Maritime Assurance Lead

Serco Limited; Portsmouth; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading service provider is seeking a Maritime Assurance Lead in Portsmouth. This hybrid role focuses on ensuring operational safety and compliance within maritime operations, requiring extensive experience in maritime assurance, risk management, and leadership. Ideal candidates will have at least 7 years in maritime environments, strong auditing skills, and relevant certifications. A competitive salary and various benefits are offered, including a contributory pension scheme and discounts.

Benefits

Competitive salary plus company car

Up to 6% contributory pension scheme

Discounts on shopping and entertainment

Health and wellbeing support

Qualifications

• 7-10 years of experience in maritime operations or safety management.
• 3-5 years in a senior maritime assurance or leadership role.
• In-depth knowledge of maritime integrated management systems and regulatory frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead maritime assurance and quality development.
• Conduct audits and inspections of operations.
• Train and develop maritime personnel.

Skills

Maritime operations expertise

Safety management

Leadership capabilities

Analytical mindset

Risk management

Education

ISO45001 Lead Auditor

ISO9001 Lead Auditor

ISM Lead Auditor

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Safety compliance software

Job description

Overview

Serco are recruiting for a Maritime Assurance Lead to join the team in Portsmouth on a hybrid basis. The key purpose of this role is to drive excellence in maritime assurance across DMS NG C2 & C4 operations and commercial activities. Ensure operational safety, compliance, and continuous improvement by leading audits, managing risk, and embedding best practices that exceed industry standards.

What you’ll do / Responsibilities

• Maritime assurance / Quality: Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of maritime assurance / quality to ensure compliance with international regulations, industry standards (such as SOLAS, ISM Code, MARPOL), contractual obligations and best practices in maritime operations.
• Compliance & Risk Management: Monitor and audit operational activities to ensure compliance with maritime laws and regulations. Identify, assess, and mitigate operational risks, environmental impact, and vessel performance.
• Training & Development: Champion and support delivery of maritime assurance and company training programs for all maritime personnel, ensuring that they are up-to-date with industry regulations and required corporate training.
• Audit & Inspection: Coordinate and conduct internal and external audits of vessels and operations to ensure compliance with safety standards, risk management procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Incident Investigation: Lead investigations into accidents or safety-related incidents, identifying root causes, recommending corrective actions, and ensuring implementation of recommendations to prevent recurrence.
• Reporting & Documentation: Maintain thorough documentation of audits, inspections, risk assessments, and corrective actions. Prepare and present detailed reports on assurance activities to senior leadership and regulatory bodies.
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with vessel crews, technical teams, external stakeholders (such as classification societies, flag state authorities), and regulatory agencies to drive continuous improvement in operational safety and assurance practices.
• Continuous Improvement: Stay updated on evolving maritime regulations, emerging risks, and technological advancements in the maritime sector. Recommend and implement continuous improvement initiatives to elevate operational safety and assurance standards.
• Ability to support and guide best assurance practice across MOD and commercial regulated (Explosives Management / Diving / Recompression Chambers) standards.

What you’ll need to do the role

• Able to achieve SC Clearance.
• Flexible to travel to other Serco sites when required.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in maritime operations or safety management, with at least 3-5 years in a senior maritime assurance or leadership role.
• In-depth knowledge of maritime integrated management systems (IMS), risk management practices, and regulatory frameworks (IMO, SOLAS, MARPOL, ISM Code).
• Proven experience in leading audits, inspections, and incident investigations in a maritime setting.
• ISO45001 Lead Auditor Essential
• ISO9001 Lead Auditor Essential
• ISM Lead Auditor Desirable
• Proven track record and experience of operating specialist maritime environments
• Experience and good understanding of governance of a regulatory environment (Maritime) relating to the contract.
• Experience and proven track record in MoD and commercial maritime relations
• Strong leadership and team management abilities, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to assess and mitigate risks.
• Proficiency in using maritime operational safety and compliance software, as well as Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities, and maintain attention to detail.
• Possesses a solid understanding of the MoD and commercial marine market in which the contract operates.
• Evidence of a track record in developing and implementing a strategy and plans to achieve success in service delivery and growth.
• Ability to create and communicate a compelling vision and sense of purpose that motivates teams at all levels.
• Demonstrates ability to network internally and externally and influence effectively to navigate complexity and deliver results.
• Has a drive for delivering a quality service, values positive customer feedback and understands how to improve effectiveness.
• Strong knowledge across all business functions, including finance, business development, people management and communications.
• Excellent analytical skills with ability to assimilate information quickly, and communicate key messages simply and effectively to the business.
• An effective communicator, with the confidence and ability to deliver formal reports and presentations both to clients and internal senior stakeholders.

What we offer

• Competitive salary plus job need company car
• Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
• Serco discounts which include cinema, Merlin entertainment and online shopping discounts, and discounts on mobile phone plans and leisure centre memberships
• A range of benefits to support the health and wellbeing of you and your family such as Employee Assistance Programme, Health Cash Plans, free flu jabs and more
• A safe and supportive culture
• Interesting and enjoyable work
• A company passionate about diversity and inclusion
• Committed to professional and personal development with a wide range of training and coaching opportunities to expand your capabilities