Head of Engineering & Estates in Guildford

Head of Engineering & Estates in Guildford

Guildford Full-Time 65000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Wightlink | Isle of Wight Ferries

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead engineering and estates, ensuring safety and reliability of vessels and terminals.
  • Company: Wightlink, an award-winning ferry operator connecting the Isle of Wight and mainland UK.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a chance to make a real impact.
  • Other info: Opportunity for continuous improvement and sustainability initiatives in a collaborative environment.
  • Why this job: Join a dynamic team focused on innovation and community support in a vital transport sector.
  • Qualifications: Strong leadership and engineering management experience, ideally in maritime or transport.

The predicted salary is between 65000 - 80000 £ per year.

Company Description

Wightlink | Isle of Wight Ferries is an award-winning ferry operator, providing reliable services between the Isle of Wight and mainland UK and carrying around 4.2 million passengers each year.

With three routes and eight modern ferries, the organization connects people, businesses, festivals, and essential services across the Solent.

The ferries are equipped to high standards, offering comfortable outside decks, dedicated play areas, and cafés showcasing Isle of Wight food and drink.

Wightlink places strong emphasis on customer experience and community support, sponsoring sports, charity, and arts initiatives through the Wightlink in the Community scheme.

Role Description

The Head of Engineering & Estates is a full-time, on-site role based in the Portsmouth.

This role leads the engineering and estates function, overseeing the maintenance, reliability, and safety of vessels, terminals, and related infrastructure.

Day-to-day responsibilities include managing engineering projects, planning preventative maintenance, optimising asset performance, and ensuring compliance with relevant maritime, safety, and environmental regulations.

The role involves leading and developing multidisciplinary teams, managing third-party contractors, overseeing budgets and capital investments, and collaborating with operations, safety, and commercial teams to support service reliability and customer experience.

The Head of Engineering & Estates also contributes to long-term asset strategy, sustainability initiatives, and continuous improvement in engineering and estates processes.

Qualifications

  • Strong team leadership capabilities, including team management and the ability to motivate, develop, and support cross-functional engineering and estates teams.
  • Proven experience in engineering management within transport, maritime, infrastructure, or a closely related sector, with a focus on asset reliability and safety.
  • Demonstrated project management skills, including planning, budgeting, risk management, and delivery of capital and maintenance projects.
  • Familiarity with software development or engineering-related digital tools and systems (e. g., CMMS, asset management platforms) to support data-driven decision-making.
  • Relevant engineering degree or equivalent professional qualification (e. g., Mechanical, Electrical, Marine, or Civil Engineering), with chartered or professional registration essential.
  • Strong understanding of health, safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements, ideally in maritime or transport operations.
  • Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and negotiation skills, with experience working closely with operations, finance, and external partners.
  • Ability to work on-site across multiple locations, manage competing priorities, and drive continuous improvement and innovation in engineering and estates management.
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Head of Engineering & Estates in Guildford employer: Wightlink | Isle of Wight Ferries

Wightlink is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment on the picturesque Isle of Wight, where you can make a tangible impact on community connectivity and customer experience. With a strong focus on employee development, team collaboration, and sustainability initiatives, Wightlink provides ample opportunities for professional growth while ensuring a supportive culture that values innovation and safety in engineering and estates management.

Wightlink | Isle of Wight Ferries

Contact Details:

Wightlink | Isle of Wight Ferries Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Engineering & Estates in Guildford

Join Engineering Meetups!

Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Head of Engineering & Estates role you’re after at Wightlink | Isle of Wight Ferries.

Show Off Your Projects!

Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at Wightlink | Isle of Wight Ferries a taste of what you can bring to the table!

Engage with Online Communities

Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at Wightlink | Isle of Wight Ferries.

Apply Through Company Websites

When you spot a role like Head of Engineering & Estates at Wightlink | Isle of Wight Ferries, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Engineering & Estates in Guildford

Team Leadership
Engineering Management
Project Management
Budgeting
Risk Management
Asset Reliability
Safety Compliance

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Head of Engineering & Estates, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.

Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at Wightlink | Isle of Wight Ferries a clear picture of the value you can bring.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to Wightlink | Isle of Wight Ferries specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!

Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.

How to prepare for a job interview at Wightlink | Isle of Wight Ferries

Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles

Before heading into the interview with Wightlink | Isle of Wight Ferries, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!

Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills

Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.

Relate Your Experience to the Role

In a full-time role, employers like Wightlink | Isle of Wight Ferries want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.

Know Your Tools and Software

Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.