Head of Maritime Audit & Verification

Overview

Can you lead a team that drives consistent, high‑quality maritime audit and verification? Do excel at guiding others through complex International Safety Management Code (ISM) International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS), Maritime Labour Convention (2006) (MLC) and safety requirements? Have you built the surveyor expertise to influence stakeholders and uphold UK maritime standards?

If so, we’d love to hear from you!

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is seeking a dynamic and motivated professional to join UK Technical Maritime Services (UKTMS), the directorate responsible for delivering the UK’s maritime safety, security and environmental protection objectives. UKTMS inspects and surveys UK and international vessels to ensure compliance with safety, pollution‑prevention and labour standards, supporting the Government’s aim of achieving Safer Ships and Cleaner Seas.

Within this directorate, the Technical Operations (Tech Ops) function acts as the central hub for operational expertise, coordinating teams specialising in survey operations, inspection, safety management, security and maritime labour compliance.

You will join the Maritime Audit & Verification team, a small but highly specialist unit that develops, implements and monitors consistent processes, procedures and guidance across safety management systems, maritime security and International Labour Organization (ILO) requirements for UK‑flagged and other relevant vessels.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the King’s birthday
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Find out more about what it's like working at:
Maritime and Coastguard Agency - Department for Transport Careers

Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:

• Lead Maritime Audit & Verification operations and act as the main contact for safety, security and labour‑standards guidance.
• Work closely with Technical Operations teams and support Marine Offices with processes and procedures.
• Apply and oversee compliance with ISM, Domestic Safety Management Code (DSM), Intended Pleasure Vessel Code (IPV), ISPS, MLC and ILO 188 requirements.
• Track, support and report Marine Office progress on all audit and verification programmes.
• Maintain clear, consistent guidance for Surveyors across all audit and verification activity.
• Represent the UK at internal and external meetings, providing expert technical input.
• Follow up on vessel detentions linked to safety, security or labour‑standard deficiencies.
• Support training delivery, manage team performance, budgets, and assess exemptions/equivalences.

Great line management is important to us as an organisation, and we will equip and support line managers to develop the skills they need. We aim to empower line managers to create teams where people can flourish and deliver excellent outcomes for the public.

For further information on the role, please read the role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.