Head of Harbour & Marine Operations

Head of Harbour & Marine Operations

Salary: £72,383 - £99,526

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) owns vessels and harbour infrastructure necessary for vital ferry services serving many communities throughout Scotland. We have a strategic mandate to continue improving Scotland’s ferry network. We are looking for enthusiastic, innovative individuals to join us to support the operation and development of safe, efficient, reliable ports and harbours that serve Scotland’s islands.

We are recruiting for a Head of Harbour & Marine Operations to help us to oversee the management of operations of our 17 statutory harbours and 10 non-statutory marine facilities, including operational input to our harbour and vessel projects, and to act as Harbour Master.

The role

· Leads the Marine Operations team, acts as Harbour Master and is the organisation’s senior subject matter expert on harbour & marine operations and navigational safety.

· Ensures that CMAL fulfils its statutory duties as Harbour Authority and obligations as owner of other marine facilities, particularly in relation to compliance with the Ports & Marine Facilities Safety Code (PMSC), local and national legislation.

· Ensures effective management of navigational safety, including overseeing the identification, management and mitigation of navigational risk, as well as providing a strategic oversight of conservancy responsibilities across CMAL harbours.

· Ensures marine operational requirements are embedded in the design and delivery of harbour infrastructure and vessels projects, by providing expert input into major capital projects and programmes.

· Oversees the management of CMAL’s Harbour Operating Agreement, ensuring that the Harbour Operator’s performance and compliance is monitored and reviewed.

· Develops and maintains effective relationships with communities, ferry/harbour operators, regulators, harbour users and other external stakeholders to understand their operational requirements.

Who are we looking for?

CMAL requires motivated, professional, and diligent people with a proactive and creative approach to problem solving and the ability to work flexibly, both within a team and autonomously. We are particularly looking for people with the following skills, experience, and attributes:

· Strong professional competence and significant experience in marine operations and harbour management.

· Dedicated team player, who is capable of building strong, effective relationships both internally and externally, with experience of engaging with multiple stakeholders, including operators, regulators and internal teams.

· Ability to analyse complex information and make sound, risk-based decisions, whilst maintaining a strong focus on safety, compliance and continuous improvement.

· Experience of working within a harbour authority or regulated maritime environment and a strong practical understanding of vessel manoeuvring and operations in confined or complex environments.

· MCA approved Harbour Master’s Certificate, International Harbour Master’s Diploma or relevant maritime qualification or equivalent professional experience.

What’s in it for you?

A rewarding and evolving working environment in a future thinking organisation.

In addition to an attractive salary (placing on the scale is dependent on qualifications and experience) we offer an excellent benefits package including 30 days annual leave plus 8 public holidays per year, a defined benefit pension scheme, life assurance, an optional healthcare scheme, free ferry travel, an Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing hour each month. We also support further personal and professional development.

The work environment

The role is based in our head office on the Clyde Estuary, in Port Glasgow, with some flexible remote working as mutually agreed to ensure we have the best people working with us to serve the communities that rely on our infrastructure.

How to apply and further information

To apply, please send your CV with a covering letter (applications without a covering letter will not be considered) stating the title of the role by clicking the Apply button now.

Closing date for applications: 5pm on 10th July 2026