Senior/Principal Consultant

We’re the UK's largest ports operator with a network of 19 ports around Britain. We handle around one quarter of the UK's seaborne trade and contribute £7.5 billion to our economy every year.

It’s a story we’re proud of but it doesn’t end there. We’re transforming our business and embracing the future.

We offer a vast range of roles spanning the UK, all rooted in a culture that welcomes diversity, fosters talent, encourages internal movement and progression, and places safety as our number one priority.

Senior Maritime Consultant

ABPmer | Southampton, Town Quay

Remote working available

Closing Date: 23rd November 2026

Take your port and harbour experience in a new direction.

If you have built your career managing the day-to-day realities of a busy port or harbour, you will know what good marine operations look like, what can go wrong and how important sound judgement is when safety, navigation and commercial activity come together.

At ABPmer, we are looking for a Senior Maritime Consultant who can bring that real-world operational experience to a diverse range of maritime projects in the UK and internationally.

We are particularly keen to hear from experienced Harbour Masters, Port Managers and senior port or marine operations professionals who are ready to use their knowledge in a broader advisory role.

The opportunity

ABPmer is a leading marine consultancy and survey company with more than 75 years’ experience helping clients sustainably manage, operate and develop within the marine environment. As part of the Associated British Ports Group, maritime operational expertise is at the heart of what we do.

Working alongside our maritime specialists, you will apply your practical port and harbour knowledge to client projects, from initial tenders and proposals through to project delivery and ongoing technical support.

What you will be involved in

Your experience will help clients across areas including:

• Port, harbour and marine facility management
• Port and marine safety
• Navigational risk assessments and risk controls
• Vessel traffic management
• Aids to Navigation
• Berthing and mooring operations
• Port regulatory and legislative matters
• Dredging and marine construction
• Stakeholder engagement and maritime training

You will also produce and review technical reports, manage client enquiries and proposals, contribute to business development and represent ABPmer through industry networking and conferences.

What we are looking for

Ideally, you will have developed your career in a Harbour Master, Port Manager or similarly senior marine operations position, giving you first-hand knowledge of the operational, navigational and safety challenges faced by ports and harbours.

You will bring a relevant mariner or port professional qualification and experience, or degree-level education, alongside strong organisational skills and a delivery-focused approach. A driving licence is also essential as travel forms part of the role.

Previous consultancy experience is not essential. Consultancy or project management experience, auditing experience, strong analytical capability and presentation or expert-witness experience would all be advantageous.

What matters most is that you can translate hands-on maritime operational experience into credible, practical advice for clients.

Why make the move?

For the right Harbour Master or Port Manager, this is an opportunity to step away from responsibility for one port or operation and instead apply your experience across a much broader range of maritime challenges.

You will work with other maritime specialists and multidisciplinary teams on varied projects across the UK and overseas. Some assignments require site visits and periods working away from home, potentially for around two weeks.

If you have spent years building valuable knowledge of ports, harbours, navigation and marine safety, this could be the opportunity to turn that experience into your next career chapter.

Want to see what it’s like to work for the UK’s largest port operator? Our virtual work experience programme gives you an inside look at trade, sustainability, safety, and careers in one of the UK’s most vital indutries- https://www.talentxp.co.uk/track/e2e029cd

Additional Information:

When joining ABP you will find an environment that is both welcoming and challenging. We reward our employees well and offer a generous remuneration package, employer pension, private health insurance and a range of other benefits.

Please note that ABP undertake random screening for substance abuse and operate a zero-tolerance policy. A medical will be required before starting this position also.

We are an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their background, which helps us to provide a diverse and inclusive working environment.

As part of our recruitment process, all successful candidates will be subject to pre-employment screening to Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). Please note your consent will be required and further information on this check can be found using the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels