This role is based in Southampton at MCA HQ, Spring Place.
Other MCA Marine offices may be considered, however, the postholder will need to travel to Southampton regularly.
Job Summary
The Director of Maritime Governance and Regulatory Compliance reports to the Chief Executive and will be a member of the Executive Team with responsibility for leading the External Assurance, Regulatory Compliance and Investigations Teams.
The post holder is accountable for the external assurance of 12 Crown Dependencies (CDs) and British Overseas Territories (OTs) maritime administrations and shipping registers, six UK authorised Recognised Organisations (ROs) and 15 UK authorised Certifying Authorities (CAs). Building strategic and diplomatic relationships to resolve complex international problems affecting the operation of the UK flag.
They will provide policy direction, assurance, and accountability on all aspects of prosecutions and other action in relation to breaches of UK Merchant Shipping legislation through the work of the Regulatory Compliance and Investigations Team.
The Director of Maritime Governance and Regulatory Compliance will also deliver the MCA's regulatory compliance and enforcement policy which aligns to the MCA's strategic vision and operational requirements.
Job Description
Principle Responsibilities
* Oversight of strategic direction across the Directorate including delivery of Ministerial priorities on maritime and for the sector.
* Maintain International Maritime Organization (IMO) Instruments Implementation Code (III Code) status for the UK and wider Red Ensign Group (REG). In this context, the role will include the Chair of the UK's III Code Maritime Steering Committee and will undertake the position, role and responsibilities of the IMO III Code Single Point of Contact for the UK and REG in accordance with formal agreements with IMO Member State Audit Directorate.
* Within the context of the UK Merchant Shipping Act, Art. 73 of the UN Charter, UNCLOS, and III Code, deliver and execute the devolved responsibilities to ensure that the Secretary of State's overarching superintendence over all British shipping matters, including flag, port and coastal state as defined in the III Code, is properly discharged.
* Monitoring and strategic policy lead for ROs and CAs. Chair of British Certification Committees for the UK/REG's Recognised Organisations and Certifying Authorities.
* Chair of REG Technical Forum and Conference.
* Responsible for the leadership and effective operation of legal services for Regulatory Compliance and Investigations and HM Coastguard teams in respect of Coronial and Fatal Accident Enquiries.
* Ensure the development of long-term enforcement strategies for the MCA and add value for the UK public, seafarers and the Maritime Sector to make real lasting change beyond the civil service utilising other IMO member states.
Further information can be found in the job description attached to the advert.
Principle Responsibilities
* Oversight of strategic direction across the Directorate including delivery of Ministerial priorities on maritime and for the sector.
* Maintain International Maritime Organization (IMO) Instruments Implementation Code (III Code) status for the UK and wider Red Ensign Group (REG). In this context, the role will include the Chair of the UK's III Code Maritime Steering Committee and will undertake the position, role and responsibilities of the IMO III Code Single Point of Contact for the UK and REG in accordance with formal agreements with IMO Member State Audit Directorate.
* Within the context of the UK Merchant Shipping Act, Art. 73 of the UN Charter, UNCLOS, and III Code, deliver and execute the devolved responsibilities to ensure that the Secretary of State's overarching superintendence over all British shipping matters, including flag, port and coastal state as defined in the III Code, is properly discharged.
* Monitoring and strategic policy lead for ROs and CAs. Chair of British Certification Committees for the UK/REG's Recognised Organisations and Certifying Authorities.
* Chair of REG Technical Forum and Conference.
* Responsible for the leadership and effective operation of legal services for Regulatory Compliance and Investigations and HM Coastguard teams in respect of Coronial and Fatal Accident Enquiries.
* Ensure the development of long-term enforcement strategies for the MCA and add value for the UK public, seafarers and the Maritime Sector to make real lasting change beyond the civil service utilising other IMO member states.
Further information can be found in the job description attached to the advert.
Person specification
As part of the application process, alongside your CV, a Personal Statement is required. Both documents form a critical step in your application process.
Role
A
Statement of Suitability
will evidence your own suitability for the role. In this step of the process, which is conducted online via the Civil Service portal, please ensure to reference the following criteria outlined below:
* Experience of handling complex international and European maritime issues within the context of the UK's Overseas Territories (OT) and Crown Dependencies (CD) foreign policy.
* Demonstrable experience and knowledge of the UKs responsibilities under the III Code and other relevant maritime legislation, including but not limited to Flag, Coastal, and Port State responsibilities.
* Advanced capability and experience of MCA Survey & Inspection operational delivery as applied to the general shipping and fishing industry.
* Experience of operating strategically to secure the UKs maritime policy objectives, demonstrating developed diplomatic and analytical skills.
* Highly developed interpersonal and influencing skills with a demonstrable ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders up to a senior level; including Governors and Ministers within the OT/CDs.
* An understanding of risk management, assurance and governance in the public sector to provide strategic direction and quality assure work undertaken by third parties.
