Location: Surrey, UK.
Sector: Cruise
Candidates must have prior experience in cruise or passenger vessel technical management to be considered for this role.
Applicants must have the legal right to live and work in the UK and either reside within a commutable distance of the Weybridge office or be willing to relocate.
I am currently recruiting for an experienced Ship Manager to join a leading cruise operator's Marine Technical Operations team. This is a senior shore-based position responsible for the safe, compliant, and efficient operation of a portfolio of modern passenger vessels, acting as the key link between onboard leadership teams and shoreside departments.
Key Responsibilities:
- Take overall responsibility for the operational performance of assigned vessels, ensuring safe, compliant, and cost-effective operations.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with onboard senior management teams, providing technical and operational support as required.
- Manage vessel operating budgets, with particular focus on repair and maintenance, consumables, and hotel technical expenditure.
- Monitor vessel performance, conduct regular operational review meetings, and implement improvement plans where required.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable maritime regulations, company policies, environmental standards, and safety management systems.
- Support the planning and execution of maintenance periods, technical projects, dry docks, and fleet improvement initiatives.
- Manage warranty and guarantee claims with shipyards and equipment suppliers for assigned vessels.
- Coordinate with internal stakeholders across technical, marine, hotel, and operational departments to ensure seamless vessel operations.
- Contribute to fleet-wide projects and strategic initiatives aimed at improving efficiency, reliability, and overall vessel performance.
- Degree-qualified Naval Architect, Marine Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, or similar technical discipline.
- Minimum 5 years experience within the cruise, passenger vessel, or wider maritime industry, either with an operator, shipowner, technical management company, or classification society.
- Previous sailing experience as a Chief Engineer on cruise vessels would be highly advantageous.
- Strong understanding of vessel maintenance, operational performance management, and budget control.
- Experience managing OPEX budgets and identifying opportunities to improve operational efficiency.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with both shipboard and shoreside teams.
- A proactive and results-oriented professional with a strong focus on safety, compliance, and continuous improvement.
- Legal right to live and work in the UK.