Cadet programme support officer jobs

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.

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.

Location: MSSC NSC, 200B Lambeth Road, London, SE1 7JY (Hybrid Working)

Contract: Full time, permanent

Salary: £40,000 to £42,000 gross er annum, depending on experience

Closing Date: Monday 25 May 2026

Assessment Day at MSSC NSC: Tuesday 2 June 2026 

The Marine Society and Sea Cadets (MSSC) is a leading maritime charity in lifelong learning and personal development and is the governing charity of the Sea Cadet Corps (SCC), a civilian voluntary youth organisation engaging some 15,000 young people over 400 Sea Cadet Units, throughout the UK.  The SCC offers a wide range of youth opportunities with the same enduring objective – to give young people the best possible head start in life through nautical adventure and fun.

We are seeking a Volunteer Support & Systems Manager to lead the development and maintenance of automated workflows used within the Volunteer Support Team.  

The role is responsible for ensuring the smooth running of the Volunteer Support function including overseeing the day-to-day administration of key volunteer processes. The postholder will also line manage the Volunteer Support Officers who act as the first point of contact to volunteers in assisting with these processes and wider administration.

 About the role

The purpose of the Volunteer Support & Systems Manager is to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the Volunteer Support function by ensuring that automated workflows are well maintained and continuously improved. This includes the onboarding process for new volunteers, management of mandatory training requirements of existing volunteers and volunteer record management through processing promotions transfers and leavers. The role also provides effective line management to a team of Volunteer Support Officers, supporting them to deliver a high quality of administrative support to volunteers to assist them with these processes.

Responsibilities

• To oversee the efficient operation, maintenance and continuous improvement of all Volunteer Support automated workflows

• To develop clear and effective guidance, to help volunteers access and use the various Volunteer Support digital systems  
• To line manage and support the Volunteer Support Team based at the MSSC Support Centre, empowering the team to deliver effective and consistent  support to volunteers.

• To functionally manage and support the Area Volunteer Support Team based across the 6 Area Offices, empowering them to deliver effective and consistent support to volunteers.

• To manage the “Safer Recruitment” and adverse disclosure process for volunteers, in line with MSSC policy, ensuring that criminal records checks are dealt with in a timely and appropriate manner

• To work with the Head of Volunteering to review MSSC volunteering policies, monitoring their appropriateness and effectiveness, making recommendations for changes as necessary

• To support the Head of Volunteering with the successful implementation of MSSC’s volunteer strategy and other national tasks

• To work with Volunteer Support Officers to develop systems and processes for managing the Volunteer Support workload and monitoring delivery standards

• To work closely with other stakeholders, maintaining excellent working relationships across departments to ensure consistency and best practice for our volunteers.

Requirements

• Experience of leading the development and maintenance of digital volunteer management/ communication systems
• Experience of creating and maintaining complex automated workflows
• Experience of overseeing the administrative functions of a CRM system
• Experience of implementing, managing reviewing and refining administrative processes
• Experience of delivering a first-class service to clients or customers
• A strong understanding of the voluntary and community sector, ideally within the youth  sector
• Experience of managing or supervising a large team

Desirable 

• Experience of managing or supervising a team based remotely
• Experience of using Microsoft Forms and Power Automate or similar systems
• Experience of managing an onboarding process, ideally of volunteers, with the understanding of the importance of safer recruitment
• Experience of empowering a team to deliver a first-class customer service
• Experience of working with volunteers and the knowledge of how to ensure they are supported
• Experience in managing challenging emails, calls and situations with volunteers professionally, using sound judgement and clear communication
• Experience developing processes which are targeted at both internal and external audiences
• Experience of leading projects manging change with various stakeholders

For further information, please download the . If you are interested in this role, please apply now!

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave per annum, increasing with length of service
• Hybrid working for many roles
• Volunteering Leave
• Life assurance (4x salary)
• Private medical insurance
• Generous pension (employer contribution up to 10%)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to the Marine Society Digital Library
• 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.