your career can flourish.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Master
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the maritime industry, especially those who work at Serco. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info about the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of safety regulations and operational procedures. Show us you’re not just a master of the sea, but also a master of the rules that keep everyone safe!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership skills! Think of examples where you've led a team or handled a crisis. We want to see how you can guide your crew with confidence and care.
✨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 our team at Serco.
We think you need these skills to ace Master
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Experience:When writing your application, make sure to highlight your relevant experience as a Master. Use specific examples that demonstrate your leadership skills and safety mindset, as these are key for the role.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the job description. Mention how your qualifications, like your MCA Certificate of Competence, align with what we’re looking for.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid jargon and focus on what makes you the best fit for the Master position.
Apply Through Our Website:Make sure to apply through our website to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. It’s the best way for us to review your details and get back to you quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Serco
✨Know Your Vessel Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of the vessel you'll be operating. Familiarise yourself with its construction, navigation systems, and equipment. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you're ready to take command.
✨Safety First, Always
Given the emphasis on safety in this role, prepare to discuss your safety mindset and experiences. Think of specific examples where you've upheld safety standards or dealt with emergencies. This will demonstrate your commitment to maintaining a safe working environment.
✨Brush Up on Regulations
Make sure you understand the relevant Flag and Class legislation, as well as the Serco Marine Integrated Management System. Being able to talk confidently about compliance will show that you’re not just a capable Master, but also a responsible one.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills during critical operations. Think through potential challenges you might face, such as navigating confined waters or adverse conditions, and how you would handle them. This preparation will help you shine in the interview.