Our commitment to excellence, industry expertise, and personalised approach make us the ideal choice for clients seeking to build high-performing teams in the dynamic and competitive maritime landscape.
One specialist recruitment partner. Five ways to hire.
Marine People connects skilled professionals with shipbuilding and maritime employers in the UK and around the world. We understand the demands of the sector, and our services go beyond traditional recruitment.
Choose one service or combine several. Whatever you need, we shape each search around your business and your projects.
Permanent recruitment
Build the team your business needs for the long term.
Great hires start with a clear picture of the role. We take time to understand the work, the team and the results you want. Then we search for people with the right experience, skills and motivation.
We stay involved from first brief to first day. You get honest advice, regular updates and a shortlist you can trust.
How we help
- Shape the role, requirements and salary expectations with you
- Search the market and approach experienced people directly
- Manage shortlisting, interviews and offers
- Support the move into the new job
Best for: Roles that will shape your business for years to come.
Typical roles: Engineering disciplies · Project management · Fleet operations · Heath, Safety & Quality · Commercial · Business support
Contract and temporary staffing
Add skilled people when project demands change
Workloads rise and fall. Refits, delivery programmes and busy periods all need extra capacity, often at short notice. We find specialists who can start quickly and contribute from day one.
We agree the skills, length, location and start date up front. We also talk about availability and engagement arrangements early, so the search reflects the practical demands of the work.
How we help
- Clarify the skills and assignment details
- Identify available specialists quickly
- Discuss engagement arrangements early
- Support extensions or follow-on assignments
Best for: Defined projects, refits, workload peaks and delivery programmes.
Typical roles: Technical professionals · Project professionals · Operational roles · Agreed shipyard trades
Executive search
Appoint leaders who understand your business
Senior appointments carry real weight. They shape your people, your performance, and your reputation. We support confidential director, senior management, and board-level searches across shipbuilding and maritime.
We agree the leadership brief with you and map the relevant market. Then we approach potential candidates directly. We assess career achievements, technical or commercial understanding and leadership experience against what the role needs.
Discretion stays central throughout. We agree how employer information and candidate approaches are handled at the very start.
How we help
- Define the leadership brief together
- Map the market and approach candidates in confidence
- Assess achievements, experience and fit
- Guide you through interviews and offers
Best for: Confidential senior hires, leadership, and board members
Typical roles: Chief Executive Officer · Chief Operating Officer · Managing Director · Engineering Director · Fleet Director · Director of Infrastructure, Quality and Environment
360 recruitment solutions
One agreed plan for hiring across your whole business
Sometimes one vacancy turns into many. A new project, a growing team or a major programme can mean hiring at every level at once. Our 360 service brings the right recruitment support together under one plan.
We agree priorities, reporting and responsibilities before the search begins. You get one consistent partner who understands your business, from the shop floor to the boardroom.
How we help
- Build a single plan around your vacancies and milestones
- Agree priorities, reporting and who does what
- Combine permanent, contract and executive support
- Keep every search consistent and joined up
Best for: Several teams hiring at once, or projects that need a broader team.
Coverage can include: Skilled trades · Engineering · Project delivery · Operations · Commercial · HR · Finance · Bids/Sales · Executive leadership
International and Five Eyes recruitment
Reach specialist talent across borders
Some skills are hard to find in one country. We support international searches and talk early about location, mobility, working arrangements and eligibility. That helps avoid delays later.
Our Five Eyes capability supports maritime and naval roles across the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Each search reflects your requirements and the circumstances of the role.
Where security clearance is needed, we work with you on the process. Clearance decisions always remain with the relevant authorities.
How we help
- Plan the search around location and mobility
- Check eligibility requirements early
- Coordinate with you on clearance processes
- Keep every step clear for you and the candidate
Best for: Specialist skills, global programmes and Five Eyes assignments.
Coverage: United Kingdom · United States · Canada · Australia · New Zealand
Why clients choose Marine People
Five simple steps so you always know where your search stands.
Define
Together, we agree the role, the working environment, the key skills and experience required, and your main hiring priorities.
Search
Through our global industry network, we reach out to experienced people, including those not actively applying.
Assess
We review each candidate against your brief, then share a focused shortlist of the people best suited to the role.
Appoint
We coordinate interviews, feedback and offer discussions, keeping everyone informed until the appointment is agreed.
Support
We stay in touch throughout the joining process and the early weeks in the role, so the move into the new job goes smoothly.
Global leaders. Specialist employers.
An international group and a specialist marine business face different hiring challenges. One may need to hire across several countries and sites. The other may need one rare skill, fast.
So we don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach. We start by learning how your organisation works, what your projects demand and where your team needs to be in the future. Then we shape the search around that.
You get a team that knows the sector, speaks plainly and keeps you informed at every stage. Your business information and hiring plans are always handled with discretion.
- Sector knowledge: We understand shipbuilding, vessel operations and the wider maritime world.
- Tailored searches: Every brief is shaped around your business, your projects and your people.
- Clear and discreet: Regular updates, honest advice and careful handling of your information.
Recruitment FAQs
Why specialise in shipbuilding recruitment?
By focusing exclusively on shipbuilding recruitment, we’ve developed a level of expertise that translates directly into benefits for you. We understand the industry’s technical complexities, its unique regulatory landscape, and the specific skills essential for success. This ensures swift, accurate matching of candidates to your needs, saving you time and resources while guaranteeing a seamless fit for your team.
What makes your recruitment solutions different from a generalist agency?
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. Our solutions are built specifically around your organisational and project needs, company culture, and long-term goals. This personalised approach ensures every placement is more than just filling a role – it’s about finding team members who drive lasting success.
How do you guarantee the quality of your candidates?
The candidate screening process at Marine People goes far beyond just reviewing CVs. Our experienced consultants specialise in shipbuilding recruitment and meticulously evaluate technical skills, cultural fit, and alignment with your specific project requirements. You can be sure that we will only present the most suitable candidates, saving you valuable time and resources.
I need to fill roles quickly. Can you help?
Absolutely. Understanding the time-sensitive nature of shipbuilding, we prioritise swift and efficient recruitment. We’ll work with urgency to meet your deadlines while never sacrificing the quality of our candidates.
I need clear communication during the hiring process, how does Marine People approach this?
Transparency is key for us here at Marine People. From initial discussions to final placement, we’ll provide regular updates and clear communication. This ensures you’re always involved and minimises surprises.
Can you assist with salary benchmarking?
Of course! We stay current on industry compensation trends. Our benchmarking expertise ensures your salaries and benefits are competitive, allowing you to attract and retain the best talent.
Do you offer contract or temporary staffing solutions in addition to permanent placements?
Yes, we understand that project needs can change. We can provide both short-term and long-term staffing options to ensure you have the right talent at the right time.
Learn more about our temporary and permanent staffing solutions here.
Do you offer post-placement support?
We’re invested in the long-term success of your hires. We provide onboarding support and check in periodically to ensure a smooth transition for both the new team member and your organisation.
What is talent mapping, and how can it help me?
Talent mapping is like a strategic treasure hunt for top professionals. We analyse the entire industry landscape, pinpointing standout individuals even if they’re not currently on the job market. This gives you a competitive edge in finding exceptional talent.
We’re here to support your shipbuilding success.
Start the conversation.
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