Role:
Head of Engineering
Location:
UK South
Focus:
Passenger Vessel Operations | Fleet Reliability | Engineering Transformation
Start date:
ASAP
The Company:
A well established and highly regarded UK passenger vessel operator providing critical transport links across the South Coast. Carrying millions of passengers annually, the business plays a vital role in regional connectivity, tourism and local communities.
The organisation is entering a major period of operational and strategic evolution, with significant investment into fleet renewal, infrastructure modernisation and the transition towards hybrid and electric vessel operations.
The Role:
This is not a steady-state technical position.
The Head of Engineering will lead and reshape the engineering function during a critical phase of transformation, with responsibility for operational reliability, maintenance strategy, team performance and long-term engineering capability.
You will oversee vessel and infrastructure maintenance activities, manage major refits and repair programmes, lead contractor performance and drive stronger accountability, structure and leadership standards across the department.
The role sits within the senior leadership structure and works closely with operational and executive stakeholders to support safe, efficient and commercially effective service delivery across a 24/7 operation.
Alongside day-to-day operational leadership, you will also contribute to longer-term initiatives around fleet development, electrification and engineering modernisation.
About You:
You are an operationally credible engineering leader with strong commercial awareness and a proven ability to lead within complex live environments.
You likely bring:
- A strong maritime and shipping background, ideally with seagoing engineering experience
- Senior shore-based leadership experience such as Technical Manager, Fleet Manager or Head of Engineering
- Strong budgetary, maintenance and operational management capability
- The confidence to address performance, culture and organisational challenges head on
- Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills
Experience within passenger vessel operations, transport or other safety-critical 24/7 industries would be highly advantageous.
Reward:
- Very competitive basic salary
- 5–10% management bonus
- 10% employer pension contribution
- Private medical insurance
- Life assurance
- Additional travel and lifestyle benefits
This is an opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of a high-profile maritime operation undergoing significant transformation.
