Principal Geospatial Consultant

Associated British Ports; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

Private medical and dental insurance

Professional subscription

Retail discounts

Job summary

ABPmer, the marine consultancy of Associated British Ports, seeks a hands‑on Principal GIS authority to lead geospatial and digital delivery across its Environment, Survey, Maritime and Modelling teams. You will design, implement and assure geospatial solutions for diverse client projects, shaping the organisation’s digital capabilities.

Based in Southampton with hybrid working, you will mentor colleagues, drive innovation in dashboards and web GIS, and contribute to bids and client engagement

Qualifications

• Degree or postgraduate qualification in GIS, Information Technology or a closely related subject.
• Minimum 10 years’ experience, preferably in a marine/built environment consultancy.
• Strong leadership, collaboration and mentoring skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and integration of geospatial and digital delivery across ABPmer’s environment, survey, maritime and modelling teams.
• Design, deliver and assure high‑quality geospatial solutions for client projects.
• Shape ABPmer's geospatial strategy, standards, tools and digital capabilities across the business.
• Provide technical leadership and assurance on complex projects, including peer review and risk management.
• Support bids, client engagement and translate capability into client value; line management responsibilities.

Skills

Geospatial leadership

Client engagement

Mentoring

Project delivery

Strategic thinking

Education

Degree in GIS / Information Technology or related

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

ArcGIS Online

ArcPy

ArcGIS API for Python

ModelBuilder

Experience Apps

Dashboards

StoryMaps

Survey123

Field Maps

Job description

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We’re the UK's largest ports operator with a network of 21 ports around Britain. We handle around one quarter of the UK's seaborne trade and contribute £7.5 billion to our economy every year.

It’s a story we’re proud of but it doesn’t end there. We’re transforming our business and embracing the future.We offer a vast range of roles spanning the UK, all rooted in a culture that welcomes diversity, fosters talent, encourages internal movement and progression, and places safety as our number one priority.

Type: Permanent/full time

Location: Southampton / hybrid working

About us

We are ABPmer, a marine consultancy and survey company that specialises in understanding one of the most complex environments on earth.

We are involved in all marine and coastal sectors, from ports to offshore wind, flood risk management to marine habitat creation and restoration. Our technical teams work across industry for all kinds of clients, supporting developers, government and its regulators, statutory nature conservation bodies and non-governmental organisations, with a diverse portfolio of projects and services; no two projects or days are the same.

Known for our technical ability, professionalism, and service excellence, we have been helping clients sustainably manage, operate and develop in the marine environment for over 75 years. Our quality of service and customer care is due to our staff and our culture. We offer an environment focused on collaboration, continuous learning and career progression.

We are seeking a hands‑on Principal level technical authority and expert in ArcGIS systems to lead the development and integration of geospatial and digital delivery across the business. Working across our Environment, Survey, Maritime and Modelling technical teams, you will design, deliver and assure high-quality geospatial solutions for client projects, while shaping ABPmer's geospatial strategy, standards, tools and digital capabilities.

The role combines expertise in ESRI’s ecosystem (desktop, mobile and web), automation, spatial data management and the marine environment. You will lead on complex technical delivery, develop efficient and repeatable workflows, provide technical assurance and peer review, mentor colleagues, support bids and client engagement, and drive innovation in marine spatial analysis, data services, dashboards, web applications and digital products. The role also includes line management responsibility.

You are a highly organised, proactive, collaborative and self‑motivated individual with excellent geospatial and digital skills which you can apply to a range of marine and coastal projects. You are highly skilled in:

• Advanced knowledge of ESRI products including ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online, with extensive experience delivering geospatial solutions in a consultancy or commercial environment.
• Strong capability in Python, ArcPy, ArcGIS API for Python and ModelBuilder, developing automated, repeatable workflows for analysis, data management, QA/QC and reporting.
• Proven experience designing and supporting web GIS applications and services, including Experience Apps, Dashboards, StoryMaps, Survey123 and Field Maps (inc. SWEET).
• Advanced skills in spatial analysis, cartography, data visualisation and geospatial data management, including marine and coastal applications.
• Experience in AI driven processes, geodatabase design, SQL/spatial databases, data integration and analytical workflows relevant to marine/coastal consultancy.
• Strong understanding of data governance, quality assurance, metadata, coordinate systems and geospatial best practice.
• Ability to provide technical leadership and assurance on complex projects, including solution design, peer review, risk management and delivery to programme and budget.
• Proven track record in business development, client engagement and proposal/tender preparation, translating technical capability into client value.
• Experience with cloud-based geospatial solutions and Microsoft Azure would be advantageous.
• Strong communication, leadership and mentoring skills.

Qualifications

• You will have a degree or postgraduate qualification in GIS, Information Technology or a closely related subject
• A minimum 10 years’ experience, preferably in a marine/built environment consultancy
• Our people: We are a friendly, welcoming team focussed on collaborative working. Our culture means you are encouraged to chart your own course to excellence
• Our projects: We deliver a diverse portfolio of projects allowing you to apply your expertise to an array of interesting projects and locations.
• Our flexibility: We understand the importance of a good work-life balance offering flexible arrangements as standard including hybrid-working.
• Your career development: We offer a programme of continuous professional development supported by tailored, formal and on-the-job training and mentoring.
• Your benefits: As part of Associated British Ports Group you benefit from a contribution‑matched pension plan, private medical and dental insurance, a paid professional subscription, and local and national retail discounts.
• Our team is growing: With the Net Zero revolution we continue to grow to meet the high demand for our bespoke services. Join us as we embark on a new journey.

Want to see what it’s like to work for the UK’s largest port operator? Our virtual work experience programme gives you an inside look at trade, sustainability, safety, and careers in one of the UK’s most vital indutries-https://www.talentxp.co.uk/track/e2e029cd

Additional Information:

When joining ABP you will find an environment that is both welcoming and challenging. We reward our employees well and offer a generous remuneration package, employer pension, private health insurance and a range of other benefits.Please note that ABP undertake random screening for substance abuse and operate a zero-tolerance policy. A medical will be required before starting this position also.