Job Description

The Marine and Coastal Access Bill, currently being considered by Parliament, seeks to establish the Marine Management Organisation (MMO): a new independent Non Departmental Public Body, as the UK Government's strategic delivery body in the marine area and its centre of marine management expertise. This will ensure effective planning and management of our seas.

The Government's vision for the MMO is that it will be a professional and proactive marine manager, trusted by all stakeholders to make a significant contribution to the sustainable development in the marine area. It will make decisions on the majority of marine developments and, where it is not the decision making body, will be a key advisor on marine issues.

The MMO will be the marine planning authority on behalf of the UK Government and its principal regulator in English territorial waters and the UK offshore area for matters that are not devolved. It will deliver functions on behalf of several Government Departments. As the Government's key marine regulator, the MMO will have an important role in contributing to the Government's objectives for nature conservation.

In addition to its new responsibilities, the MMO will take on the functions currently delivered by the Marine and Fisheries Agency (MFA) (an Executive Agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs). These include marine and fisheries enforcement, licensing and management of fishing activity under the European Common Fisheries Policy, licensing of marine activities and developments (such as wind farms, wave and tidal power, marine sand and gravel extraction) and contingency for pollution incidents. The Marine and Coastal Access Bill will provide the MMO with modernised enforcement powers and new streamlined marine licensing arrangements. It is envisaged that the MMO will come into operation on 1 April 2010 and on that date will subsume the MFA and its functions.

To facilitate preparations for the MMO, Chris Parry has been appointed as the Chair-designate of the MMO. He is working closely with the MFA to ensure that staff with the right skills are available in good time for launch of the MMO in April 2010. Recruitment for the Board of the MMO is due to start shortly.

The Chair and Board set the strategic direction of the MMO. The Chief Executive is responsible for developing and providing advice to the Board on the strategic direction and for leading the MMO in the delivery of the strategic aims.

The Chief Executive is responsible to the MMO Chair and Board for the day to day management and executive leadership and for the performance of the organisation.

Main Responsibilities

Develop plans for Board approval on how the organisation will meet its strategic aims and objectives, consistent with the Marine and Coastal Bill.
Deliver a business planning process, organisational structure and annual business plan that underpins the achievement of the MMO's purpose and strategy.
Evaluate and report to the Board on the overall performance of the organisation.
Recruit, lead, manage and motivate the senior management team and staff including the development of an organisational culture that promotes high performance and commitment.
As Accounting Officer, be responsible for propriety, regularity and value for money of MMO expenditure.
Promote and maintain effective stakeholder and partner engagement and collaboration at strategic, developmental and operational levels to support the achievement of MMO aims.
Working in conjunction with the Chair of the MMO, represent the organisation externally with stakeholders, the media and the corporate and public sector.
Assess the strategic and operational implications of proposed new business areas.
Implement an effective marketing and communications programme to raise and promote the profile of the organisation
Ensure the existence of robust management disciplines including performance management arrangements and controls
Advise the Board on the operational implications of Government policy and legislative developments in both the UK and EU

Reporting Lines

Directly report to the Chair of the MMO

Home | Rockpools