Lifesaving Operations Manager - RNLI Operations Room

Lifesaving Operations Manager - RNLI Operations Room - Temp (up to 24 months)

Salary: £42,479 to £47,500 (dependent on experience)
Contract type: Temporary: Fixed-Term Contract or Secondment
Hours: Full-Time
Additional information: 37 hours per week, Mon to Fri, (Apply online only)
Location: Poole, Dorset, England
Interview date: 6th or 7th August
Closing Date: 19-07-2026
Reference: 21708

About us

Our purpose is simple: to save lives at sea. 24 hours a day, every day, RNLI lifesavers are ready to launch to the rescue. They are supported by a dedicated, professional, and talented team behind the scenes. This is your chance to join that team and use your unique skills to help save lives every day.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an individual to join us in managing the RNLI Operations Room in its day-to-day delivery whilst also leading on transformation of this function. This central hub for operations and out-of-hours support for all our volunteers and staff operates 24/7/365, providing expertise, guidance and support within Lifesaving Operations, across the RNLI and externally to assist the organisation in the provision of a safe and effective delivery service.

Some of the benefits

- Salary of £42,479 to £47,500 (dependent on experience)
- 26 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays
- Competitive pension scheme
- Life assurance
- Health cash plan option
- Flexible working

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to join us in this role for up to 24 months, based at our Support Centre in Poole. The successful candidate will work with the existing Lifesaving Operations Manager to lead the day-to-day running of the RNLI Operations Room; providing effective, consistent and timely support to the lifeboat and lifeguard services. Alongside this activity, the role will play a significant part in driving transformation and improvement projects that will shape the future of the Operations Room; ensuring the service is resilient, modern, and impactful. You will provide both real-time and proactive intelligence to delivery functions to support our services and mitigation of risks to operational capability. In addition, you will work closely with teams across multiple departments to support wider organisational activity; protecting our people and assets and ensuring assistance is always accessible to all volunteers and staff.

About you

We are looking for someone who will bring a blend of operational expertise, strategic thinking, and experience delivering a centralised operational support centre or control room function (or similar). 

You will also have:

- Proven experience managing teams in a dynamic operational or service environment.
- Excellent communication skills with evidence of meeting and managing the varied expectations of a large customer base.
- Ability to manage competing priorities, workload and drive performance under pressure.
- Experience working within emergency services or maritime operations.
- Significant experience in dealing with external organisations and internal stakeholders.
- Experience developing and refining SOPs, escalation pathways, and support centre/control room standards

What will help you succeed:

- Experience supporting projects or transformation programmes.
- Knowledge of maritime SAR or lifeguard/lifeboat operations.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-demand environment.
- Ability to collaborate effectively, building trust and engagement.
- Commitment to continuous improvement and learning

As you will be managing a 24/7/365 service, you will be prepared to work flexibly to support our volunteers’ needs when required and comfortable making decisions within a framework while understanding the importance of compliance.

If this sounds like you, and you are committed to improving service delivery, can inspire other team members and act in an ambassadorial role for the RNLI when needed, apply today.

Safeguarding

The RNLI is committed to safeguarding; protecting a person’s health, wellbeing, and human rights, enabling them to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment and have a zero-tolerance approach. The suitability of all prospective employees and volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. This will include relevant criminal record checks being carried out, dependent on the eligibility of the role. (England & Wales; DBS check, Scotland; Disclosure Scotland PVG, Northern Ireland; Access NI, Republic of Ireland; Garda Vetting; International, International Child Protection Certificate process).

Diversity at the RNLI

Our staff and volunteers have been saving lives at sea without prejudice for 200 years. We respect and value diversity of background, skills and perspectives within our teams, and consider it essential to help us deliver a world-class lifesaving service. We are an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from everyone. In addition to having the skills needed for the role, we also look for applicants who share our commitment to living our RNLI values (trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable), and helping us work towards Our Vision: To save Every One.