Director Ports and Harbours

Be the energy behind change. Join ABL Group.

ABL Group is a leading global independent energy and marine consultancy, working across energy and oceans to de-risk and drive the energy transition. We operate in the renewables, maritime, and oil and gas sectors, offering the deepest pool of expertise across marine and engineering disciplines in more than 300 locations worldwide.

We are seeking an experienced Director – Ports and Harbours to lead and expand our consultancy services within the maritime sector. This senior leadership role carries responsibility for strategic direction, team management, business development, and project delivery across the Ports and Harbours business line.

What will you be doing?

• Lead and manage a high-performing team, ensuring operational excellence and supporting career development.
• Drive business growth across the region in alignment with ABL’s strategic objectives.
• Oversee sales and marketing initiatives in collaboration with Directors and Country Managers.
• Identify and develop new business opportunities and client relationships.
• Provide director-level oversight on a wide range of consultancy projects.
• Support legal and P&I case handling as required.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, HSEQ policies, and international regulations.
• Champion QHSE initiatives and uphold high standards across all operations.
• Contribute to budgeting, pricing, and proposal development.
• Represent the business at industry events and client meetings to enhance visibility and market presence.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to align service delivery with client expectations and market trends.
• Serve as a subject matter expert or project director on key technical assignments.
• Promote a “One Team” culture through cross-functional collaboration and shared best practices.

What are we looking for?

We are seeking a Chartered Engineer, Master Mariner (STCW II/2), or Chief Engineer (STCW III/2) with a strong background in marine consultancy and a proven track record in leadership roles.

 More specifically, we are looking for the following:

Essential:

• 10–15 years of relevant industry experience.
• Demonstrated success in project delivery and business development.
• Strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Fluent in English with excellent technical reporting capabilities.

 Desirable:

• Marine-related degree or diploma in Marine Surveying.
• Previous experience in a similar leadership role.
• Established industry reputation and client network.
• Experience in public speaking and industry presentations.
• Ongoing book of work and extensive client base.

Personal Attributes:

• Forward-thinking and commercially astute.
• High ethical standards and a professional image.
• Self-directed, well-organised, and a collaborative team player.
• Pragmatic, proactive, and insightful in leadership.

Further Information:

• This position is based in our London office.
• The role requires flexibility to travel and work across time zones as needed.

For your application to be considered, please submit it via the link provided on this page.

You can learn more about our team and what we do here: https://abl-group.com/

At ABL Group, we are committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to thrive, regardless of background, identity, or role. As a global company, we believe that diversity drives innovation and inclusion strengthens our teams.

We support flexible working, accessible environments, and employee wellbeing. Even if your experience doesn’t match every requirement, we encourage you to apply—your unique perspective could be just what we need.