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Team Manager (Harbours) and Deputy Harbour Master - Job Opportunity at Torbay Council

Torquay, United Kingdom
Full-time
Senior
Posted: July 3, 2025
On-site
GBP 49,764 - 52,805 per year

Benefits

Comprehensive public sector pension scheme providing long-term financial security and retirement planning advantages compared to private sector equivalents
Job security and stability inherent in local government employment with structured career progression pathways
Professional development opportunities through specialized maritime training and certification programs
Flexible working arrangements including structured duty rotas that provide work-life balance despite operational demands
Access to comprehensive health and safety support systems given the high-risk maritime environment
Opportunity to work across multiple harbor facilities providing diverse operational experience and skill development

Key Responsibilities

Lead strategic harbor operations across three major facilities (Torquay, Brixham, and Paignton) ensuring seamless coordination and operational excellence that directly impacts regional maritime commerce and tourism revenue
Execute critical vessel traffic management decisions that protect millions of pounds worth of maritime assets while maintaining the economic viability of commercial fishing and leisure marine sectors
Provide operational leadership and emergency response coordination that safeguards human life and environmental protection across one of England's busiest multi-use harbor systems
Enforce comprehensive regulatory compliance programs ensuring adherence to Port Marine Safety Code requirements that protect the organization from significant legal and financial liability
Manage complex stakeholder relationships with commercial operators, emergency services, and regulatory bodies that directly influence the harbor's operational license and revenue generation
Oversee critical infrastructure maintenance and asset management programs that preserve multi-million pound harbor facilities and ensure long-term operational sustainability
Act as senior decision-maker during emergency situations and out-of-hours operations, carrying ultimate responsibility for harbor safety and security
Coordinate high-profile marine events that generate significant tourism revenue and enhance the region's reputation as a premier maritime destination

Requirements

Education

Qualified to Degree level or equivalent relevant experience

Experience

Substantial marine or port operations experience, preferably in a supervisory or leadership role

Required Skills

Proven ability to lead, manage and motivate, enabling a demonstrable and successful team working ethos that fosters employee engagement Ability to collaborate both internally and externally, to benefit from partnerships, shared learning, and best practice Budget management – able to control operational budgets and deliver efficiencies Effective Risk Management skills in a maritime environment Proven ability to work in a time-critical function, managing conflicting priorities effectively Excellent communication, leadership, and decision-making skills IT literacy and experience with marine or port management systems

Certifications

STCW certification, RYA/MCA qualifications, or a Harbour Master's Certificate VHF/DSC Radio Certificate of Competence RYA Power Boat Full UK driving licence
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The UK maritime sector is experiencing increased regulatory scrutiny following recent high-profile marine incidents, driving demand for qualified harbor management professionals who can ensure comprehensive compliance with evolving safety standards and environmental regulations. Post-Brexit maritime regulations have created additional complexity in harbor operations, requiring skilled managers who can navigate new regulatory frameworks while maintaining operational efficiency and international trade relationships. Climate change adaptation is becoming critical for coastal harbor operations, with increasing need for managers who can implement resilient infrastructure planning and emergency response protocols for extreme weather events. The growing blue economy sector, including renewable energy projects and aquaculture, is expanding harbor usage patterns and requiring sophisticated multi-use facility management capabilities from senior harbor staff.

Salary Evaluation

The offered salary of £49,764 - £52,805 represents competitive compensation for senior maritime management roles in the UK public sector, positioned slightly above the national average for similar positions while reflecting the specialized nature of multi-harbor management responsibilities and the desirable coastal location.

Role Significance

Typically manages 15-25 harbor personnel including marine operatives, administrative staff, and specialized technicians, with coordination responsibilities extending to external contractors and emergency response teams during incidents.
This is a senior management position with significant operational authority, serving as the primary deputy to the Harbour Master and carrying ultimate responsibility for safety, compliance, and operational efficiency across multiple harbor facilities worth millions in public assets.

