Non-Executive Commissioner (Stakeholder Engagement) - Cowes Harbour Commission
Job Posted: 12 January 2026
- Contract Term: Sessional
- Location: Cowes, Isle of Wight
- Contract Type: Part time
- Salary: Voluntary
- Industries: Charity / Voluntary Management & Executive
Job Start Date: 13 March 2026
Cowes Harbour Commission is seeking a committed, strategically minded individual to join our Board as a Non-Executive Commissioner, with a primary focus on stakeholder engagement. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of one of the UK’s most historic and vibrant harbours, supporting its growth, governance, and strong community relationships.
About the Role
- As a Non-Executive Commissioner, you will:
- Lead on strengthening engagement with a wide range of harbour stakeholders, including commercial operators, leisure users, and community groups.
- Provide constructive challenge and independent oversight during Board discussions and decision-making.
- Support the development of CHC’s long-term strategy by ensuring stakeholder perspectives are understood and reflected.
- Promote open communication, transparency, and collaboration across the harbour community.
- Participate actively in approximately eight Board meetings per year.
Ideal Candidate Profile
- We welcome applications from individuals who can demonstrate:
- Strong experience or interest in stakeholder engagement, partnership development, or community liaison.
- Knowledge or experience of the commercial and/or leisure industries operating within the harbour would be advantageous but not essential.
- Excellent communication, diplomacy, and relationship-building skills.
- The ability to think strategically, provide independent judgment, and contribute positively to Board governance.
- A commitment to the values of public service, sustainability, and the long-term interests of Cowes Harbour.
What We Offer
- An influential and rewarding voluntary role contributing to the stewardship of a key local asset.
- The chance to collaborate with a motivated and diverse Board of Commissioners.
- Opportunities to shape policy, drive positive change, and strengthen the harbour’s dialogue with its users and community.
How to Apply
Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and what you would bring to the role to [email protected].
For further information about the Cowes Harbour Commission, please visit: https://www.cowes.co.uk/about-us/jobs/
Application Deadline: 07 February 2026
Join us in supporting Cowes Harbour’s future and ensuring its users and community remain at the heart of its development.
Cowes Harbour Commission
Cowes is one of the most visited ports on the south coast of England and provides excellent boating facilities and services in the harbour and on the River Medina through the many boatyards, marinas, and marine services operators. Home to Red Funnel's regular vehicle ferry and freight ferry services operating between East Cowes and Southampton, as well as their high-speed passenger ferries. It is also the major port of entry for commercial shipping trading to the Isle of Wight and one of the busiest leisure ports in the UK -a foremost centre for yacht racing, a popular cruising destination, easily accessible for all types of vessel, and therefore a magnet for visiting tall ships and private yachts. Cowes Harbour is a Trust Port, which means it has no shareholders or other owners, but is managed for the benefit of its users, or ‘stakeholders’ and is run by a Commission of 10 Harbour Commissioners who give their time on a voluntary basis. Cowes Harbour Commission’s main function is to be the Statutory Harbour Authority for Cowes and to undertake commercial activities, so that it can be self-financing. A publicly accountable body, the Commission strives to ensure that it maintains proper standards of safety, transparency, accountability, integrity and honesty and to support and encourage the local economy.
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