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Boatman - to Balliol, Magdalen and New Colleges

Location: Balliol College

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 20 November 2026

Salary: Grade 4 - £27,865 to £31,879 (with a discretionary range to £34,802)

Specific Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Boatman - to Balliol, Magdalen and New Colleges

Salary: Grade 4 (£27,865 to £31,879 with a discretionary range to £34,802)
Contract Type: Full-time, permanent 
Reports to: Domestic Bursar
Location: Balliol College, Broad Street, Oxford
Hours: 37.5 per week

Purpose 
To provide effective management, maintenance and operational support for the boats, equipment and boathouse facilities of Balliol, Magdalen and New Colleges. The Boatman is responsible for ensuring that facilities are safe, secure and well-maintained, supporting the day-to-day activities of the college boat clubs and contributing to a positive and successful rowing environment for students, coaches and college stakeholders.

Responsible to: The Domestic Bursar of Balliol College as lead employer for the three colleges, and for the performance of duties for Balliol. The Home Bursars of Magdalen and New Colleges for the performance of duties for their colleges.

The role
Boat Work

  • Carrying out minor repairs, rigging, and maintenance for craft and related equipment owned by the colleges.
  • Painting and decorating of oars and sculls in the respective club colours.
  • Organising major repairs with approved boat repairers after consultation with the relevant Bursar and/or Senior Member.

Maintaining the building

  • Supervision of all areas of the Boathouses including the cleaning of the kitchen, gym, changing rooms, showers, and toilet areas, workshop, and boat areas in accordance with the cleaning schedule.
  • Responsibility for health, hygiene and safety issues relating to the Boathouses and boat clubs; ensuring the boathouses are compliant regarding Health and Safety in coordinating with the respective Bursars.
  • The maintenance of security of the buildings.
  • In conjunction with the relevant Bursars, organise quotes from contractors for agreed works
  • Be proactive in reducing and recycling waste at the boathouses with particular attention to the Torpids and Summer Eights events.  
  • Maintaining the lawns around the Boathouses.
  • Cleaning outside dock areas and equipment.
  • Arranging annual service of launches.
  • Monthly visits to other local rowing bases used by the clubs to check for repairs, H&S etc., or as required.

Student support

  • Demonstrating rigging principles to students.
  • Safe transportation of racing boats to regattas and training camps, either by the Boatman or others arranged by the Boatman.  
  • Maintenance of the boat trailers.  
  • Pushing off crews for Torpids and Eights.
  • Assisting with Torpids and Eights set up at the Boathouses.

Punting and leisure craft

  • Maintenance and management of the punts and other leisure craft.
  • Maintaining clean and secure Punt stores.

Gyms

  • Servicing of the Ergometer rowing machines for the Boat Clubs.
  • Maintaining log of service and repair.

Health and Safety specific requirements

  • Liaison with the H&S Auditor for each college for the annual inspection and as required at other times.
  • Liaising with the Clerk of Works/ Maintenance Foreman of each college to ensure that the following are up to date:
    • PAT testing and records
    • Ladder inspections and records
    • Water safety testing and records
    • Fire extinguisher servicing and maintenance and records
    • Emergency Lighting basic tests and records
    • Utility meter readings
    • Checking and maintenance of life jackets

The above is not an exhaustive list of duties and you will be expected to perform different tasks commensurate with the role and the objectives of the respective Boat Clubs.

OTHER NOTES:

i) You have a duty to comply with Health & Safety Regulations, including COSHH and correct use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) at all times.

ii) To play your part in providing a good working environment promoting a positive attitude and pride in your work.

Relationships

The Senior Members of the respective Boat Clubs of the three colleges, and their Captains of Boats, and any employed coaches.

Person specification

Essential

  • Experience in maintenance, repairs or facilities management, ideally in a boating, sporting or similar environment.
  • Understanding of health and safety requirements and safe working practices.
  • Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a varied workload across multiple sites.
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with students, coaches, contractors and College staff.
  • Proactive, reliable and able to work independently.
  • Full UK driving licence.
  • Experience of rowing boats, boating equipment or watersports facilities.
  • Knowledge of rowing boat rigging, maintenance and repair.
  • Experience of towing trailers and transporting boats.

Desirable

  • First Aid, Health & Safety or other relevant qualifications.
  • Knowledge of the Oxford collegiate rowing environment and events such as Torpids and Summer Eights

Further Particulars

Hours and location: The position is offered on a full-time basis (37.5 hours per week, with flexibility to work longer hours during specific periods, and also Bank Holidays if necessary, for which time in lieu can be taken). Normal hours of work will be during office hours (Monday to Friday 8.00am to 4.30pm, with an hour for lunch). However, work outside these normal hours, including weekend work, may be required at busy times. Working hours will be mutually agreed between the post-holder and line manager. 

Salary: Grade 4 £27,865 to £31,879 (with a discretionary range to £34,802)

Holiday:  The postholder will receive paid leave entitlement of 30 working days (in addition to Bank Holidays) during a complete holiday year, five of which are taken around Christmas and New Year.  The College reserves the right to require staff to work on Bank Holidays during full term, receiving a day in lieu.   

Probation: There will be a four-month probationary period during which either party may terminate the appointment by giving one month’s written notice.  On successful completion of probation, the notice period will increase to three months on either side.

Pension:  The post-holder Oxford University Staff Pension Scheme (OSPS).  This is a contributory pension scheme, with contributions from both the employee and the College.  Further details are available here. 


Employee Benefits

Staff meals: a free two-course lunch is available in the Hall, when the kitchens are open.
  
Travel: benefits include interest-free loans enabling the purchase of bus passes, rail season tickets to Oxford, and discounted bicycles and accessories.

Healthcare: benefits include free eye tests, free flu jabs, free use of the College’s onsite gym and the University swimming pool, and preferential rates for other University sports facilities.

University Club: staff are eligible for free membership of the University Club, which offers food, drink and accommodation in an exclusive space for staff, postgraduates and alumni.

Learning and personal development: resources are available from the University in addition to training organised by the College. 

Visitor access: staff benefit from free visitor access to the 45 colleges and halls of the University and the University’s Libraries, Botanic Gardens, Arboretum and Museums.

Employee discounts: available at local and national retailers and online services using exclusive discount codes for University staff and with a TOTUM (formerly NUS) card.


Application Procedure

  • Informal enquiries:  Candidates wishing to have an initial conversation about the role should in the first instance contact Keeley Mortimer, Acting Domestic Bursar (Balliol) - domestic.bursar@balliol.ox.ac.uk - to arrange a confidential discussion.
  • Written applications:  Applications should be made by 12 noon on Friday, 20 November 2026 online at https://www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/careers.
  • Interviews: Candidates selected for interview will be notified as soon as possible following the application deadline.  
  • Right to Work: Shortlisted candidates will be expected to supply original documentation proving that they have the right to work in the United Kingdom (UK).  
  • Equal Opportunities: Balliol College is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants are asked to complete a separate confidential Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form to help us fulfil our duties in this regard. Applicants are encouraged to ask if they require reasonable adjustments for any part of the recruitment process.  
  • Data Protection: Personal data is processed in accordance with Balliol College’s Privacy Policy which is available at https://www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/privacy-policy
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