Job description
This is a really exciting time to join the MMO as we become an independent coastal state, embedding new repatriated functions and services with an increased focus on the protection and enhancing of the marine environment.
Senior Marine Planners lead and contribute to the development and delivery of marine plans in England. The role will include understanding and analyzing relevant evidence, including national and local policy, and integrating stakeholder views. Each Senior Marine Planner will undertake marine plan developmental work by contributing to the associated workstreams and acting on lessons learnt to support the marine planning process. Reporting to a Marine Planning Manager, the role holder will lead a theme from the economy, environment, or social groupings, and within the group lead the development and engagement for at least one sector. You will provide appropriate leadership and management to marine planners within workstreams that contribute to the marine planning programme.
You will work closely with colleagues within and outside of the MMO, engaging with a wide range of stakeholders to include industry, other sectors and members of the public, ensuring that their contributions are considered in an inclusive and appropriate manner.
The role focus will be either:
- to lead all forms of data and analysis with a focus on spatial mapping tools (GIS), data analysis, collaboration, databases and software
- to lead monitoring and evaluation of marine plans, including reporting to Parliament every 3 years on the progress of marine plans
Key knowledge, skills, experience and qualification for the role
Essential
- Role specific requirements, either:
- Experience of monitoring and evaluation approaches, e.g. policy evaluation, social research (monitoring and evaluation lead
OR
- Experience of geospatial data analysis and tools, such as geographical information systems (GIS) and databases, and managing digital systems e.g. Explore Marine Plans (data and tools lead)
- Educated to Degree Level in a relevant subject (e.g., marine, environmental, oceanography, planning) and/or relevant experience such as applied experience in marine policy, terrestrial planning policy or development management
- Good understanding of marine planning, or marine management more widely, through direct and/or applied experience
- Excellent technical and IT abilities, including the use of digital tools for analysis and data management
- Experience of working with and interpreting data, evidence, and analyzing policies covering a range of different topics
- Good stakeholder relationship and networking skills with the ability to communicate clearly (written, verbal) to specialist and non-specialist audiences, including senior colleagues and external stakeholders
- Good understanding of presenting information using digital platforms
- Ability to plan and organize work effectively, with excellent time, prioritization, project and resource management skills, to ensure successful and timely delivery of tasks and outputs
- Proven ability to work effectively both within a team and independently, and to be able to motivate self-organizing agile teams, delegate decision making to the most effective level, and empower teams to deliver to the best of their abilities
Desirable
- Experience with a range of tools for data analysis and presentation, such as databases or geographical information systems (GIS), e.g. ArcPro, Excel, PowerBI
- Experience in use of program and/or project management methodologies and tools e.g. Prince 2, Agile and/or Microsoft Project
- Experience of stakeholder engagement
- Good understanding of marine or coastal issues, preferably gained through applied experience
- Good understanding of statutory environmental assessments e.g., sustainability appraisal, habitats regulations assessment
- Well-developed analytical skills and critical thinking including to address problems/challenges
- Experience of policy analysis and development, including monitoring and evaluation, either at national or local level
- Ability to review progress and apply improvements to subsequent tasks/projects
- Ability to ensure quality of deliverables and compliance with best practice
- Able to travel and undertake overnight stays in locations when required
Salary: £40,667
Application deadline: November 16, 2025
