Lead Rigger
Salary (Grade 6): £38,961 - £41,340 per annum (dependent upon experience)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week - Permanent
Location: National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Linking Navy to Nation with inspiring stories and experiences. Here you can come aboard the most famous ships, planes, and submarines of the Royal Navy and experience them through the stories of the people who served on them. As well as being truly captivated by the thousands of unique, emotional, and sometimes quirky stories that have shaped the Royal Navy into what it proudly stands for today.
You are pivotal in us achieving our vision, and to support this we embrace diversity and want everyone to feel valued and have a sense of belonging.
This is a great opportunity to join the team:
We are looking for a Lead Rigger to join our team and play a key role in the ongoing care and maintenance of the wide range of rigs within NMRN's collection. This role helps ensure that all rigging is maintained to a high standard while retaining historical accuracy.
Several projects are planned over the coming years to renew and replace rigging across the collection, and the Lead Rigger will be fundamental in delivering this work, working closely with the Principal Rigger to plan and coordinate rigging activity across all vessels.
What you can bring:
This role requires management of rigging team members, purchasing and coordinating supply of materials and equipment, maintaining records, completing health and safety paperwork, coordinating works with other teams and contractors.
* Knowledge of square rig standing and running rigging.
* Knowledge of traditional rigging techniques, and experience in completing.
* Experience in completing rigging maintenance on traditional vessels.
* Experience in the planning and completing of rigging maintenance with teams of staff.
* Experienced in leading the completion of complex rigging work aloft.
* Experience maintaining records and ordering materials and equipment.
* Knowledge of Health and Safety associated with working aloft, lifting and workshop operations.
* An ability to engage with and inspire our visitors.
* Experience working with subcontractors.
* Good planning and coordination skills.
What we offer:
* The opportunity to be part of a friendly and diverse workplace within a unique heritage environment.
* Group pension plan with Royal London (6% employer contributions, 2% employee contributions and death in service benefit).
* 25 days' annual leave (plus bank holidays) pro rata for part time employees, increasing to 30 days' annual leave (plus bank holidays) after 5 years' service, pro rata for part time employees, with the option to purchase additional annual leave.
* Enhanced maternity/adoption and paternity pay.
* Flexible working.
* Employee Assistance Programme.
* Free admission to other national museums and attractions within the reciprocal agreement.
* Discounts at our shops and cafes.
* Free and discounted tickets for family and friends.
* A range of other benefits including cycle to work.
* Paid reservist leave.
We want you to succeed and showcase your skills and experiences, so if you are invited to interview, we will share our interview questions with you ahead of time. If you would like to have an informal discussion regarding the role, or ask any questions, please contact Stuart Sheldon, Lead Rigger, on email
All applicants are asked to apply via by midnight on 4th March 2026. The selection processes will be held on site in Portsmouth on 18th March 2026.
If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to the application process because of a disability, please contact the People team on for support.
This post requires a DBS check as a requirement of working on the naval base, as well as the right to work in the UK. Please note we cannot currently sponsor work visas.