Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) – Marine Operations Manager

UKHMA; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave

8 public holidays

Defined benefit pension

Life assurance

Optional healthcare

Free ferry travel

Relocation assistance

Employee Assistance Programme

Wellbeing hour each month

Development opportunities

Job summary

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) is recruiting a Marine Operations Manager to support the management and assurance of marine operations across statutory harbours and non-statutory facilities. Reporting to the Head of Harbour & Marine Operations / Harbour Master, the role will lead the Marine Operations team and act as Deputy Harbour Master where appointed.

The role plays a key part in safe operation and future development of CMAL’s harbour and vessel network, with flexible remote

Qualifications

• Significant experience in marine operations, harbour management or related maritime environment.
• Understanding of navigational safety, marine risk and vessel operations with ability to analyse information and make recommendations.
• Experience within Harbour Authority or regulated maritime environment; knowledge of PMSC and Marine Safety Management Systems.
• Strong leadership and organisational skills to manage priorities and develop others.
• Experience working with operators, regulators, contractors and internal project teams.
• Experience of audits, inspections, incident investigations, risk assessment or operational assurance.
• Experience providing marine input into vessel, harbour infrastructure or maritime projects.
• A relevant maritime qualification; Harbour Master or Deck Officer qualifications advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Manages day-to-day Marine Operations team, supporting the Head of Harbour & Marine Operations / Harbour Master.
• Acts as Deputy Harbour Master, providing navigational safety advice and risk management.
• Supports compliance with the Ports & Marine Facilities Safety Code and Marine Safety Management System.
• Manages routine operational assurance of Harbour Operating Agreements and monitors performance.
• Coordinates marine input into harbour infrastructure and vessel projects.
• Manages workstreams including harbour legislation, hydrographic surveys, marine monitoring and Marine Intelligence Hub.
• Supports marine incident response, investigations and emergency preparedness.
• Develops and maintains relationships with ferry/harbour operators, regulators, contractors and stakeholders.

Skills

Marine operations experience

Navigational safety knowledge

Harbour management experience

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership and organisation

Audits and risk assessment

Maritime project input

Education

Harbour Master qualification

Deck Officer Certificate of Competency

Job description

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 Marine Operations Manager to support the management and assurance of marine operations across CMAL’s statutory harbours and non-statutory marine facilities. Reporting to the Head of Harbour & Marine Operations / Harbour Master, the role will manage the day-to-day activities of the Marine Operations team, provide professional marine advice across CMAL and act as Deputy Harbour Master where formally appointed and delegated. The role will have an important part to play in supporting the safe operation and future development of CMAL’s harbour and vessel network.

The role

• Manages the day-to-day activities of the Marine Operations team, supporting the Head of Harbour & Marine Operations / Harbour Master in delivering CMAL’s statutory Harbour Authority responsibilities and wider marine operations functions.
• Acts as Deputy Harbour Master where formally appointed and delegated, providing professional advice on navigational safety, marine risk and harbour operations.
• Supports CMAL’s compliance with the Ports & Marine Facilities Safety Code (PMSC), including management and continuous improvement of the Marine Safety Management System, navigational risk assessments, audits, inspections and marine safety assurance.
• Manages the routine operational assurance of CMAL’s Harbour Operating Agreement, working closely with the Harbour Operator to monitor performance, compliance, actions and emerging operational risks.
• Coordinates marine operational input into harbour infrastructure and vessel projects, ensuring that navigational safety, vessel manoeuvring, operability and operational readiness are considered from an early stage.
• Manages key Marine Operations workstreams including harbour legislation, hydrographic and bathymetric surveys, marine monitoring systems and the development of CMAL’s Marine Intelligence Hub.
• Supports marine incident response, investigations and emergency preparedness, ensuring that lessons learned are identified and translated into practical improvements.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with ferry and harbour operators, regulators, project teams, contractors, harbour users and other stakeholders.

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, harbour management or a closely related maritime environment.
• A sound practical understanding of navigational safety, marine risk and vessel operations, together with the ability to analyse information and make clear, proportionate recommendations.
• Experience of working within a Harbour Authority, port or regulated maritime environment, with knowledge of the Ports & Marine Facilities Safety Code and Marine Safety Management Systems
• Strong leadership and organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing operational, project and assurance priorities and support the development of others.
• Experience of working effectively with a range of stakeholders, including operators, regulators, contractors, consultants and internal project teams.
• Experience of audits, inspections, incident investigation, risk assessment or other operational assurance activity.
• Experience of providing marine operational input into vessel, harbour infrastructure or other significant maritime projects.
• A relevant maritime qualification or equivalent professional experience. A Harbour Master qualification, Deck Officer Certificate of Competency or equivalent senior marine qualification would be advantageous.

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, relocation assistance, 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.

Closing date for applications: 5pm on 2nd October 2026