Master

Location: Ross‑shire, IV40 8AJ
Salary: Competitive salary plus excellent benefits
Schedule: Permanent, full time, rostered 6 weeks on, 3 weeks off

Ready to impact a better future?

As a Master in our Maritime North – BUTEC Operations team, you’ll lead the safe and efficient operation of our vessel, guiding colleagues and clients with confidence and care. Your work will directly contribute to delivering safe, reliable marine operations that support communities and create a positive impact across the region.

Every day, you’ll help ensure our vessel, colleagues, and clients are protected, prepared, and ready for their mission. You’ll champion safety, uphold standards, and bring clarity to complex operations – all while helping shape a safer future for those who depend on vital marine capability.

What you’ll do as a Master

You’ll be entrusted to:

• Lead the vessel’s overall command, ensuring compliance with Flag and Class legislation, Serco Marine Integrated Management System, and Serco policies
• Maintain responsibility for all shipboard operations, including vessel and crew certification
• Prepare the vessel for voyage and tasking, and oversee shipboard management and safety committee meetings as required
• Liaise with operational authorities on vessel tasking and operational matters
• Create and maintain operational, technical, and client documentation
• Promote operational efficiency, morale, welfare, and safety for all colleagues on board
• Ensure full familiarity with the vessel’s construction, navigation, manoeuvrability, and equipment
• Comply with Merchant Shipping legislation and ensure all relevant provisions are met
• Establish, maintain, and review risk assessments and operational procedures
• Conduct daily inspections to uphold high standards of hygiene, cleanliness, and preservation
• Submit operational and condition reports in line with company procedures
• Personally supervise navigation during port entry and departure, confined waters, adverse weather, or reduced visibility

Does this sound like you?

You’ll be a great fit for this role if you have:

• SC cleared or have no issues obtaining it

• MCA Certificate of Competence Master 3000GT (Near Coastal) as a minimum
• Current STCW certificates, including Personal Survival Techniques, Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities, Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, Proficiency in Survival Craft, and Proficiency in Designated Security Duties
• STCW Medical Care onboard and Elementary First Aid
• An unrestricted ENG1 medical certificate
• A methodical approach and strong safety mindset
• A good standard of education

This role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance, which involves verifying your identity, employment history, nationality, and criminal record to meet government security standards. In addition, depending on the nature of the role, you may need to obtain formal Security Clearance (such as CTC or SC), which includes more detailed background checks on employment, criminal record, and financial history to ensure suitability for working in secure environments. Please note that UK residency requirements may apply for certain levels of clearance. You will also complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire so we can identify and provide any support you may need to undertake the role effectively.

Discover all you need to keep growing

We’re one of the top 1% of international employers, so you can have confidence you’ll be part of a highly supportive culture with leaders you can count on to help you achieve your goals. From mentoring and training to our focus on internal progression, we’re proud to offer clear development opportunities – and the support and tools to help you seize them.

What we offer

• Holidays: Competitive Holiday package
• Pension: Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
• Training and development: Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships (including L3 Team Leader and L5 Operations Manager apprenticeships), mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression
• Health and wellbeing: 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, BUPA Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, Simplyhealth cash plans to claim back money towards healthcare costs, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres
• Discounts: Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel
• Charity: Paid volunteering day, tax‑free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme, donate your pennies from your monthly pay to the Serco People Fund Charity
• Employee networks: Our networks support inclusion and connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning, and belonging. They represent and empower all our colleagues including LGBTQIA+ employees, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, veterans, and people from all cultural backgrounds.

Let’s impact a better future, together. Apply today.

To discover more about our careers in Defence, meet our team, and to find out more about what we offer, please follow this Link. We’re also a signatory of the UK Governments Women in Defence Charter, to find out more please click here.

Please click on the apply button to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large volume of applications for our roles and when that happens, we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment. 

At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. As such we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. As a proud Disability Confident Leader and holder of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard, disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview. 

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