25/09/2026
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER → CEO
📍 Hampshire, UK
💰 £110,000 – £130,000 + Executive Bonus
💼 OTE circa £130,000 – £160,000
A rare opportunity to join the leadership of a highly specialist UK technology business — with a defined pathway to CEO.
We are exclusively retained to identify an exceptional senior leader for an established, innovation-led business operating at the forefront of marine technology, autonomous systems, vessel control and advanced engineering.
This is far more than a conventional COO appointment.
The successful individual will work directly alongside the current CEO, taking a pivotal role in shaping the next phase of the business, with the intention of progressing into the CEO position within approximately two years — potentially sooner for an exceptional candidate.
The company combines outstanding technical capability, established intellectual property and a highly accomplished engineering team. With these foundations firmly in place, the next chapter will centre on commercial growth, strategic expansion and scale.
The mandate will encompass:
• Commercial strategy and profitable growth
• P&L ownership and financial performance
• Business development and strategic customer relationships
• Partnerships and new market opportunities
• Product commercialisation and R&D direction
• Pricing, proposition and commercial models
• Leadership of high-calibre technical teams
• Organisational development and scale
• Long-term business strategy and value creation
We are seeking a commercially accomplished senior executive with a proven record of leading growth within a technology-driven, engineering-led or technically sophisticated B2B organisation.
Marine experience would be advantageous, but is not essential.
We are particularly interested in senior leaders from sectors such as autonomy, robotics, defence, aerospace, electronics, subsea technology, automation, software/hardware and specialist engineering.
This opportunity may suit an established COO, Managing Director, Commercial Director, Business Unit Director or General Manager who has successfully delivered profitable growth and is ready for a broader executive mandate — and, ultimately, the opportunity to lead a specialist technology business as CEO.
For the right individual, this is an opportunity to influence not only the next stage of growth, but the future direction of the company itself.
📩 For a confidential discussion, contact:
[email protected]
View the full opportunity:
https://jobsinmaritime.com/job/chief-operating-officer-coo/
Applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK.
Chief Operating Officer (COO) CEO Succession Opportunity Location: Hampshire, UK Salary: £110,000 – £130,000 + Bonus On-Target Earnings: Circa £130,000 – £160,000 Position: Executive Leadership / Board-Level Appointment Progression: Intended progression to Chief Executive Officer within appr...