Master

Serco Group; Garelochhead; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive holiday package

Pension up to 6%

Internal courses & apprenticeships

Wellbeing & health services

Retail discounts

Job summary

Serco Group in the Defence Maritime team seeks a Master to oversee the safe, professional operation of vessels and to ensure compliance with Flag State, Class and regulatory requirements. You will lead crews, supervise navigation and towing, and support critical maritime operations.

You will manage crew training, certifications, maintenance records and defect reporting while driving safety and environmental compliance. BPSS clearance is required; SC clearance or ability to obtain one.

Qualifications

• Qualifications in line with Port Certification Matrix requirements.
• Strong leadership to develop and support colleagues.
• Excellent communication with customers, crews and stakeholders.
• Understanding of health, safety and risk management in maritime environments.
• Holds or can obtain SC clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead safe navigation, manoeuvring and mooring of vessels.
• Ensure towing operations are safe, efficient and compliant.
• Maintain safety of vessel, crew and cargo at all times.
• Manage crew training, development and inductions for readiness.
• Ensure vessel certification, publications, maintenance records and defect reporting are up to date.
• Lead safety, environmental and compliance activities including drills and pollution prevention.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Health and safety

Maritime operations

Education

Port Certification Matrix

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Schedule:Perm/FT/48 hours – Shift work 3 weeks on/3 weeks off

Ready to impact a better future?

As aMaster in our Defence Maritime team, you’ll be responsible for the safe, professional and efficient operation of vessels, ensuring compliance with Flag State, Class and regulatory requirements. You'll lead vessel crews, oversee safe navigation and towing activities, and play a vital role in supporting critical maritime operations.

Our work touches lives through the safe and reliable delivery of services that support national defence capabilities. In this role, you'll help create impactful solutions by maintaining the highest standards of safety,environmental protectionandoperational excellence, delivering a positive impact for customers, colleagues and communities while helping to impact a better future.

What you’ll do as a Master

• Lead the safe navigation, manoeuvring and mooring of vessels.
• Ensuretowing operationsare conducted safely, efficiently and in accordance with operational requirements.
• Maintain responsibility for the safety of the vessel, crew and cargo at all times.
• Manage crew training, development and onboard inductions to support growth and operational readiness.
• Ensure vessel certification, publications, maintenance records and defect reporting are kept accurate and up to date.
• Lead safety, environmental and compliance activities, including drills, pollution prevention measures and adherence to company policies and procedures.

Does this sound like you?

• Hold qualifications in line with the relevant Port Certification Matrix requirements.
• Demonstrate strongleadership skillswith the ability to develop and support colleagues.
• Have excellentcommunication skillsand the ability to build trust with customers, crews and stakeholders.
• Possess a strong understanding of health, safety andrisk managementwithin a maritime environment.
• Hold SC clearance or have no problems obtaining one.

What we offer

• Competitive Holiday Package
• Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
• Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships (we currently offer over 60 different apprenticeships), mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression.
• Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service
• Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel
• Paid volunteering day, tax-free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme, donate your pennies from your monthly pay to the Serco People Fund Charity
• Our employee networks support connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning, and belonging. They represent and empower all our colleagues including veterans, LGBTQIA+ employees, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, and people from all cultural backgrounds.

Vetting and checks:

This role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance, which involves verifying your identity, employment history, nationality, and criminal record to meet government security standards. In addition, depending on the nature of the role, you may need to obtain formal Security Clearance (such as CTC or SC), which includes more detailed background checks on employment, criminal record, and financial history to ensure suitability for working in secure environments. Please note that UK residency requirements may apply for certain levels of clearance. You will also complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire so we can identify and provide any support you may need to undertake the role effectively.

A little bit about us:

At Serco, everyone plays a vital part in delivering essential public services that make a real difference. As a global team of 50,000 people across Defence, Transport, Justice, Immigration, Healthcare, Leisure and Citizen Services, we’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the services that communities rely on. Guided by our values of Trust, Care, Innovation and Pride, our people make meaningful impact, every single day.

Our inclusive recruitment commitment:

We prioritise your skills and potential. As a Disability Confident Leader, the Top Great British Employer of Veterans 2026, and a Gold Inclusive Employer Standard holder, we champion equal opportunities for all. We offer flexible and hybrid working where possible and make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.

• Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Applicants with disabilities, veterans and people with convictions, who meet the minimum job criteria, are guaranteed an interview. Simply opt into the relevant scheme on the application form.
• Ban The Box: We also support fair access for those with unspent criminal convictions through our ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some roles may have security exemptions).