VTS Manager

Job Title: VTS Manager 

Location: Dublin Port Centre, Dublin, Ireland 

Reporting to: Deputy Harbour Master 

About Us 

Dublin Port is one of Ireland’s most essential pieces of national infrastructure, handling €165bn of trade and 1.7mn passengers annually. As Ireland's largest and busiest port, Dublin Port plays a critical role in the country's economy and international connectivity, supporting exporters and ensuring homes and businesses across Ireland have what they need for daily life. 

Overview 

The VTS Manager is responsible for the safe, compliant and efficient management of Dublin Port Company's Vessel Traffic Service (VTS), ensuring the continuous delivery of a high-quality marine traffic management service in accordance with international standards, Irish legislation and Dublin Port operational requirements. 

The role provides leadership of the VTS function, including operational management, personnel leadership, competency management, system performance, procedural governance, compliance and continuous improvement. In addition, the VTS Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operational coordination and administration of Dublin Port's Marine Pilot resource, ensuring pilot availability and readiness to support a safe, efficient and resilient pilotage service. 

Working closely with the Deputy Harbour Master, Assistant Harbour Masters, Marine Supervisor and Pilot body, the role contributes to the safe and efficient movement of vessel traffic while supporting Dublin Port's strategic growth, operational resilience and future development through to 2040. 

Why Join Us? 

• Work in an inclusive, values-driven organisation committed to diversity and sustainability. 

• Access to professional development and growth opportunities. 

• GP Refund Scheme for employees. 

• Defined Contribution Pension Scheme. 

• On site parking. 

Key Responsibilities 

VTS Operations & Service Delivery 

• Lead and oversee Dublin Port’s VTS operations, ensuring safe, efficient and continuous service delivery. 
• Act as the key escalation point for marine traffic issues and safety-critical operational decisions. 
• Maintain compliance with IALA, SOLAS, Irish legislation and Dublin Port procedures. 

People Leadership & Team Development 

• Lead, develop and support VTS personnel, promoting wellbeing, teamwork and a strong safety culture. 
• Manage performance, development, succession planning and workforce capability. 
• Support recruitment, onboarding, mentoring and effective rostering practices. 

Pilot Resource Coordination 

• Manage pilot resource planning, including rostering, leave and operational readiness. 
• Monitor pilot availability, working hours and fatigue compliance to ensure service resilience. 
• Coordinate pilot equipment, PPU programme administration, training and liaison with the Harbour Master team. 

Compliance, Training & Assurance 

• Maintain VTS procedures, competency frameworks and certification requirements in line with regulatory and industry standards. 
• Lead audits, manage corrective actions and ensure inspection readiness. 
• Oversee training, assessments, revalidation and competency development for VTS personnel. 

Systems, Safety & Incident Management 

• Act as operational lead for VTS systems, upgrades, configuration, resilience and user acceptance. 
• Ensure operational impacts, training needs and procedural changes are effectively managed. 
• Lead incident investigations and emergency response coordination, embedding lessons learned into operations. 

Performance, Improvement & Stakeholder Engagement 

• Monitor operational performance, analyse trends and develop improvements to efficiency and resilience. 
• Produce management reporting and support long-term operational planning. 
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders and represent VTS in projects, audits and planning activities. 

Qualifications and Experience 

Essential 

• Strong marine operational background, supported by Officer of the Watch (OOW) Certificate of Competency, equivalent maritime qualification, or demonstrable equivalent experience in a safety-critical marine operational environment.  
• IALA V-103/1 VTS Operator Certificate.  
• Minimum five years’ experience in VTS, port control, pilotage support, marine operations or an equivalent safety-critical operational environment. 
• Demonstrated leadership experience within a safety-critical operational environment.  
• Strong knowledge of VTS operations, marine traffic management, SOLAS, IALA standards and Irish maritime/harbour legislation. 
• Experience developing, reviewing or maintaining operational procedures. 
• Experience managing operational resources, rosters, training records or personnel. 
• Strong communication, stakeholder engagement and report-writing skills. 
• Strong analytical, decision-making and problem-solving ability. 
• High level of IT competency and ability to work with complex operational systems. 
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritise competing operational demands and make decisions within structured procedures. 
• English language competence sufficient for VTS communications, stakeholder engagement and approved VTS training. 

Desirable 

• IALA C0103-2 / V-103/2 VTS Supervisor qualification. 
• IALA C0103-4 / V-103/4 VTS On-the-Job Training Instructor qualification, or equivalent recognised instructor/assessor qualification. 
• Experience managing VTS competence, performance assessment, revalidation or training records. 
• Experience managing marine personnel rosters, fatigue controls or operational resource planning. 
• Experience coordinating pilot operations or pilot resource administration. 
• Experience managing Portable Pilot Unit systems, software licensing, inventory or lifecycle planning. 
• Experience supporting VTS system implementation, FAT, SAT, commissioning or operational acceptance. 
• Audit, quality management or safety management system experience. 
• Incident investigation, emergency management or business continuity experience. 
• Project management and budget management experience 

Working Requirements 

• Primarily a day-work management position.  
• Flexibility to respond to operational incidents outside normal working hours.  
• Participation in emergency response arrangements as required.  
• Attendance at operational exercises, audits and training activities.  
• Occasional travel for training, supplier engagement and professional development. 

Equal Opportunity Employer 

Dublin Port Company is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to creating a workplace that promotes diversity and inclusion, and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.