Lead Shipwright (Heritage Carpenter), HMS Victory

Lead Shipwright (Heritage Carpenter), HMS Victory

Salary (grade 6): £39,156 - £40,463 per annum (dependent of experience)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Portsmouth


The National Museum’s vision is to be the world’s most inspiring Naval Museum: inspiring learning, enjoyment, and engagement with the story of the Royal Navy and its impact in shaping the modern world.

We are recruiting for full-time Lead Shipwrights to join the team working on HMS Victory, as part of the Heritage and Strategic Programmes Directorate. The Lead Shipwrights will be joining the team at an exciting stage in the progress of the conservation of HMS Victory, as we continue on a ten-year programme of works to stabilise and preserve the ship.

The work involves management of the Victory’s Shipwright Team to deliver the work to repair Victory’s hull, including replacement of all external planking, from waterline to sheer strake. You will be a senior member of the project team developing and delivering the plan for conservation of the ship. You will bring your skills from similar timber ship and heritage conservation projects and apply them to Victory’s conservation.

Teamwork and communication skills are key aspects of this role to ensure that best practice is applied to all our work.

Key Opportunities

Opportunity to lead the team of shipwrights in their works on HMS Victory, which are critical to the future preservation of the ship.

Be a key member of the team working to improve and develop the conservation approach to HMS Victory, taking responsibility for ensuring the quality of timber required for shipwright works is met.

Work closely with colleagues in the Conservation team and within Museum Operations, providing advice and/or practical assistance as appropriate.

Opportunity to be part of the team working on the conservation of our internationally important collection of historic ships, with a focus on HMS Victory.

Knowledge/Experience

You will have:

Specialist knowledge of the construction, conservation and maintenance of timber historic ships or built heritage. You will have knowledge of the technical properties of timber as relevant to ship building or the construction and repair of timber framed historic buildings.

Experience of leading a team in timber ship conservation or conservation carpenters.

Experience in the production and use of project documentation.

Knowledge of Health and Safety requirements and Construction (Design and Management) Regulations.

Experience of writing RAMS.

Good knowledge of Microsoft Office computer programs.

Knowledge of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) (desirable, not essential).

Experience of leading, managing and motivating staff.

A positive attitude and ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team.

We Provide:

The opportunity to be part of a friendly and diverse workplace within a unique heritage environment.

Group pension plan with Royal London (6% employer contributions, 2% employee contributions and death in service benefit).

Free onsite parking on receipt of a Car Pass.

25 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays), increasing to 30 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays) after 5 years’ service.

Occupational sick pay.

Enhanced maternity/adoption and paternity pay.

Flexible working.

Employee Assistance Programme.

Free admission to other national museums and attractions within the reciprocal agreement.

Discounts at our shops and cafes.

Free and discounted tickets for family and friends.

This post requires a DBS check as a requirement of working on a naval base.

This role has the opportunity for VISA sponsored.

For further details, or an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact Leonardo Bortolami, Master Shipwright, at [email protected]

Applicants are asked to apply via https://jobs.nmrn.org.uk/ no later than midnight, Friday 13th December 2024.

If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to the application process because of a disability, please contact the HR team on [email protected] for support.

Museum Website: https://jobs.nmrn.org.uk/