Apprenticeships communications assistant jobs

Location: NSC, London SE1

Contract: Full time, 1-year Fixed Term One Year (initially)

Salary: £35k + PRP (Performance Related Pay)

Closing Date: 1st May 2026

Marine Society have an exciting new role! Help us to grow our rapidly expanding apprenticeships and adult skills programmes to meet growing industry demand. We’re looking for a confident, self-starter individual who can engage key stakeholders and employers in the maritime industry and increase our reach and reputation.

You’ll be expected to have a good understanding of the maritime sector training needs and have a demonstrable track record in sales and recruitment. A working knowledge of government funded training programmes is helpful but not essential.

This role could support a secondment for the right individual. Subject to success in the role, we hope to make this permanent after one year.

The Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC) is the leading maritime charity for youth development and lifelong learning. We are a vibrant and growing charity inspiring young people to achieve their potential through challenge and nautical adventure and also enabling seafarers and maritime professionals to realise their potential through learning and career development. Working with our employees, cadets, and volunteers, we have built a strong vision and five-year Future Ready strategy to meet the growing demand for what we provide, both for young people, seafarers and maritime professionals – and the thousands who aspire to be the sea cadets and marine professionals of the future. It is also about equipping them to achieve their potential and thrive in a rapidly changing world, while growing our charity to benefit even more people – including those from under-represented or marginalised groups.

About the role

This new role is to support the growth of Marine Society apprenticeship and adult skills provision. This is a strategic, outward-facing role requiring a confident astute individual who can engage key stakeholders and employers in the maritime industry to recruit new entrants and existing employees onto Marine Society programmes.

Responsibilities

· To grow the apprenticeship and adult skills provision in line with agreed annual recruitment and financial targets

· To develop and maintain a strong pipeline of prospective employers and learners, proactively identifying new apprenticeship and learning opportunities within the maritime industry. To secure repeat business with apprenticeship employers through cultivating long-term relationships.

· To work with the Director of Maritime Training and Development to devise a sales and marketing strategy to grow the apprenticeship and adult skills provision. To support the tendering process to ASF devolved areas and work with subcontractor partners.

· To collaborate with the Apprenticeship Operations Manager and Maritime Lead Trainer to convert identified leads and share industry intelligence.

· To assist the Digital Marketing Coordinator to write targeted social media posts and marketing campaigns, ensuring market visibility and lead generation. To build a library of promotional literature and good news stories.

· To maintain accurate records of business development leads and pipeline activity within the CRM system and to routinely report on these

· Attend relevant external boards, fora and industry bodies, as directed in order to promote maritime apprenticeships and training including; Maritime Skills Alliance, Workboat Association, MNTB apprenticeship committee and Port Skills and Safety

· To attend industry trade fairs and careers events to represent Marine Society. These include; National Apprenticeship Week, Seawork, International Boat Show

· To research and monitor market trends, employer needs and competitor activity to inform business development strategy

Requirements

• Minimum 2 years’ experience working in a recruitment, sales or commercial role with a proven track record of achieving financial targets
• Knowledge of the maritime sector including roles, ranks and certifications in the near coastal sector
• Excellent customer service skills with the ability to build trust and credibility with clients and stakeholders
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to identify, grow and convert new business opportunities
• Experience using CRM systems to monitor and report on business leads
• Knowledge of CPD training or workforce development

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave per annum increasing with length of service
• Hybrid working for many roles
• Life assurance (4x salary)
• Private medical insurance
• Generous pension (employer contribution up to 10%)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Wellbeing portal and EAP with 121 counselling
• Employee development: We are investing in our employees' development and have an annual calendar of learning and development opportunities, designed to support employees to develop into their roles and stretch them to achieve their full potential.

Additional Information

MSSC positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. Equity, diversity, and inclusion really matters to us, so we can best serve our beneficiaries from every community. We work to ensure a fair and consistent recruitment process and aim to be a charity where diversity of experience, identity and skills are valued and welcomed. MSSC is an equal opportunities employer.

