Job Description

Job Title:

Harbourmaster

Location:

Port of Tilbury

Hours:

Monday-Friday 0900-1700 with additional requirement to be on site out of hours / on-call

Compensation:

Salary - 60,000-65,000 + car allowance + bonus



Forth Ports is one of the UK's largest and most dynamic port operator groups, playing a key role in connecting the UK with Europe and beyond. As a multimodal ports owner and operator, we are at the forefront of delivering innovative port-related services. With our recent pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2032 and Net Zero status by 2042, we are committed to sustainability and driving the expansion of the UK's renewable energy sector, particularly offshore wind. Now is an exciting time to join our team as we embark on this transformative journey towards a greener future

About The Role

As Harbourmaster at the Port of Tilbury, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the safe, efficient, and commercially successful operation of one of the UK's busiest ports. This is a leadership position at the heart of marine operations, where you will oversee vessel traffic, champion compliance with statutory and regulatory frameworks, and lead a skilled marine team who keep the port running 24/7. Beyond ensuring safe navigation and berthing, you will be a key figure in driving continuous improvement, fostering strong stakeholder relationships, and contributing to the long-term growth and reputation of the Port of Tilbury as a trusted and innovative gateway for trade.

Key Responsibilities:

Oversee the management of the safe movement, berthing, and departure of all vessels within the Port of Tilbury Enforce compliance with the Port of Tilbury Marine Safety Code, DGHA Regulations, and other relevant legislation Lead marine incident response and investigations, ensuring corrective actions and report to MAIB where necessary Manage and develop marine operations teams, including contract and agency staff Foster a culture of safety, professionalism, and continuous improvement Build strong relationships with agents, local authorities and emergency services Liaise with Asset Managers, berth operators, and contractors to ensure smooth vessel operations Monitor departmental budgets, control costs, and contribute to EBITDA growth Champion a proactive Safety First culture, ensuring that safe working practices are not just followed but embedded into day-to-day behaviours across the marine team Lead by example during safety audits and incident reviews, promoting openness, accountability, and continuous learning to drive improvements in health, safety, and environmental performance

What are we looking for?

We are seeking an experienced and motivated marine professional with a proven background in port operations or harbour management. You will bring strong leadership qualities, the ability to manage complex marine operations under pressure, and the credibility to engage confidently with stakeholders from pilots and shipmasters to regulators and local authorities. You will be decisive, safety-focused, and commercially aware, able to balance operational demands with strategic priorities. A natural communicator and problem solver, you will thrive in a role that combines hands-on operational oversight with long-term planning, ensuring that the Port of Tilbury remains safe, compliant, and forward-looking.

Skills & Qualifications:

Essential:

Proven experience in a port environment or marine operations, ideally as a Harbour Master or Deputy Minimum qualifications to; Master CoC; or Chief Officer (unlimited) : or equivalent MOD (Navy) qualifications, or UKHMA recognised Harbour Master qualification and an ML5, MCA medical certificate Strong leadership and team management skills Excellent communication, networking, and stakeholder engagement abilities Working knowledge of the PMSC and GTGP Computer literate with experience in marine systems (e.g., Tidalis) Full right to work in the UK Full UK driving licence


Desirable:

Degree in Maritime Studies, Business, or Marketing Knowledge of Port of Tilbury infrastructure Experience of managing people and working with different teams of people Experience of project management in a Port/Marine environment Understand Port and River Byelaws, General Directions, and other relevant information. Incident commander and oil spill response experience

What Forth Ports can offer you:

At Forth Ports, our people are our priority, and we are committed to creating a flexible, open, and supportive working culture. As part of our team, you will enjoy:



A competitive salary Defined bonus Car allowance Generous annual leave entitlement A defined pension scheme and life assurance Discretionary bonus Health promotion events and employee wellbeing initiatives Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for you and your family Cycle to work scheme and on-site free parking Attractive Family Friendly Policies Employee discount platform offering discounts on UK-wide restaurants, car rentals, and holidays GymFlex health club memberships


We value diversity and inclusivity, and we are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and will consider all applications for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability status.

How to Apply:

If you are an experienced Harbour Master and looking to continue your career as part of a forward-thinking and supportive team, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV and a cover letter when submitting your application via the 'Apply Now' link.

For those invited, we will be holding interviews at the Port of Tilbury on Wednesday 22nd October.

Required Criteria

Significant experience in port or marine operations, ideally as a Harbour Master or Deputy, with recognised professional qualifications (Master CoC, Chief Officer Unlimited, MOD equivalent, or UKHMA Harbour Master) In-depth knowledge of the Port Marine Safety Code, marine legislation, and emergency response, with the ability to lead investigations, enforce compliance, and promote a proactive safety culture Strong leadership and people management skills, with the capability to oversee 24/7 operations, manage budgets, and work collaboratively with stakeholders to drive efficiency, growth, and continuous improvement Full right to work in the UK Full UK driving licence

Skills Needed

About The Company

Over our 50 years of experience we have witnessed our ports grow to become important assets to support and deliver growth both for the UK and local economies.


The growth impact has been achieved due to the continued investments in our infrastructure, making sure that our ports are able to continually develop their services and support the growth of many industries.


Our people have played a significant role. They have delivered the highest quality of service through their expertise, loyalty and flexibility and, without them, we could not have built the strong reputation and the long term agreements with many customers that we have today.

Company Culture

Welcome to Forth Ports Careers. As a leading port operator, we employ over 1,100 people across our ports in Scotland and the Port of Tilbury in London.


A career in a port business is very rewarding. There is real variety within each role and significant opportunities for promotion and career development. Don't just take our word for it; view the "Some of our People" section and the video below to gain insight into the kinds of jobs our employees do, how they've grown with us, and what motivates them each day.


The port business can be seen as a barometer for the economy and this drives us to be adaptable and fast paced as we identify new business opportunities.

Company Benefits

We are committed to creating a positive working culture for all employees, as well as a good work-life balance.


Here are just some of the benefits of working for Forth Ports.


Vacation, Paid time off, Paid sick days, Retirement plan and/or pension, Employee discounts, Gym membership or wellness programs, Cycle to work, Competitive salary, Employee Assistance Scheme

Salary

60,000.00 - 65,000.00 per year