Technical Manager - Royal Yachting Association

Technical Manager – Royal Yachting Association

Posted under Engineering / Technical on July 29th, 2019

Job Description
The Royal Yachting Association, based in Hamble, near Southampton, is the national governing body for all forms of recreational, competitive and professional boating. It represents dinghy and yacht racing, motor and sail cruising, RIBs and sportsboats, windsurfing, inland cruising and personal watercraft.
The RYA is seeking to appoint a Technical Manager to lead, manage and direct the work of the Technical Team. The team consists of 4 RYA employees whose differing remits cover two main areas; (1) Technical Commercial; and (2) Technical Racing.
As the Technical Manager your responsibilities would include (but are not limited to);
• Working with the Racing Services Manager to set, deliver and report on the strategic and operational plans & budgets of the Technical Team.
• Creating strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including volunteers and committees, ensuring regular dialogue is maintained in order to promote a quality service and efficient use of time.
• Being a subject matter expert in relation to relevant legislation, rules and regulations, whether set by the MCA, World Sailing, or other bodies. Ensuring the Technical team remains compliant at all times, providing advice and support to other stakeholders where necessary.
• Working with the Racing Services Manager and other RYA staff to represent and negotiate on technical legislation, standards and other regulations at National and International level.
• Acting as the main point of contact for surveyors, owners & managing agents in the delivery of overall operations as an MCA agent for Tonnage Measurement and as a Certifying Authority for Small Commercial Vessel Certification, providing high levels of customer service.
• Support RYA National Classes, Clubs and members with advice and support on various technical issues such as class rules, measurement or handicapping.
We are looking for a candidate who has the ability to understand and interpret complex information (i.e. rules, regulations and legislation), with the ability to then be able to communicate this to others in a clear and concise way.
You should have strong customer service skills, being effective in building and maintaining strong working relationships with various stakeholders, combined with a strong commercial acumen. You should also have demonstrable experience in effectively negotiating and resolving conflict as well as experience of leading and developing a team. Current knowledge and understanding of MCA Codes of Practice for Small Commercial Vessels and/or yacht & dinghy class rules & measurement would be considered an advantage.
This role requires some travel, as well as frequent out-of-normal-working hours working, for which time off in lieu is allowed, therefore flexibility is also essential.