We recognise our responsibilities to safeguard and protect the young people and vulnerable adults with whom we work. We do all we can to promote their health, safety and wellbeing, and we expect our staff to share this commitment and work in line with safeguarding policy, the MSSC’s values and ethos of inclusivity. We adhere to safer recruitment practices and therefore employment is subject to detailed pre-employment checks for successful candidates, including references and criminal disclosure checks and the completion of a disclosure questionnaire. 

All successful applicants are required to attend safeguarding training and undergo pre-employment checks including a criminal record check.

We are looking for an Assistant Financial Accountant to play a key role in supporting Purposeful Ventures’ day-to-day financial operations. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone early in their finance career who wants to build a strong foundation in accounting, whilst studying towards a professional qualification, in a supportive and purpose-driven environment. You’ll gain hands-on experience across the finance function, and Purposeful Ventures will support you to gain a Level 4 Professional Accounting Technician Apprenticeship, covering the cost of your professional study. This will allow you to complete on-the-job training, and be part of a vibrant finance team, whilst gaining your Level 4 AAT, ACCA or CIMA Diploma.

You will be at the heart of the organisation’s financial operations, gaining exposure to a wide range of finance processes including purchase ledgers, expenses, payments to banking, month-end processes and finance systems. You will also be able to support in the production of management accounts and provide information for the annual audit, helping give you a strong foundation in core finance processes

This is a role for someone who likes working with numbers and loves getting into the detail. You’ll be trusted with responsibility from day one, but you’ll also have the support and guidance you need to propel your finance career forward. You will have had some exposure to a finance function, but are now looking for a role where you can grow and be supported to gain a formal accounting qualification.

Responsibilities and duties

Purchase Ledger and expenses

• Maintain the Purchase Ledger to process, code and enter invoices for payment in line with agreed terms.
• Process all expense claims, ensuring that all the necessary supporting documents are authorised by the relevant manager.
• Oversee and initiate automated payment runs, including purchase ledger payments, examine payments and staff expenses, ensuring all pre-payment checks and authorisations are correctly captured within the system.
• Set up new suppliers and update bank details for existing suppliers.
• Resolve supplier and internal staff finance-related queries in a timely manner.
• Own the organisation’s credit card and pre-paid card process to update users, allocate funds, code payments and reconcile receipts.
• Ensure receipts are submitted within agreed timelines by encouraging the wider employee base to submit these on time.

Month end and year end

• Assist with bank reconciliations and posting daily bank transactions.
• Post journals for accruals, prepayments and other financial adjustments as directed by the Finance Manager.
• Support the preparation of monthly management accounts.
• Assist the Finance Manager with audit preparation.

Other

• Assist in managing financial administration procedures and contribute suggestions to improve efficiency and processes.
• Set up new users on multiple internal systems.
• Ensure internal systems are being used and are beneficial to staff by supporting them with queries on their use.

The job description is subject to change and the postholder may be required to undertake tasks not specifically referred to above. Such duties, however, will fall within the scope of the job description.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for someone who is ready to take the next step in their finance career and develop through a Level 4 Diploma. You’ll be eligible to enrol by having a minimum of either five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A-Level and/or BTEC qualifications or a Level 3 apprenticeship, and will be motivated to deepen your technical knowledge while gaining practical, hands-on experience.

You’ll already have some exposure to core finance responsibilities such as processing invoices, supporting expense claims, assisting with reconciliations and working with financial systems. You understand the importance of accuracy and take pride in your attention to detail and time management.

We are also looking for someone who is methodical, proactive and curious. You’re comfortable using systems and technology and are comfortable with driving improvements in both finance processes and your own skills. Most importantly, you’ll be someone who is motivated to learn and sees this role as an opportunity to develop your technical finance knowledge alongside your apprenticeship and to build a strong foundation for a long-term career in finance.

