Head of Marine Operations

Job Introduction

Sodexo Live! have a fantastic and rare opportunity for a Head of Marine Operations to join our first-class team at Bateaux London. We are on course to further develop the business over the coming years. We welcome applications from an ambitious marine professional to take the helm of our marine operation and to play a key role in our future success.

Bateaux London is London’s best restaurant on the water. Situated on the River Thames we offer dining experiences, special events and private hire functions. It's a unique operation where you can experience the vibrance, majesty and unmatched views of the city from a gloriously different perspective.

Reporting into the Venue Director and working alongside the Catering operations and sales team, you will assume accountability for the Captains and Crew, marine administration manager and the Head of Marine Engineering. You will be responsible for marine safety, keeping those onboard the two vessels, workboat, barges and pier we currently operate, safe at all times.

You will undertake the role of ‘Designated Person’ and ensure compliance with all statutory and regulatory maritime requirements for fleet vessels, barges, moorings, pier facility and offices. You will ensure that the above scope of vessels and facilities are fully maintained in accordance with all statutory and manufacturers requirements.

You will have sound knowledge and experience in the marine industry, a thorough understanding of the DSM Code, Inland Waters Passenger Ship Code, Code of Practice for the Tidal Thames and other applicable marine legislation and Good knowledge of maritime regulations and marine industry standards.

We’re experience makers. And food fanatics. Our experiences are unique, and so are our people. Bring personality, your background and your desire for delighting others. In return we’ll give you all you need to thrive. Because at Sodexo Live! We’re so much more. Be part of something greater.

Role Responsibility

You will:

• Act as fleet Designated Person (DP)
• Provide Emergency Response Services to the fleet
• Ensure that all statutory compliance certificates and any other legal or regulatory requirements for each of the vessels, barges, mooring, pier and offices and any other marine assets in the ownership or control of the Company, are valid and in place at all times
• Ensure the Safety Management System for the operation is updated as and when required and the Bateaux London operation remains compliant with all legal requirements at all times.
• Ensure the vessels are maintained in first-class condition, operationally ready and externally clean at all times, and comply with all relevant rules and regulations as required
• Ensure that all captains and crew are duly certified and trained for their position and have received the applicable familiarisation training as per the Crew Certification & Training Matrix
• As well as standard pre-boarding / cruise marine checks, ensure vessels and pier are checked prior to use in terms of external aesthetics/cleanliness, bulb checks and functioning FOH facilities such as toilets, heating etc
• To be accountable for, and authorise all marine related costs, relating to crew labour, parts, maintenance, repairs, bunkering and PPM, covering all marine related operating expenses within the agreed Marine budget. Administered by the Bateaux finance manager and his team and reviewed monthly with the Venue Director.       

The Ideal Candidate

You will have:

• A thorough understanding of the DSM Code, Inland Waters Passenger Ship Code, Code of Practice for the Tidal Thames and other applicable marine legislation in relation to vessels sailing on domestic voyages
• Sound knowledge and experience in the marine industry with extensive previous sea experience, with experience on the River Thames in London. Preference given to holders of a Boat Master’s Licence for Category A-D waters
• General knowledge of vessel bridge, engineering and hospitality operations
• Good knowledge of maritime regulations and marine industry standards as well as HSEQ practices
• Good time management skills with the ability to prioritise tasks
• Strong interpersonal skills and confident and effective communications skills with the ability to respond positively to customers and external parties in an efficient and effective manner
• Competent with computer based marine management systems
• A high degree of computer literacy, specifically with MS Word, Excel and Adobe
• A high degree of written and spoken English.

Package Description

In return for your commitment and hard work, you will be rewarded with a salary of up to £65,000 plus access to our extensive benefits package.

When you join Sodexo Live! you truly belong, you will have the opportunity to thrive with career and supported learning opportunities available across the organisation and with external marine training providers - we can’t wait for you to join us!

About the Company

In the UK and Ireland, Sodexo employs around 30,000 people, and partners with clients in many sectors across business and industry; schools and universities; sports and leisure; energy and resources; government and agencies; healthcare; justice and defence.

Sodexo’s connected; people-centric approach brings together a diverse range of expertise. The breadth of services it offers ranges from food and hospitality; cleaning; reception; concierge (Circles); security; property management and technical services through to data driven workplace strategy and design (Wx); employee engagement and recognition services (Sodexo Engage) and personal home services through Prestige Nursing + Care and the Good Care Group.

Vital Spaces is Sodexo’s value proposition that puts people at the heart of everything we do, bringing together services and solutions and focusing on the productivity and wellbeing of people wherever they are.

Sodexo is committed to being an inclusive employer; we welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds and identities.

We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations.

We are building on our support to the Armed Forces community through the development of specific pathways within our recruitment process to  support ex-forces personnel and reservists, those applying for jobs with us who meet the ideal candidate criteria for the role advertised are guaranteed to progress to the selection process