Passenger Operations Manager

Job Description and Activities

UK ports and harbours that handle a high volume of passengers often employ a Passenger Operations Manager to deal exclusively with passenger transfers. The Passenger Operations Manager would normally have responsibility for:

• Managing passenger activity – passengers boarding or departing vessels often need to pass through security, immigration and customs checks. They may also need to pass through working port areas. The passenger operations manager would assess predicted passenger levels and ensure effective control of passenger flow. The passenger operations manager would have overall responsibility for the passenger terminal and associated areas. They would plan, assign and review the work of passenger operatives and supervisors. They brief the supervisor, who then supervises the work of the operatives.
• Managing safety – it is normally the responsibility of the Passenger Operations Manager to ensure that passenger terminal safety is maintained; that all working and passenger areas are safe and that their operatives are fully trained to do their job efficiently and safely.
• Managing staff – the Passenger Operations Manager makes recommendations regarding the recruitment, discipline and promotion of employees; authorises leave and overtime; advises employees subordinates on job related problems; evaluates and rates employee performance.
• Liaising with customers and other port users – the Passenger Operations Manager will regularly deal with the port manager, and their counterpart the port operations manager. They are also likely to liaise with other port staff, and with other users such as freight customers, shipping agents, HM Customs, Immigration, Harbour Authority and ships’ agents.

The Working Environment

The Passenger Operations Manager would normally work Monday to Friday during the daytime but is often on call to attend to any problems or emergencies. They would work from an office but spend time on the port and attend meetings. There are more males than females currently employed within the industry, but this is changing.

Salary

Earnings for Passenger Operations Managers can vary greatly due to the different types and sizes of ports and harbours around the UK. As a guide, Passenger Operations Managers earn in the region of £45,000, which can rise to as much as £70,000 with experience.

Entry Requirements

A Passenger Operations Manager would generally come from a background as a supervisor of passenger operations. The qualifications expected of a Passenger Operations Manager can include a diploma in Port Management. A Foundation Degree is in development which will offer a pathway in port management.

Career Development

Passenger Operations Managers can progress to becoming port managers, overseeing the day to day workings of one or more ports. Relevant experience is considered more important for this progress than qualifications, and some ports offer training schemes. A degree or HND is a suitable qualification, particularly in Logistics, Marine Sciences or Business Management.