Harbour Master

**Full time, Permanent**

**Help us bring Bristol Harbour’s commercial potential to life.**

The regeneration and development works that are currently in progress at Bristol Harbour are 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 are being realised - and that is where you come in.

Following a structure review, we are seeking an ambitious and highly astute Harbour Master who will take the strategic lead of the many projects that are currently underway, plus those that are planned for future months and years. Join us in this newly-created role, and you will represent the Harbour in the Western Harbour Programme that is being led by Bristol City Council’s Regeneration Team, seeing to it that commercial opportunities that will deliver the best possible outcomes are being pursued and secured. As the key decision-maker on numerous projects, you will focus your energies on the strategic direction of these initiatives. Acting as ‘the voice’ for Bristol City Docks, and ensuring that the right people are being brought together to maintain the momentum of these projects, you will engage with a wide range of stakeholders and including those in our Place-Making Team and the Maritime & Coastguard Agency.

Ensuring the Harbour is compliant with all safety standards and expectations, your reach will extend from visiting craft and commercial boats to visitors, residents and business occupiers. You will also oversee the of any accidents, incidents or near-misses that occur - so in short, this is a hugely varied role, in which you will balance the many interesting facets of Harbour life

With the full support of an Operational Harbour Manager who will run the day-to-day activities of the harbour, you will guide and mentor a team of around 50 people in their work. To excel in this role, you will therefore be a qualified Harbour Master (or equivalent), with significant experience in the Port and Marine Industry, and a great awareness of the relevant legislation and safety standards. Exceptional strategic skills are essential, and you will bring plenty of gravitas to the role. 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. Commercially astute with the ability to get the most out of a budget, you will have plenty of ideas on how to generate income. Crucially, we will look to you to manage a high-performing team, and you will be committed to delivering great customer service.

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.

Closing date: 22nd April

At Bristol City Council, we value having a workforce as diverse as the city we serve. We therefore welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. Appointments will be made on merit.