Lead Shipwright (Heritage Carpenter), HMS Victory

The National Museum of the Royal Navy; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Museum of the Royal Navy is seeking a Lead Shipwright for HMS Victory. This pivotal role involves managing a team in a conservation project, focusing on restoring the ship's historical integrity. Ideal candidates will possess expertise in timber ship conservation and leadership skills, contributing to a unique heritage environment.

Benefits

Group pension plan with Royal London

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Flexible working

Employee Assistance Programme

Free admission to national museums

Qualifications

• Specialist knowledge in timber conservation and historic ship maintenance.
• Experience leading a team in conservation projects.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety regulations and writing RAMS.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Shipwright Team for the conservation of HMS Victory.
• Repair and maintain the ship's hull and apply best practices.
• Lead project planning and execution for conservation tasks.

Skills

Timber historic ships conservation

Project documentation

Team leadership

Health and Safety knowledge

Microsoft Office

Tools

Computer-Aided Design (CAD)

Job description

Lead Shipwright (Heritage Carpenter), HMS Victory

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Lead Shipwright (Heritage Carpenter), HMS Victory

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Join to apply for the Lead Shipwright (Heritage Carpenter), HMS Victory role at The National Museum of the Royal Navy

Lead Shipwright (Heritage Carpenter) HMS Victory

Salary (Grade 6): £40,541 - £41,847 per annum (dependent upon experience)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week - permanent/contract

Location: National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Portsmouth

Our epic story is of the Royal Navy, and its impact on Britain and the world. Here you can come aboard the most famous ships, planes, and submarines of the Royal Navy and experience them through those who served on them. Aswell as being truly captivated by the thousands of unique, emotional, and sometimes quirky stories that have shaped the Royal Navy into what it proudly stands for today.

Our vision is to be the world’s most inspiring Naval Museum, linking Navy to Nation. You are pivotal in us achieving our vision, and to support this we embrace diversity and want everyone to feel valued and have a sense of belonging.

This is a great opportunity to join the team

We are recruiting for a Lead Shipwright to join the team working on HMS Victory, as part of the Heritage and Strategic Programmes Directorate. The Lead Shipwright will be joining the team at an exciting stage in the progress of the conservation of HMS Victory, as we continue on a ten-year programme of works to stabilise and preserve the ship.

The work involves management of the Victory’s Shipwright Team to deliver the work to repair Victory’s hull, including replacement of all external planking, from waterline to sheer strake. You will be a senior member of the project team developing and delivering the plan for conservation of the ship. You will bring your skills from similar timber ship and heritage conservation projects and apply them to Victory’s conservation.

Teamwork and communication skills are key aspects of this role to ensure that best practice is applied to all our work.

What You Can Bring

• Specialist knowledge of the construction, conservation and maintenance of timber historic ships or built heritage. You will have knowledge of the technical properties of timber as relevant to ship building or the construction and repair of timber framed historic buildings.
• Experience of leading a team in timber ship conservation or conservation carpenters.
• Experience in the production and use of project documentation.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety requirements and Construction (Design and Management) Regulations.
• Experience of writing RAMS.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office computer programs.
• Knowledge of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) (desirable, not essential).
• Experience of leading, managing and motivating staff.
• A positive attitude and ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team.
  
  

What We Offer

• The opportunity to be part of a friendly and diverse workplace within a unique heritage environment.
• Group pension plan with Royal London (6% employer contributions, 2% employee contributions and death in service benefit).
• Free onsite parking - (dependent on site- not necessarily Portsmouth as need a base pass)
• 25 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays) pro rata for part time employees, increasing to 30 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays) after 5 years’ service, pro rata for part time employees, with the option to purchase additional annual leave.
• Enhanced maternity/adoption and paternity pay.
• Flexible working.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Free admission to other national museums and attractions within the reciprocal agreement.
• Discounts at our shops and cafes.
• Free and discounted tickets for family and friends.
• A range of other benefits including cycle to work
• Paid reservist leave.
  
  

We want you to succeed and showcase your skills and experiences, so if you are invited to interview, we will share our interview questions with you ahead of time. If you would like to have an informal discussion regarding the role, or ask any questions, please contact Leonardo Bortolami, Master Shipwright, on email [e-mail]

All applicants are asked to apply via https://jobs.nmrn.org.uk/ by midnight on Sunday 29th June 2025. The selection processes will be held on site shortly after.

If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to the application process because of a disability, please contact the People team on [e-mail] for support.

This post requires a DBS check as a requirement of working on the naval base, as well as the right to work in the UK. This role has the opportunity for VISA sponsored.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Other

• Industries

  Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos

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