Director - Maritime Training Institution (SeaLearn)

Union Maritime; Greater London; On-site; GBP 200,000 +; Full time

Job summary

A leading maritime training institution in Greater London seeks a Director to lead operations and strategy. This pivotal role includes overseeing non-academic operations, driving financial stewardship, and ensuring compliance with maritime training standards. The Director will enhance the student experience and foster industry relationships. A Master's degree and 15+ years of leadership experience are required. Opportunity to shape business development in a growing institution. Applications close 9 January 2026.

Benefits

Leadership opportunities

Business development scope

Collaborative environment

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Business Administration / Management, Maritime Studies, or a related field.
• At least 15 years of leadership experience in education, training and/or the maritime industry.
• Recognised standing within the maritime industry with strong networks.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and implement long-term vision for the institute.
• Oversee non-academic operations ensuring smooth functionality.
• Lead infrastructure management for the 20-acre campus.
• Ensure financial stewardship and explore funding opportunities.
• Maintain regulatory and compliance alignment with maritime training standards.
• Build relationships with industry stakeholders to support placements.
• Lead human resources agenda for administrative staff.
• Oversee student experience and welfare services.

Job description

SeaLearn:

Institution overview

SeaLearn International Maritime Training Institute is a purpose‑built maritime education and training campus spanning 20 acres, with capacity for approximately 500 students across long‑term and short‑term programmes. The institute aims to be a world‑class training hub for the global maritime industry, combining modern infrastructure, high‑quality services, and strong industry partnerships.

Role summary

The Director will be the Head of Operations and Strategy for the institute, working alongside and complementing the Principal / Vice‑Principal, who lead on academic delivery. The role has overall responsibility for non‑academic operations, institutional growth, financial sustainability, regulatory compliance, infrastructure, and student services, ensuring the campus operates to world‑class standards and remains competitive in the global maritime education sector.

Key responsibilities

The Director will:

• Provide strategic leadership by defining and implementing the institute’s long‑term vision, mission, and growth strategy, including new programmes, collaborations, and international partnerships, and representing the institute at national and international maritime forums.
• Oversee day‑to‑day non‑academic operations across administration, HR, finance, procurement, and student services, ensuring smooth running of hostels, dining, transport, and campus amenities, as well as high standards of workflow efficiency and hygiene.
• Lead infrastructure and facilities management for the 20‑acre campus, including development and maintenance of classrooms, simulators, workshops, hostels, and recreational areas, and procurement of state‑of‑the‑art maritime training equipment in line with safety, sustainability, and environmental standards.
• Provide financial stewardship through preparation and monitoring of annual budgets, financial forecasts, and audits, driving cost optimisation while maintaining quality, exploring funding opportunities, grants and sponsorships, and overseeing procurement.
• Ensure full regulatory and compliance alignment with national and international maritime training standards (e.g. STCW, IMO, NIMASA, MCA), including liaison with government bodies, accreditation agencies and regulators, and maintenance of all documentation, certifications, and safety, quality and environmental standards.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key industry stakeholders such as shipping companies, ports, offshore service providers, oil and gas companies, classification societies, training providers, pilot organisations, ship repair yards and maritime associations, supporting placements, apprenticeships, and industry exposure programmes, and acting as a key spokesperson together with the Principal.
• Lead the human resources agenda for administrative and support staff, including recruitment, training, performance management, culture‑building and professional development, fostering professionalism, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee the overall student experience and welfare, ensuring high‑quality housing, healthcare, recreation and counselling services, and robust safety, discipline, welfare and leadership development initiatives.

Required qualifications

• Master’s degree in Business Administration / Management, Maritime Studies, or a related field.
• At least 15 years of leadership experience in education, training and/or the maritime industry, with a demonstrable track record in infrastructure management, financial planning, and regulatory compliance.
• Recognised standing within the maritime industry, with strong networks and credibility among industry stakeholders.

Key competencies

• Strategic vision and execution capability.
• Strong financial acumen and resource management skills.
• Expertise in infrastructure planning, benchmarking and facilities management.
• Deep understanding of regulatory and compliance requirements in maritime training.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, relationship‑building and negotiation skills.
• Outstanding leadership, communication and decision‑making ability.

What we offer

• Opportunity to lead and shape a growing, high‑potential maritime training institution.
• Significant scope to drive business development and diversification, and to raise the profile of the institute nationally and internationally.
• A collaborative leadership environment, working closely with the Principal / Vice‑Principal and Governing Board.

Applications close 9 January 2026.

The Director will be instrumental in positioning SeaLearn as a leading maritime training institution on the continent, ensuring it operates as an A‑grade maritime enterprise that balances compliance, infrastructure excellence and student welfare with global competitiveness.