The Head of Docking and MRO will deliver a planned maintenance strategy and system, including the definition of internal policies and procedures for implementation. The planned maintenance regime is to be future proofed in terms of obsolescence management and technological support, whilst also meeting regulatory and contract requirements.

The role is to provide engineering authority for changes to vessels, and decisions on engineering issues, with a primary focus on marine engineering aspects.

It is anticipated that the initial 12-18 months of this role will involve transitional activities that are likely to range more widely than the core functions of the role. This period is likely to involve the identification and rectification of any current issues as part of a roadmap to achieving a new way of working. This will present an opportunity to the successful applicant not only to understand the current functioning of the contract, but also to be able to influence the nature of the role from its commencement.

The Head of Docking and MRO is a leadership role that is not only significantly technical, but also highly commercial, strategic and collaborative in nature.

Key accountabilities

• Docking and MRO programme management:
  • • Develop and maintain overall docking (and yard-based project) strategy for the fleet
    • Manage all commercial framework agreements and Long Term Relationships
    • Manage overall budgets for dockings, doing forecasting and delivery
    • Manage programme risk for dockings overall
    • Develop and manage overarching substitute vessel provision agreements
    • Negotiate specific large docking contracts to be commercially advantageous, leading on negotiations with strong technical and commercial aspects
    • Ensure an outage programme that is matched to the available budget, the Statutory Docking Cycle and availability requirement in each Service Delivery area, and to provision substitute vessels when this is not possible.
    • Overall responsibility for the outage and docking process for the fleet of vessels as defined by the contractual terms and responsibilities.
    • Be the source of financial forecasting for the contract outage requirements, including support to governance and identification/mitigation of risk profiling.
    • Oversight of the preparation, maintenance and monitoring of engineering budgets and ensuring reporting compliance with QDC and SSCR cost requirements as required by law.
    • Analysis of engineering data and information to suggest and implement improvements to contract performance.
    • Supporting appropriate resource planning in the SDAs to deliver the docking solution to the required regulatory and contract standards.
    • Overall definition of the processes and policies are in place to support the delivery of the Docking solution.
    • From a docking and MRO perspective, ensure compliance with all applicable Flag, Class. MCA, DMR and other regulatory requirements

• MRO planned maintenance and engineering authority:
  • • Lead (and develop as necessary) the planned maintenance strategy for existing and new vessels, including the definition of internal policies and procedures for implementation.
    • Ensure system for compliance with standards for all vessels – set expectations, audit, lead change where necessary, assuring the business of a safe and compliant state of the vessels.
    • Ensure high technical quality of docking work and set standards for this. Hold yards to account technically. Provide escalation route for technical managers to facilitate this.
    • Oversee the maintenance of assets in accordance with sound commercial practice to ensure their ongoing availability to meet programmed activities.
    • Provide engineering authority for change in vessels, and decisions on engineering issues, with a primary focus on marine engineering. Act as the engineering authority for non- GFE managed assets and provide SME advice on GFE assets managed under the contracts.

• Transitional activities:
  • • Carry out gap analysis of current situation – fleet review, safety criticality and issues to be resolved.
    • Develop and implement a get well plan as required.
    • Plan towards new target operating model.
    • Integration of the existing and new ways of working for the fleet.

• Other accountabilities:
  • • Maintenance and the promotion of the company values.
    • Ensuring business is conducted in accordance with company policies, procedures and plans (Corporate and Contract specific), with emphasis on those relating to safety and protection of the environment.
    • Performing any other duties, as directed by the Defence Managing Director within competency and skill level.
    • Managing the continuous improvement and development of business processes and systems to meet the contract objectives and goals.
    • Promote and enable a diverse and inclusive Future Technical Capability Development Program (including Trainee/Apprentice Engineers)

Essential technical and professional skills, knowledge and qualifications

• Experience in the docking, refit and repair of small to medium sized commercial vessels, ideally similar in nature to those in the company fleet.
• Extensive senior management experience in maritime design and/or engineering programs.
• Experience of commercial shipyard contracting, ideally from both an owner and shipyard perspective.
• Understanding of Class, Flag and Naval Requirements.
• Detailed marine engineering knowledge, both practical and theoretical.
• Experience of asset management in the marine sector.
• Experience in developing and operating planned maintenance systems.
• Experience in new vessel commissioning and operations.
• Experience in dealing with multiple Suppliers/Subcontractors.
• Proven skills and experience in collaborative working in a matrix organisation.
• Very strong communication skills, verbally and in writing.