Director

Comaea Consulting; Greater London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global maritime solutions provider is seeking an experienced Director to lead the business strategy for a new maritime training institution in London. This role focuses on developing pre-sea and post-sea educational programs while fostering international collaborations. The ideal candidate will have extensive leadership experience, a strong maritime network, and the ability to execute strategic growth initiatives. Reporting directly to senior leadership, this position offers significant visibility and responsibility.

Benefits

Opportunity to build a flagship maritime institution

Significant commercial responsibility

Highly visible strategic role

Qualifications

• Minimum 10+ years of leadership experience in maritime training or education.
• Strong professional reputation within the maritime community.
• Deep understanding of maritime education standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead the management and growth of a new maritime training institution.
• Design and execute a business development strategy for maritime clients.
• Drive international collaborations with maritime colleges.

Skills

Leadership in maritime training

Strategic growth mindset

Stakeholder engagement

Excellent communication skills

International operational management

Education

Degree in Business Administration, Management, Maritime Studies

Job description

Overview

We are hiring on behalf of a leading global shipowner and integrated maritime solutions provider with a strong footprint across Europe and Asia. As part of its expansion, the company is launching a new international maritime training institution that will blend a West Africa–based campus with partnered UK maritime colleges. This integrated model is designed to develop the next generation of seafarers and maritime professionals through pre-sea and post-sea programmes that lead into UK-recognised CoC, diploma, and degree routes.

We are now seeking an experienced and visionary Director to lead the business strategy and growth of this institution. Based in London with regular international travel, this role will work closely with executive leadership and global partners to define the strategic direction, establish international collaborations, and ensure alignment with evolving global maritime standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the overall management, commercial growth, and long-term strategic development of a new maritime training institution spanning both pre-sea and post-sea education


• Design and execute a business development strategy to build a strong portfolio of clients across shipowners, ship managers, oil majors, and other maritime organisations


• Drive international collaborations with leading UK and global maritime colleges to establish academic pathways, joint programmes, and progression routes (including UK CoC, diploma and degree options)


• Develop and implement a marketing and student recruitment strategy targeting aspiring cadets and serving seafarers in West Africa and beyond, including digital campaigns, outreach events, and institutional partnerships


• Build and own a placement strategy for graduates and course participants to secure berths, cadetships and roles with external shipowners and managers across Europe and other key markets


• Represent the institution to shipowners, maritime organisations, regulators, and government authorities, acting as the primary spokesperson and industry liaison


• Oversee campus operations in West Africa, ensuring world-class standards across facilities, infrastructure, staff performance, student services, and overall learner experience


• Manage financial planning and stewardship of the institution, including budgeting, forecasting, audits, cost optimisation, and procurement oversight


• Build and nurture a high-performing, commercially aware team, fostering a culture of professionalism, accountability, customer focus, and continuous improvement as the institution scales

Qualifications

• Degree in Business Administration, Management, Maritime Studies, or a related discipline


• Minimum 10+ years of leadership experience in maritime training, maritime education, ship management, or maritime industry operations


• Strategic, growth-focused leadership mindset with strong commercial and operational insight


• Strong professional reputation and network within the maritime community, especially among shipowners and relevant UK maritime / training authorities


• Deep understanding of global maritime education standards and regulatory frameworks (STCW, IMO, NIMASA, MCA)


• Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication, and relationship-building skills, comfortable interacting at C-suite and senior institutional levels


• Comfortable with extensive international travel and cross-border operational management (London–West Africa–global shipowner hubs)

Benefits

• Opportunity to build and lead a flagship maritime training institution from the ground up


• Significant commercial responsibility, including influence over institutional growth


• Highly visible, strategic role within a growing international group


• Direct reporting to senior leadership (CXO level)