Senior Ship Manager
United Kingdom – Remote
Full time, Permanent
About Us:
James Fisher is a global engineering services company. From our origins as a ship owner and operator, we’ve evolved to provide the expertise and innovative technology our customers need in the harshest of environments across Maritime Transport. Maritime Transport is a leading provider of global maritime shipping and ship-to-ship (STS) transfer services.
We are relied on to help our customers deliver on their promises and realise their ambitions safely, efficiently and responsibly.
We have a strong heritage built on the foundations of our people and innovation. Alongside our valuable partnerships with customers, communities and suppliers, we are embedding a more sustainable approach across our business.
Our strategy is centred around the One James Fisher ambition. We are building a stronger, more cohesive engineering service company operating in the Blue Economy.
Together, we are building a brighter, bolder and more innovative future.
The Role:
We are looking for a skilled and motivated Senior Ship Manager to join our Fleet Operations team. This is a key leadership role responsible for managing a team and overseeing the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of a designated group of vessels.
You will play a central role in driving performance, maintaining high standards across your fleet, and supporting strategic initiatives. The position requires strong people management skills, operational expertise, and the ability to adapt to changing priorities in a dynamic environment.
Principle Accountabilities:
- Lead and develop a team of Ship Managers and Assistant Ship Managers.
- Manage appraisals and performance for crew members across designated ships.
- Oversee vessel maintenance, dry dock planning, and repair execution.
- Ensure compliance with the Safety Management System (SMS), maritime regulations, and third-party requirements.
- Conduct inspections, incident investigations, and share findings across the fleet.
- Manage vessel budgets, including planning, forecasting, and cost control.
- Support strategic goals and drive continuous improvement in ship operations.
- Participate in crew recruitment and annual appraisals of team members.
- Form part of the company’s Out of Hours emergency response rota.
Qualifications and Experience:
- Marine Engineering or Nautical Science qualifications (Class 2 Motor or Deck preferred).
- Proven experience in ship management or a similar maritime role.
- Strong technical knowledge of ship operations and maintenance, ideally with tanker experience.
- Proficiency in ship management systems (ShipPalm/AMOS) and dry-docking software (REFMAN).
- Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Full UK driving licence and ability to travel at short notice, including weekends and evenings.
- Must have the right to live and work in the UK.
Due to the volume of applications that we receive for our vacancies, on occasion applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment.
James Fisher & Sons are committed to taking positive action on diversity and we strongly encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds and as a Disability Confident employer we are committed to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the role.
James Fisher and Sons plc, are proud to be partnered with the Career Transition Partnership, the official provider of Armed Forces resettlement for over 20 years.