Skip to main content

Working at Dart Harbour

Scroll to the bottom for current vacancies.

Do you have what it takes to help manage one of the world’s most beautiful estuaries?

We are a small and close knit team, with a big job.  We need to look after the thousands of vessels – from paddleboards to cruise ships – that use our harbour, delivering great customer service whilst keeping everyone safe.  Just as importantly, we have around 12 miles of estuary to take care of, from the weir at Totnes all the way to the sea at Dartmouth, meandering through the heart of the South Devon National Landscape.  As a trust port, we do this for the benefit of our stakeholders and future generations – all of our income is reinvested in running, conserving and improving the harbour.

To do this, we have a team of around 20 permanent staff, along with yacht taxi drivers.  All of us are passionate about what we do and eager to get involved in the wide range of tasks that come our way.  Dart Harbour are committed to looking after and developing our staff – we offer a good package including a generous defined contribution pension and private healthcare benefits to our permanent staff, but more importantly provide training and coaching to give a great career.  As a small team, we are good at looking after each other – teamwork is one of our core values, and we make sure to have fun along the way.

We have a number of groups of staff

The river team have a role that changes with the seasons.  In the summer they patrol the river, assisting visitors and long term customers alike.  In the winter they switch to overalls, and maintain the moorings and other infrastructure.  This is a mainly outdoors job – our fleet of vessels from patrol ribs to our impressive workbarge Hercules are their home, as well as our well equipped maintenance facility at Hoodown.

Our office team support the operation, looking after everything from finance to communications from the stunningly located office in the heart of Dartmouth.  Being the first point of contact for customers, friendliness and great service is key to what they do.

Our fleet of four yacht taxis are skippered by our team of yacht taxi drivers, many of whom believe they have the best job in the world – manoeuvring these handy little craft and taking happy customers out to their yachts.

Our teams are supported by the Harbour Master, Assistant Harbour Masters, Head of Commecial & Environment and Office & Account Manager.  These are more hands on than most management roles, getting stuck in to whatever is going on, rather than stuck in the inbox!  The management team are guided by the board – eight volunteer members who, along with the Harbour Master, are the Duty Holders – responsible for everything that goes on in the harbour.

As you might expect, our seven day operation means that many roles have an element of weekend and/or evening working from time to time.

Dart Harbour are proud to be an equal opportunities employer – with a diverse team and recruitment and promotion based entirely on merit.

Current Vacancies

Board Member – Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee (ARC)

Date posted: 10.04.2026
Applications close: 05.05.2026

Non-Executive Directors

Dart Harbour (Dart Harbour & Navigation Authority) is seeking to appoint a Volunteer Board Member with senior commercial and financial experience to take over as Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee (ARC). This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in and add value to a significant natural and commercial asset at a critical point in our development when the present incumbent retires at the end of this year.

About Dart Harbour

Set within the South Devon National Landscape, Dart Harbour is responsible for managing, protecting and enhancing the lower reaches of the river Dart from its estuary entrance to the town of Totnes some 8 miles of river in total.
As a Trust Port we are responsible for safety, conservation and development. We are answerable to the many stakeholders whose livelihoods and enjoyment depend upon a well-run port and river. Our activities include maintaining the navigational aids, pilotage and moorings operations as well as supporting conservation and community development projects connected with the harbour.
Our Trust status means that we are self-funding with all surplus funds retained to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Port or reinvested into projects that serve to improve the facilities of users of the river and the natural environment within which the River Dart exists.
This is a pivotal time for Dart Harbour as we rise to the challenge to meet the needs of all our stakeholders. Please see our web site for our strategic plan and latest accounts https://www.dartharbour.org

About The Board and ARC

The Board is comprised of a dynamic, diverse group of people on the same public-minded mission, looking to make a difference. As a full Board member you would be part of this team and would have an interesting and rewarding experience helping the Harbour and the wider Dart River area to thrive.
The Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) is a standing sub-committee of the Board and covers the full range of financial responsibilities such as overseeing external audit, financial reporting, risk management, budgeting oversight, capex and asset management.
More generally the ARC seeks to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the Authority and oversees the pension scheme from the employer’s responsibility perspective. Dart Harbour is typically cash-positive, generates a healthy gross margin, regularly makes Capex investments, maintains healthy reserves and has borrowing capacity (as yet unused).


About You

The ideal candidates will have:
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to build trusted, collegiate relationships with the Board and Executive team and provide constructive challenge that supports the Harbourmaster/CEO and their team.
• They will think strategically, set clear direction and communicate with clarity and authority to influence a broad range of stakeholders.
• They will bring experience in financial performance management, finance, and assessment of commercial opportunities understanding how these fit into the organisation’s strategic and long-term investment plans.
• They will bring accounting and audit knowledge (although not necessarily a qualified accountant), along with requisite experience and a strong track record of continual financial improvement.
• They should be a team player, work well within a multi-disciplinary Board, be able to communicate financial issues in a readily understandable manner and be comfortable with the respective distinction between the role of the Board and the senior management team.

Our Meetings

The Board holds 8 formal meetings per year and these are supplemented by a small number of stakeholder engagement activities including an Annual Public Meeting at which attendance is normally expected.
Board meetings are held in person during weekday afternoons or evenings, although facilities are available for occasional virtual attendance when necessary. The ARC meets virtually 4 times per year.
There are other opportunities to improve your knowledge of the organisation through attending stakeholder engagement meetings, occasionally on the river or, on a one-to-one basis with the Harbour Master and the Senior Management Team. Greater value and understanding will come more quickly through attending in person and is encouraged, hence proximity to Dartmouth will be a factor.

How To Apply

Please submit a CV and covering letter/email to the Clerk to the Board, William Lewis, [email protected]. Please feel free to request an informal conversation prior to applying.
• Closing date for applications: 9am, 5th May 2026
• Job type: Board Member – Independent Non-Executive Director (INED).
• Term: 3 years; extendable for another 3-year term by agreement.
• The position is unremunerated. Reasonable (travel) expenses are reimbursable.

In addition to complying with all current UK Employment Legislation, Dart Harbour applies established good practice in equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion in order to gain the benefits of building a diverse workforce. All applicants will be treated in a fair and consistent manner and in particular to avoid any form of discrimination.

Share