Assistant Director Seafarer Training, Safety & Health

Government Recruitment Service; Southampton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in the UK is seeking an experienced Assistant Director Seafarer Training, Safety & Health to provide strategic leadership and oversight for training standards. The role entails managing the Seafarer Technical Delivery Team, influencing maritime conventions, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations. Ideal candidates will have strong leadership skills and a solid understanding of maritime policies. This position offers a comprehensive benefits package including generous annual leave and flexible work options.

Benefits

Employer pension contribution of 28.97%

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Experience in overseeing training, safety, and health standards.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements and government policies in maritime sectors.
• Ability to influence international conventions and policies.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Seafarer Technical Delivery Team.
• Manage implementation of training and health standards.
• Provide policy advice and represent the agency at meetings.
• Contribute to regulatory development supporting UK maritime industries.
• Oversee compliance and audit requirements for training and certification.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder management

Understanding of maritime conventions

Operational oversight

Education

Suitable postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience

Job description

Can you provide strategic leadership and oversight for seafarer training, safety and health for the Maritime Coastguard Agency? Are you familiar with International Maritime Conventions and the framework for seafarer training, and do you possess the capability to establish and maintain stakeholder relationships both nationally and internationally? Are you excited by the opportunity to lead on modernisation and digital advancements in seafarer training? If so, we’d love to hear from you!

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is seeking an Assistant Director Seafarer Training, Safety & Health. The MCA implements the government's maritime safety policy in the United Kingdom and works to prevent the loss of life and occurrence of pollution on the coast and at sea.

You will join the Directorate of UK Customer Maritime Services (UKCMS) which oversees several key functions, including the UK Ship Register, Seafarer Services (covering standards, qualifications, certification, medicals, and welfare), the UK Shipping Concierge, Key Account Management, and the Maritime Innovation Hub.

As the Assistant Director Seafarers Training, Safety & Health you will play a pivotal leadership role within UKCMS providing strategic and operational oversight of the Seafarer Technical Delivery Team and the Seafarer Safety and Health section. The role is responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality services across training, certification, welfare, and medical standards, aligned with MCA and DfT priorities.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the King’s birthday
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below!

Find out more about what it's like working at: Maritime and Coastguard Agency - Department for Transport Careers

As a senior leader, you will foster a culture of accountability, inclusion, and innovation, while maintaining robust workforce planning, financial control, and performance management. The Assistant Director contributes to the strategic direction of the Directorate, supports governance functions, and champions the use of digital and data-driven solutions to improve safety outcomes and customer service.

You will lead the modernisation of seafarer training and health standards, ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of maritime competence and welfare. This includes influencing international conventions such as STCW, STCW(F), MLC, and overseeing the implementation of associated policies and regulations. The post holder is accountable for the administration of seafarer training funding (e.g. SMarT), the development of technical and medical standards, and associated systems.

Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:

• Operational Leadership: Manage the Seafarer Technical Delivery Team and the Seafarer Safety and Health section, ensuring delivery of high-quality services across training, certification, welfare, and medical standards as well as alignment to the Business Plan.
• Modernisation and Innovation: Lead updates of technical training and health standards in line with Government and Maritime Skills Commission priorities, including digital assessment, autonomous vessel training, alternative fuels, and medical protocols.
• Policy Advice and Representation: Provide expert advice and briefing materials on training, certification, and seafarer safety and health policy to senior leaders. Represent the MCA at high-level meetings.
• Regulatory Development: Contribute to a regulatory environment that supports UK maritime industries.
• Policy Implementation: Ensure timely development and transposition of regulations, and guidance in accordance with HM Government consultation procedures.
• International Engagement: Work with other Senior Leaders and DfT to influence international conventions.
• Funding Strategy: Engage with industry and DfT on seafarer training funding policy.
• System Ownership: Act as system owner for platforms used in assessing cadet and seafarer competence, including online oral exams (Part A and B), the seafarer medical system (ADIS), the SMarT database and the Short Course Approvals database.
• Audit and Compliance: Accountable for preparing for internal and external audits on training, certification, and health compliance, ensuring alignment with STCW, MLC, and MCA quality standards.

Great line management is important to us as an organisation, and we will equip and support line managers to develop the skills they need. We aim to empower line managers to create teams where people can flourish and deliver excellent outcomes for the public.

For further information on the role, please read the role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.