• Collegiate: Maintains close liaison on training matters with all stakeholders and other relevant organisations to contribute to the provision of a professional service.

• Planning and Organising: Leads the planning and coordination of multiple training programmes, projects, and service activities simultaneously. Develops annual work plans, audit schedules and delivery programmes for instructors and training providers. Monitors project milestones, risks, budgets, and performance measures to ensure successful delivery. Coordinates stakeholder meetings, working groups and advisory forums. Ensures compliance with organisational governance, funding requirements, and reporting obligations. Prioritises resources effectively to meet operational requirements and changing industry needs. Plans and implements activities that maintain sufficient training provision across both catching and onshore sectors.

• Decision making and judgment: Assesses training needs and workforce development priorities, identifying effective solutions to address gaps and shortages. Evaluates the effectiveness and quality of training provision and determine appropriate improvement actions. Makes decisions regarding project delivery, funding eligibility, and resource allocation within delegated authority. Interprets and applies regulatory requirements and organisational policies relating to training delivery. Addresses issues relating to instructor performance, stakeholder concerns, and training provision capacity. Exercises judgement when balancing operational demands, stakeholder expectations, and strategic priorities. Escalates significant risks, concerns, or resource issues where appropriate.

Essential working relationships

Internal:

• Head of Industry Workforce Issues - strategic direction, performance monitoring, and service development.
• Training Team - delivery of programmes, projects, and operational activities.
• Finance Team - budget monitoring, expenditure management, and funding claims.
• Communications Team - promotion of training opportunities and reporting of programme outcomes.
• Wider Seafish colleagues - collaborative delivery of projects and workforce development initiatives.

External:

• Maritime & Coastguard Agency - compliance, training standards, and strategic workforce discussions.
• Maritime Skills Alliance - development of qualifications and training initiatives.
• Fishing Industry Safety Group and associated sub-groups.
• Training providers and instructors - delivery, quality assurance, and continuous improvement.
• Fishermen, processors, and representative organisations - identification of training needs and promotion of learning opportunities.
• Funding bodies, contractors, and project partners - delivery and reporting of funded activities.

Knowledge, skills and experience required

To be a suitable candidate for this role you should have:

Essential

• Degree-level qualification or recognised professional qualification in training, learning and development, education, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrable experience of developing, managing, and evaluating training programmes or learning initiatives.
• Experience of leading and motivating teams to deliver high-quality services and outcomes.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience of collaborating with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience of budget management, project planning, and reporting.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and digital collaboration tools.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound professional judgement.

Desirable

• Knowledge of the seafood, fisheries, or wider maritime sector.
• Experience of working with vocational qualifications, accreditation, or training quality assurance processes.
• Experience of developing and managing externally funded projects.
• Understanding of workforce development, labour market intelligence, and skills planning.
• Professional membership or accreditation in a relevant training, learning, or management discipline.
• Full UK driving licence (Occasional travel throughout the UK is required, including visits to training providers, industry stakeholders, and project partners).

Special features

• Occasional travel throughout the UK is required, including visits to training providers, industry stakeholders, and project partners.
• The role combines strategic workforce development responsibilities with operational delivery and stakeholder management.
• The postholder will collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders and may be required to represent Seafish at sector meetings, conferences, and industry events.
• The role requires balancing planned programme delivery with emerging industry issues and workforce development priorities.
• The postholder must maintain awareness of developments in training practice, qualification frameworks, and industry workforce requirements.

Salary and benefits

• All roles within Seafish are classified and have defined salary bands. This role sits within Job Family C in our pay structure, and the starting salary is at £41,000. A new member’s appointment on the pay structure is dependent on the experience they bring to the role when they start. New candidates normally start at the lower end of the range unless they can demonstrate considerable experience in the requirements of the role.

Additional benefits include:

• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays and wellbeing break when the organisation closes between Christmas and New Year (3 additional days).
• Optional five days per year paid volunteering leave for an activity of your choice.
• Trust and Performance culture – you work in a way that suits you to get your work done to the expected standard.
• A generous employer pension scheme – we'll double your contribution up to a maximum employer contribution of 10%.
• A range of health and wellbeing benefits including Cycle to work scheme and Techscheme, life insurance including health and wellbeing support, gym discounts and eye care.
• Our unlimited employee assistance scheme is a support service available 24/7 – it offers confidential, impartial advice on anything you need such as work, family, finance support or anything else personal to you.
• A professional development culture with plenty of learning opportunities.
• Rewards for high performance each year.

Application process

To apply for the post, you should email your application to recruitment@seafish.co.uk. Please include “Training Manager” in the subject line of your email.

Your application should include:

• A covering letter or a short video explaining why you are a suitable candidate.
• A recent copy of your CV so we can find out more about your skills and experience.
• A completed copy of our recruitment consent form.

The deadline for applications is Monday 19th of October 2026.

While we welcome applications from candidates around the world, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK.