Operations Manager - Bridge (Surge)

James Fisher and Sons plc; Arbroath; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

James Fisher and Sons plc seeks two Operations Managers - Bridge (Surge) to join the SERS Surge Operations Team on a 0-hour contract basis, providing operational support across the global SERS portfolio as and when required. You will plan, coordinate and control mobilisation, deployment, exercise and rescue operations, interfacing between vessel, SERS teams and shore-based support.

In a fast-paced 24-hour environment, you will ensure safe, efficient missions in line with procedures and

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading and delivering complex maritime, subsea, diving, submarine rescue, or other safety-critical operations.
• Background in submarine rescue, diving, subsea, offshore, or similar specialist environments.
• Strong knowledge of maritime operations, planning, mobilisation, readiness, and mission delivery.
• Understanding of maritime, offshore, and defence regulations, standards, and certification requirements.
• Familiarity with QHSE systems, including ISO 9001 and ISO 45001.
• Knowledge of vessel operations, Dynamic Positioning (DP), and offshore project interfaces.
• Understanding of underwater systems such as diving, hyperbaric, submersible, or ROV operations.
• Proven leadership, stakeholder management, and decision-making skills in high-pressure environments.
• Ability to meet security clearance, medical, and deployment requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate mobilisation, deployment, exercise and rescue operations, ensuring safe and effective delivery in line with approved procedures, mission objectives and system limitations.
• Serve as the central point for operational management, coordinating activities between the vessel, SERS teams, customers, shore-based support functions and external stakeholders.
• Manage mobilisation and operational readiness to ensure personnel, equipment, certification, logistics and support requirements are in place to meet mission needs.
• Maintain effective communication between the Mobilisation Ship (MOSHIP), Core Team and Emergency Operations Cell throughout mobilisation and operations.
• Ensure effective briefings, debriefings and shift handovers, promoting a clear understanding of objectives, risks, responsibilities and lessons learned.
• Uphold the highest standards of safety, compliance and operational discipline, ensuring personnel are fit for duty, risks are managed and operations comply with company policies, procedures and Life Saving Rules.
• Support the development and continuous improvement of SERS capability through training, exercises, readiness activities, lessons learned and operational reviews.

Skills

Maritime operations

Mobilisation planning

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Decision making

Security clearance

Safety compliance

Job description

Operations Manager x2 - Bridge (Surge)

United Kingdom

Zero hour contract (approx. 40 days a year)

Please note that this role requires security checks.

The Role

We are seeking two Operations Managers - Bridge (Surge) to join the SERS Surge Operations Team on a 0-hour contract basis, providing operational support across the global SERS portfolio as and when required. In this challenging and rewarding role, you will be responsible for the planning, coordination and control of mobilisation, deployment, exercise and rescue operations. Acting as the primary interface between the vessel, SERS operational team and shore-based support functions, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring seamless mobilisation management and maintaining effective communication between the Mobilisation Ship (MOSHIP), the Core Team and the Emergency Operations Cell. Working in a fast-paced, 24-hour operational environment, you will help deliver safe, efficient and effective missions, ensuring all activities are conducted in line with approved procedures, operational requirements and mission objectives. The role is part of the SERS Surge Operations Team with global deployment at short notice to support training, exercises, mobilisations, contingency operations and emergency response activities.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead and coordinate mobilisation, deployment, exercise and rescue operations, ensuring safe and effective delivery in line with approved procedures, mission objectives and system limitations.
• Serve as the central point for operational management, coordinating activities between the vessel, SERS teams, customers, shore-based support functions and external stakeholders.
• Manage mobilisation and operational readiness to ensure personnel, equipment, certification, logistics and support requirements are in place to meet mission needs.
• Maintain effective communication between the Mobilisation Ship (MOSHIP), Core Team and Emergency Operations Cell throughout mobilisation and operations.
• Ensure effective briefings, debriefings and shift handovers, promoting a clear understanding of objectives, risks, responsibilities and lessons learned.
• Uphold the highest standards of safety, compliance and operational discipline, ensuring personnel are fit for duty, risks are managed and operations comply with company policies, procedures and Life Saving Rules.
• Support the development and continuous improvement of SERS capability through training, exercises, readiness activities, lessons learned and operational reviews.

Essential

• Significant experience leading and delivering complex maritime, subsea, diving, submarine rescue, or other safety-critical operations.
• Background in submarine rescue, diving, subsea, offshore, or similar specialist environments.
• Strong knowledge of maritime operations, planning, mobilisation, readiness, and mission delivery.
• Understanding of maritime, offshore, and defence regulations, standards, and certification requirements.
• Familiarity with QHSE systems, including ISO 9001 and ISO 45001.
• Knowledge of vessel operations, Dynamic Positioning (DP), and offshore project interfaces.
• Understanding of underwater systems such as diving, hyperbaric, submersible, or ROV operations.
• Proven leadership, stakeholder management, and decision-making skills in high-pressure environments.
• Ability to meet security clearance, medical, and deployment requirements.

Desirable

• Experience supporting commercial diving or submarine rescue operations.
• Operational readiness, mobilisation, or emergency response management experience.
• Background in defence, offshore, marine, diving, or other regulated sectors.
• Knowledge of relevant marine, diving, defence, and international standards.
• Experience in customer-facing, commercially sensitive, or international projects.
• Delivery of training, exercises, briefings, and competency development.
• Full driving licence.

Training & Qualifications

• Role-specific competence and training aligned to the SERS framework.
• Relevant maritime survival, emergency response, and medical certifications.
• Health, safety, environmental, security, and business management training.
• Participation in submarine rescue emergency response exercises and readiness activities.

Why join us?

• Competitive package.
• Clear pathways for career development and organisational visibility.
• Inclusive and supportive culture that values individual contributions.
• Meaningful work with impact across safety, innovation, and global operations.

About Us

James Fisher is a global engineering services company operating across Energy, Defence, and Maritime Transport. With a strong heritage in maritime operations, we now deliver innovative solutions in challenging environments. Our One James Fisher strategy is focused on building a unified, sustainable business within the Blue Economy, driving progress through technology, expertise, and collaboration.

Visit our website at: Home | James Fisher and Sons plc

For more information about our values and behaviours, follow the link: About us | James Fisher and Sons plc

James Fisher Defence (JFD), part of the James Fisher Group, is a global leader in underwater capability, delivering cutting-edge diving, submarine rescue, and hyperbaric solutions to both commercial and defence markets. Operating worldwide, JFD is the foremost provider of submarine rescue services and a trusted name in submarine escape training. We're also at the forefront of hyperbaric rescue innovation and a leading supplier of advanced diving equipment and saturation systems across the industry. Explore more about JFD

At James Fisher and Sons, we are committed to taking positive action on diversity and strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and recognise that our success is driven by the talent and diversity of our workforce.

To support an accessible and inclusive recruitment experience in the UK, we partner with Vercida. You can learn more about our approach by visiting our company page: James Fisher and Sons diversity, inclusion, culture - VERCIDA