Key requirements

Essential:

• Passionate about creating a fairer society where all young people thrive.
• Demonstrable track record of taking ownership of commitments and working hard to succeed.
• Some experience within a finance function, ideally within a fast-paced, growing organisation.
• Exposure to purchase ledger, expenses, payments and banking processes.
• Comfortable working with multiple finance systems with the ability to learn new tools.
• Commitment to implementing and improving systems and processes.
• Good organisational and time management skills.
• A confident communicator with the ability to work with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• Strong attention to detail with a keenness for high levels of accuracy.
• A growth mindset who seeks opportunities to learn.
• Proactive by nature with a solution-focused approach.
• Reliable, punctual and able to work to deadlines.
• A-Level qualifications or a previously completed Level 3 Apprenticeship.
• Right to work in the UK.

Desirable:

• Familiarity with systems such as ApprovalMax, Toggl and Equals money and Xero.
• A confident user of Microsoft Excel.

Location: National Support Centre, London SE1

Contract: Part Time, Fixed term Maternity cover

Salary: £28,000 gross per annum full time equivalent

Closing Date: 1 May 2026

The Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC) is the leading maritime charity for youth development and lifelong learning. We are a vibrant and growing charity inspiring young people to achieve their potential through challenge and nautical adventure and also enabling seafarers and maritime professionals to realise their potential through learning and career development. Working with our employees, cadets, and volunteers, we have built a strong vision and five-year Future Ready strategy to meet the growing demand for what we provide, both for young people, seafarers and maritime professionals – and the thousands who aspire to be the sea cadets and marine professionals of the future. It is also about equipping them to achieve their potential and thrive in a rapidly changing world, while growing our charity to benefit even more people – including those from under-represented or marginalised groups.

We are currently looking for a Books Services Coordinator to join our team.

About the role

The purposes of the Book Services Coordinator role is to assist the Books and Library Manager in facilitating the charity’s crew’ libraries service and specialist maritime book sales and also to administer all processes and systems involved within Books and library services.

Responsibilities

The following is a list of the principal (but not exhaustive) tasks of the post holder:

a. Administration of the functions and systems involved in providing an effective and efficient exchange hardback library or recyclable paperback library service to ships and maritime installations

b. Administrating book order system, and procurement process for all merchandise necessary for the efficient functioning of the Book Services operation.

c. Updating and maintaining the Bookshop website with accurate information and prices.

d. Assisting in the management of the fulfilment of all sales of books/media to customers and external agencies (On-line bookshop, telephone, mail and “walk-in”), and ensure the maintenance of customer service standards

e. Administration of the Library and Book stock control system

Requirements

• Experience working in book buying/selling/procurement in a customer focussed environment
• Experience of using book stock control and freight systems
• Ability to work unsupervised, make decisions and take responsibility.
• Experience in handling parcel deliveries and packaging goods for shipment

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave per annum increasing with length of service
• Hybrid working for many roles
• Life assurance (4x salary)
• Private medical insurance
• Generous pension (employer contribution up to 10%)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Wellbeing portal and EAP with 121 counselling
• Employee development: We are investing in our employees' development and have an annual calendar of learning and development opportunities, designed to support employees to develop into their roles and stretch them to achieve their full potential.

Additional Information

MSSC positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. Equity, diversity, and inclusion really matters to us, so we can best serve our beneficiaries from every community. We work to ensure a fair and consistent recruitment process and aim to be a charity where diversity of experience, identity and skills are valued and welcomed. MSSC is an equal opportunities employer.

We recognise our responsibilities to safeguard and protect the young people and vulnerable adults with whom we work. We do all we can to promote their health, safety and wellbeing, and we expect our staff to share this commitment and work in line with safeguarding policy, the MSSC’s values and ethos of inclusivity. We adhere to safer recruitment practices and therefore employment is subject to detailed pre-employment checks for successful candidates, including references and criminal disclosure checks and the completion of a disclosure questionnaire. 

All successful applicants are required to attend safeguarding training and undergo pre-employment checks including a criminal record check.

