Marine Compliance Officer

Port of London Authority; Gravesend; On-site; GBP 52,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent harbour authority based in Gravesend seeks a Marine Compliance Officer to manage safety systems and lead audit teams. Ideal candidates will possess a relevant marine safety qualification and strong leadership skills. This role offers a competitive salary and benefits including generous leave and a medical cash plan.

Benefits

28 days annual leave

Medical Cash Plan

Generous pension

Onsite parking with electric charging

Access to Occupational Health and physiotherapy

Cycle to Work Scheme

Access to MyGymDiscounts

Qualifications

• Management experience in marine and ports industry, especially navigational safety management.
• Proven ability to lead and motivate a team.
• Experience in risk assessment and emergency management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain safety management systems.
• Lead a team of PMSC auditors.
• Manage day-to-day operations of marine safety management.

Skills

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Writing skills

Ability to work under pressure

Education

STCW (OOW Unlimited) Certificate of Competency or equivalent

Job description

Job title: Marine Compliance Officer

Department: Harbour Masters

Reporting to: Marine Compliance Manager

Grade: 6

Salary: £51,124 per annum

Working pattern: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week

Base: Gravesend, Kent

Closing date: 7 August 2025(We may close this vacancy early if sufficient applications are received ahead of the closing date)

Interview date: 14 August 2025

Who we are:

The Port of London Authority is the statutory harbour authority for the tidal Thames and responsible for 95 miles of the River Thames from the Estuary to Teddington Lock in West London. We work to keep river users safe, protect and enhance the environment and promote the use of the river for trade and travel. As part of our duties under the Ports and Marine Facilities Safety Code, we manage and maintain the port’s navigational safety management system and marine emergency planning function.

The role:

Based in our newly modernised Head Offices at Gravesend you will join a growing team providing specialist services in support of the PLA’s core safety functions.

• You will contribute significantly to the ongoing development and maintenance of an effective safety management system, risk assessment processes, compliance assurance and supporting regulatory framework and enforcement regime, whilst providing statistical analysis and reports on a routine and as-required basis.
• You will lead a small team of internal Port & Marine Facilities Safety Code (PMSC) auditors, ensuring that all operations comply with established safety standards and regulations, tracking findings and assigned actions through to completion at all levels of PLA Management.
• You will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operation of the Marine Safety Management System (MSMS) and the navigational risk management database, which are critical for identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential risks. Your diligence will be pivotal in ensuring thorough risk assessments are conducted and reviewed to a high standard and according to schedule, helping maintain a culture of continuous improvement in navigational safety.

The post also acts as a support function for the PLA’s central marine emergency planning role, including planning and executing emergency exercises, representing the PLA at external forums and events and liaising with key internal and external stakeholders on the development or the PLA emergency plan.

The ideal candidate will:

• Hold a STCW (OOW Unlimited) Certificate of Competency or equivalent or have relevant management experience in the marine and ports industry, including in particular, navigational safety management, risk assessment, training and emergency management.
• Be able to lead, motivate and manage effectively.
• Have proven and effective interpersonal skills.
• Have good writing skills
• Have an ability to work effectively under pressure

Benefits package:

• 28 days annual leave (plus Bank Holidays)
• Medical Cash Plan (Westfield Health)
• Generous pension
• Onsite parking with electric charging
• Access to Occupational Health, Mindfulness, Counselling and Physiotherapy
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Access to MyGymDiscounts

For further information or if you would like to have an informal discussion about the position, please contact Paul Evans, Marine Compliance Manager on 01474 562323.

The PLA are not registered with the UK Home Office and do not sponsor candidates who require a visa or work permit to work in the UK, therefore an offer of employment cannot be made unless you currently hold the rights to live and work in the UK.