Location: Hamburg, Germany or South of France
Overview On behalf of an established yacht management company, we are seeking a Yacht Compliance Manager to oversee fleet-wide compliance and act as Designated Person Ashore (DPA).
This role is responsible for ensuring full regulatory compliance across the yacht fleet and supporting vessels and shore teams with all safety management and compliance matters.
Role Summary The Yacht Compliance Manager will act as DPA for the fleet, overseeing the Safety Management System (SMS) and ensuring compliance with international maritime regulations. The position is office-based in Hamburg or the South of France and reports into senior operational management.
All candidates must have the right to live and work in the EU.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as DPA and Compliance Manager for the entire yacht fleet
- Oversee ISM administration and all compliance-related activities
- Develop, implement, and maintain the Safety Management System and operational manuals
- Serve as the primary compliance contact for vessels
- Liaise with Flag States, Classification Societies, and external stakeholders
- Plan, prepare, and lead audits and inspections
- Ensure effective implementation of safety and compliance procedures
- Support yacht managers and crewing teams on compliance matters
- Lead and coordinate the Emergency Response Team
- Oversee wider compliance topics, including cybersecurity, with group support
- Assist with ad hoc operational requirements
- Senior sea-going experience (yacht or passenger vessel) or shore-based yacht/ship management experience
- 5–10 years’ relevant industry experience
- Strong knowledge of ISM/ISPS, SOLAS, MLC, and STCW
- Proven auditing and surveying experience
- In-depth understanding of MLC and crew-related legal matters
- Strong organisational and IT skills
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities
- Ability to work autonomously in high-pressure, multicultural environments
- Fluent English; additional languages advantageous (particularly French or Italian)