Location: National Support Centre, London SE1

Contract: Full time, permanent

Salary: £40k

Closing Date: 1st May 2026

Marine Society have an exciting new role! Help us deliver and expand our core bursary and welfare services and support the needs of seafarers. You will manage our highly renowned Slater scholarship fund and other training bursaries, together with the Coming Ashore mentoring programme and careers advice and guidance resources.

You’ll be expected to have a good understanding of seafaring training and certification requirements and have experience of working in the not-for-profit sector. A background working in the maritime sector is helpful but not essential.

The Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC) is the leading maritime charity for youth development and lifelong learning. We are a vibrant and growing charity inspiring young people to achieve their potential through challenge and nautical adventure and also enabling seafarers and maritime professionals to realise their potential through learning and career development. Working with our employees, cadets, and volunteers, we have built a strong vision and five-year Future Ready strategy to meet the growing demand for what we provide, both for young people, seafarers and maritime professionals – and the thousands who aspire to be the sea cadets and marine professionals of the future. It is also about equipping them to achieve their potential and thrive in a rapidly changing world, while growing our charity to benefit even more people – including those from under-represented or marginalised groups.

We are currently looking for a Bursary and Welfare Manager to join our team.

About the role

This new role is to manage the bursary and welfare services of Marine Society. This requires an in depth understanding of seafarer’s needs and the training and certification they require to progress in their careers, both at sea and ashore. The manager will also oversee wider aspects of careers information and guidance and assisting with fundraising activity

Responsibilities

· Assess and process all bursary applications, including Slater Scholarships, Worcester, Hanway and Green Skills bursaries against clearly defined eligibility criteria

· Authorise the award of financial bursaries and approve beneficiary claims and expenses

· Maximise the use bursary funding and ensure successful outcomes for beneficiaries

· Identify new bursary funding opportunities and devise bids in collaboration with the fundraising team

· Manage the bursary and Coming Ashore programme restricted funds. Monitor and report on expenditure and activity

· Manage the operation of the Coming Ashore mentoring programme and ensure its sustainability

· Produce statistical reports and analysis pertaining to bursaries and welfare services for internal and external stakeholders.

· Put in place and maintain online and physical resources that provide seafarers with information, advice and guidance and supports maritime career development.

· To lead the annual Matrix accreditation process

· Work with the Digital Marketing Coordinator to ensure the effective marketing of bursary and welfare provision through a range of media and ensure the website remains up to date and relevant to seafarer needs.

· Represent Marine Society on external committees and forums that relate to welfare, including Merchant Navy Welfare Board and Nautilus Slater Management Committee

Requirements

• Educated to degree level or equivalent professional qualifications/experience
• In depth knowledge and understanding of the training needs of UK and international seafarers including their welfare and certification routes within the maritime sector both at sea and ashore
• Experience of working as team leader or manager in the not-for-profit sector
• Experience of preparing and presenting reports to management team and funders as required
• Ability to use social media and press effectively to inform and promote seafarer welfare and professional development.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave per annum increasing with length of service
• Hybrid working for many roles
• Life assurance (4x salary)
• Private medical insurance
• Generous pension (employer contribution up to 10%)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Wellbeing portal and EAP with 121 counselling
• Employee development: We are investing in our employees' development and have an annual calendar of learning and development opportunities, designed to support employees to develop into their roles and stretch them to achieve their full potential.

Additional Information

MSSC positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. Equity, diversity, and inclusion really matters to us, so we can best serve our beneficiaries from every community. We work to ensure a fair and consistent recruitment process and aim to be a charity where diversity of experience, identity and skills are valued and welcomed. MSSC is an equal opportunities employer.

We recognise our responsibilities to safeguard and protect the young people and vulnerable adults with whom we work. We do all we can to promote their health, safety and wellbeing, and we expect our staff to share this commitment and work in line with safeguarding policy, the MSSC’s values and ethos of inclusivity. We adhere to safer recruitment practices and therefore employment is subject to detailed pre-employment checks for successful candidates, including references and criminal disclosure checks and the completion of a disclosure questionnaire. 

All successful applicants are required to attend safeguarding training and undergo pre-employment checks including a criminal record check.