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 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.