Key Projects

Implementation of comprehensive Port Marine Safety Code compliance programs including risk assessments, safety management systems, and regulatory reporting frameworks Multi-million pound harbor infrastructure maintenance and improvement projects requiring coordination with engineering consultants, contractors, and regulatory agencies Strategic planning for harbor capacity expansion and facility modernization to accommodate changing vessel types and increased tourism demands Development and implementation of emergency response protocols for major incidents including environmental spills, vessel emergencies, and extreme weather events

Success Factors

Deep understanding of complex maritime regulatory frameworks and ability to translate legal requirements into practical operational procedures that ensure consistent compliance across multiple facilities Exceptional crisis management and decision-making capabilities under pressure, particularly during emergency situations where rapid response can mean the difference between minor incidents and major disasters Strong stakeholder management skills to balance competing interests between commercial fishing operations, leisure marine users, tourism businesses, and regulatory agencies while maintaining harbor profitability Technical expertise in marine operations combined with modern management techniques to optimize efficiency in traditional harbor environments while embracing technological improvements Environmental awareness and sustainability planning capabilities to address increasing regulatory requirements for coastal protection and marine conservation

Market Demand

High demand exists for qualified harbor management professionals due to the specialized skill set required, aging workforce in the maritime sector, and increasing regulatory complexity that necessitates experienced leadership in port operations and safety management.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Port Marine Safety Code expertise is absolutely essential as this regulatory framework governs all harbor operations and non-compliance can result in suspension of operating licenses, personal liability for senior staff, and significant financial penalties for the organization Leadership and team management capabilities are crucial given the need to coordinate diverse teams including marine operatives, administrative staff, and emergency responders while maintaining operational efficiency under pressure Risk management skills are fundamental to harbor operations where decisions directly impact human safety, environmental protection, and millions of pounds in maritime assets, requiring ability to assess and mitigate complex operational risks Regulatory compliance knowledge is critical as harbor operations are subject to multiple overlapping regulatory frameworks including maritime law, environmental protection, health and safety, and local authority requirements

Beneficial Skills

Commercial maritime experience would provide valuable perspective on user needs and operational efficiency improvements that could enhance harbor competitiveness and revenue generation Project management certification would support infrastructure development and improvement programs that are essential for maintaining modern harbor facilities and meeting evolving user requirements Environmental management qualifications would strengthen capabilities in coastal protection and marine conservation areas that are becoming increasingly important for operational licensing and community acceptance Advanced emergency response training would enhance crisis management capabilities and provide additional career development opportunities in maritime safety and security sectors

Unique Aspects

Management of three distinct harbor facilities each with different operational characteristics, user profiles, and infrastructure requirements, providing exceptional breadth of experience in diverse maritime operations
Responsibility for balancing the needs of traditional commercial fishing operations with growing leisure marine sector and tourism demands, requiring sophisticated stakeholder management and strategic planning capabilities
Integration of environmental protection responsibilities with commercial harbor operations in an area of significant ecological importance, demanding expertise in sustainable coastal management practices
Direct involvement in emergency response coordination for both maritime incidents and coastal emergencies, providing valuable experience in crisis management and multi-agency coordination

Career Growth

Career progression to Harbour Master or equivalent senior positions typically occurs within 3-5 years for high-performing deputies, with consultant or regional director roles becoming accessible within 5-8 years of demonstrated success in complex harbor management.

Potential Next Roles

Harbour Master positions at larger port authorities or commercial ports with expanded responsibilities for major shipping operations and larger budgets Senior maritime consultant roles with engineering firms or regulatory agencies, leveraging operational experience to guide policy development and compliance programs Regional maritime director positions within local government or port authority systems, overseeing multiple harbor facilities across wider geographic areas Private sector harbor management roles with major marina operators or shipping companies offering higher compensation and commercial operational experience

Company Overview

Torbay Council

Torbay Council operates as a unitary authority responsible for one of England's most significant multi-use harbor systems, managing the economic and operational needs of major commercial fishing operations, thriving leisure marine sector, and substantial tourism infrastructure that generates millions in regional revenue.

Torbay Council is recognized as a leading example of effective coastal management and harbor operations, balancing commercial viability with environmental protection and tourism development in one of the UK's most popular coastal destinations.
The council serves as the primary maritime authority for the Tor Bay area, operating three major harbors that collectively represent one of the most important fishing and leisure marine hubs in Southwest England, with significant influence on regional maritime policy and practice.
The organization emphasizes collaborative decision-making and community engagement while maintaining the operational discipline required for safe harbor management, offering a unique blend of public service mission and commercial operational expertise.
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