Head of Service: Bristol Harbour Authority

Shape the commercial future of Bristol Harbour

The regeneration and development work in progress at Bristol Harbour is absolutely exceptional. While this is a working harbour, our waterfront also serves as a leisure harbour which has immense potential for our local population. There is currently a sailing club and a paddleboard club operating in the vicinity, while last year we offered ‘swimming in the harbour’ sessions which were hugely popular.

As we pursue the hugely ambitious Western Harbour development, it is imperative that we are able to fully tap into the immense potential of this area, and bring these many elements together so that the Harbour’s full business and commercial opportunities can be realised in 2025 – and that’s where you come in.

We are looking for a commercially astute Head of Service to provide strategic leadership across the many projects that are already underway as well as those coming up over the next few months and years.

As Head of Service, you will be responsible for the direction and leadership of the harbour and estate, developing and implementing our business plan and making sure it fits with the harbour’s objectives – all while ensuring we are operating effectively and safely. To do this, you’ll need to be great at building relationships and delegating and managing successfully.

You’ll work with internal organisations within the Council, as well as external organisations such as the Maritime & Coastguard Agency, the Environment Agency, the Marine Maritime Organisation, other Harbour Authorities, as well as harbour user groups, and various private and voluntary organisations.

As well as representing the Harbour Authority at a variety of committee meetings and forums, you’ll be our public voice, deal with any complex aspects of any negotiations, complaints or correspondence, and oversee investigations of accidents, incidents and near-misses.

With the support of your Harbour Operations Manager, Principal Docks Engineer, Harbour Estates Manager and Harbour Office Manager, all of whom you will oversee, you’ll manage up to 50 full-time, part-time and seasonal harbour staff.

To excel in this role you’ll need to be an innovative leader who can create, write and deliver business and marketing strategies and plans, and know how to get the most out of a budget and bring plenty of ideas on how to generate income.

You’ll also need extensive knowledge and experience of working within the port and marine industry and know all there is to know about maritime legislation (including port marine safety, oil spill and port waste codes). This will be backed up with professional qualifications such as Master Mariner Class 1 or RN equivalent, Port Management/Harbour Master Diploma/Certificate, as well as membership of a relevant professional body.

And, as you will be sitting on numerous boards, we will expect you to have well-developed communication, report-writing, presenting and influencing skills, with the capacity to manage a variety of stakeholders.

This is a unique opportunity to take on a career-defining role, in which you will explore numerous commercial opportunities and drive a huge development scheme that will be enjoyed for decades to come. With a competitive benefits package – and unparalleled views of Bristol city and the harbour from your office – we are confident that you will find much to enjoy as a member of our team.