* Be a credible and authentic leader, with the ability to articulate a vision, and engage people to deliver results.
Alongside your salary of £92,500, Maritime and Coastguard Agency contributes £26,797 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
The Benefits Of Working For The Civil Service
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service values and supports all its employees. We have strong and pro-active staff networks, special leave policies for hospital appointments, reasonable adjustments put in place for those who need them, and diversity talent programmes to help everyone irrespective of background, to achieve their potential
Pension
Your pension is a valuable part of your total reward package. A competitive contributory pension scheme that you can enter as soon as you join where we will make a significant contribution to the cost of your pension; where your contributions come out of your salary before any tax is taken; and where your pension will continue to provide valuable benefits for you and your family if you are too ill to continue to work or die before you retire. Visit Civil Service Pension Scheme for more details.
Generous Annual Leave and Bank Holiday Allowance
25 days annual leave on entry, increasing on a sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years' service (allowance is pro rata for part-time
employees). This is in addition to 8 public holidays.
This will be complimented by one further day paid privilege entitlement to mark the King's Birthday.
Flexible working
Due to the nature of the role, it is offered on a full-time working basis only.
Generous paid maternity and paternity leave
This is notably more than the statutory minimum offered by many other employers.
Childcare Benefits
Policy for new employees as of 5 April 2018: The government has introduced the Tax Free Childcare (TFC) scheme. Working parents can open an online childcare account and for every £8 they pay in, the government adds £2, up to a maximum of £2000 a year for each child or £4000 for a disabled child. Parents then use the
funds to pay for registered childcare. Existing employees may be able to continue to claim childcare vouchers, so please check how the policy would work for you here.
Season Ticket and Bicycle Loan
Interest-free loans allowing you to spread the cost of an annual travel season ticket or a new bicycle.
Selection process details
Application
To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online application process by no later than
23:55 on Tuesday 16th September 2025.
* All applications must be submitted by the date set out in the advert. Applications will consist of a CV and personal statement.
* CV: setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements.
* Personal Statement: (no longer than 1250 words) explaining how you can evidence your suitability for the role.
Shortlist
* Your application will be acknowledged once it has been received.
* The panel will select a shortlist of candidates whose applications best demonstrate their suitability for the role.
* Candidates applying under the Disability Confident Scheme or other interview schemes who meet the minimum selection criteria in the job specification are guaranteed an interview.
Assessment/Interview
* You will be requested to attend a panel assessment which will include an interview and presentation, in order to gain a more in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence.
* Interviews will take place in person at MCA Headquarters in Southampton.
* Full details of the assessment format will be provided to shortlisted candidates prior to interview.
Outcome
* Due to the anticipated number of applicants, we are unable to offer feedback to those not selected for an assessment.
* Shortlisted candidates who attend an interview will receive feedback from the interview panel.
* The successful candidate will be offered the position and invited to complete the pre-employment checks.
Key Dates And Information
We will offer as much flexibility as we can, but it may not be possible to offer alternative dates for assessments or interviews. You are therefore asked to note the below timetable and exercising flexibility throughout the recruitment and selection process in order to meet the provided dates.
Selection Panel:
The panel will consist of Virginia McVea, Chief Executive Officer and two other members of the MCA Executive Team (to be confirmed upon invitation to assessment).
Application:
Failure to submit both CV and Personal Statement documents will mean the panel will only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria.
As part of the online application process, you will be asked a number of diversity-related questions. If you do not wish to provide a declaration on any of the characteristics, you will have the option to select 'prefer not to say'. All monitoring data will be treated in the strictest confidence and will not be provided to the selection panel.
The timeline contained in this pack indicates the dates by which decisions are expected to be made.
All candidates will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible thereafter, and we will be advising of any delays.
Advert Closes: Tuesday 16th September 2025
Maritime and Coastguard Agency Shortlist: W/C 22nd September 2025
Assessment/Interviews: W/C 1st October 2025
Presentation and Interview Location: Spring Place, Southampton
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
* Contact Government Recruitment Service at: as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
* Complete the 'assistance required' section in the 'personal information' page of your application form to provide information we should be aware of that will enable us to support you further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Reserve lists
A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months, which the Civil Service may use to fill future suitable vacancies across government for candidates who are considered appointable following interview.
Further Information
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact:
Contact Us
Should candidates like to discuss the role in more detail before submitting an application, please contact
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This role has a minimum assignment duration of 3 years. An assignment duration is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through building your depth of expertise.
As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups
* UK nationals
* nationals of the Republic of Ireland
* nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
* Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact
* Name : SCS Recruitment Team
* Email :
Recruitment team
* Email :
Further information
Civil Service Commission Selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit, on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.
In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners' Recruitment Principles, our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of appointment on the basis of merit by fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance you should contact;
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission at and more information can be found