Purser jobs

A Purser is primarily responsible for the administrative management of a superyacht and all financial matters onboard. 

This multi-faceted, technical position is commonly found on larger yachts due to the vast array of duties and responsibilities onboard. On smaller yachts, a Chief Steward or Stewardess takes on this role instead.

What does a yacht Purser do? | Yacht Purser Job Description

Generally speaking, the Purser is in charge of ensuring everything runs smoothly in terms of administration onboard a yacht. This includes an all-encompassing variety of jobs that can be divided into finance, purchasing, contracts, crew administration, yacht administration, charter administration and guest activities.

The responsibilities of a Purser include:

• Working with management company accountants to maintain accounts, budgets and other financial reports

• Working with Heads of Departments to ensure timely processing of budgets, invoices, payments, credit card and expense reconciliations

• Assisting Heads of Departments with purchasing and provisioning

• Responsible for administration, accounting, collection and payment of all onboard money

• Responsible for all crew administration including payroll

• Ensuring all crew certification is up-to-date and correct

• Responsible for keeping up-to-date crew and passenger lists and reporting any changes

• Responsible for all crew travel and guest travel as required

• Performing Customs, Immigration and Port Clearance requirements

• Advanced planning and preparation for owner and guest trips, including on-site reconnaissance as required

• Pre-arrival destination/event/venue checks for guests, including transport options, security facilities and bookings for events, sightseeing trips and eating out

• Planning and directing events and activities for owners and guests ashore

• Assisting owner and owner’s representative out of season as required

Soft and hard skills required to be a Purser

The ideal candidate for this role has excellent administrative and organisational skills, is accurate with their work and is computer literate. 

As a role at the heart of a yacht's administration, communicating with onshore vendors, contractors, yacht owners and guests in a variety of settings, superior communication skills and diplomacy and delegation qualities are essential.

The skills of a successful yacht Purser include:

• Financial management skills

• Administration management skills

• Knowledge of maritime law

• Advanced computer skills

• Exceptional organisational skills

• Superior communications, organization, diplomacy and delegation

• Accuracy and attention to detail

• Ability to work under pressure

Mandatory certificates needed to work on board a yacht 

All crew members regardless of position and seniority need to have a valid STCW Basic Safety Training certificate, along with a recognised Seafarers medical certificate, the most popular being the ENG1 which is issued by an MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency) professional medic. 

Without these two certificates, it is not possible for crew to work on board a yacht and a Recruiter will not be able to assist you in finding work onboard a yacht. For more information about mandatory certificates please visit our Mandatory Certificates Guide.

Are you ready to secure a Purser position on board a yacht?

Become a member of YPI CREW and connect with our recruiters so they can guide you through your job search. 

Each of our recruiters is specialised in crew placement for a particular department and they will do their best to get you an interview on board a yacht. They will also advise you on how to best present your experience and skills and prepare for a yacht job interview.