Case Study: Head of Marine Operations – Permanent Recruitment for Offshore Marine Projects
Job title of Permanent Recruitment: Head of Marine Operations
Recruitment Type: Permanent Recruitment
Business Type: Offshore Vessel Operator
Location: Malaysia / Singapore
Key Stakeholders: Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Executive Director and Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP)
Faststream Recruitment Representative:Jon Tay, Principal Recruitment Consultant - Faststream Recruitment, Asia-Pacific
A long-standing Faststream client in the offshore marine sector had been working with us on multiple ongoing vacancies. During our collaboration, they shared several senior leadership roles on their hiring "wishlist", including a critical new position: Head of Marine Operations.
The client operates a diverse fleet of offshore vessels, including semi-submersibles, diving support vessels, and anchor handling tug supply vessels. Their projects span subsea inspection, construction, maintenance, repair, and the emerging field of floating wind installation. To support their growing portfolio, they needed an experienced leader with a strong offshore background and the ability to lead multicultural, regional teams.
The Challenge
This was a newly created position with a complex mix of technical, leadership, and cultural requirements. The ideal candidate needed to have:
Proven experience leading offshore marine projects at scale
Senior leadership credentials within the sector
The right personality and mindset to fit the company’s culture
In addition, there were logistical and structural challenges to navigate, including the role’s location and the compensation package for a candidate who was not already based in Singapore.
Our Solution
Our relationship with the client meant we had a deep understanding of their business, leadership structure, and long-term goals. While supporting other searches, we came across a senior profile that matched closely with their wishlist, an experienced offshore leader with strong regional credentials.
Before formally progressing, we had exploratory conversations with the candidate to introduce the opportunity and gauge interest. With the candidate’s consent, we facilitated an initial discussion with the client, which proved to be a strong match.
From there, we worked closely with the client’s HR Business Partner to manage a multi-stage process involving key decision-makers, including the CEO and Executive Director.
Throughout the search, we helped overcome several hurdles:
The role was originally based in Singapore, but we facilitated a temporary arrangement for the candidate to be based in Malaysia, with plans to relocate to Singapore in 2026.
As it was a new headcount, we supported back-and-forth negotiations to finalise a mutually agreeable offer.
The Result
The process took five months due to the seniority of the position and notice periods, from initial discussions to candidate onboarding.
Key outcomes included:
Successful placement of a Head of Marine Operations aligned to both technical and leadership needs
Customised relocation and contract solution to suit both the candidate and the client’s long-term plans
Proactive talent matching that turned a float into a successful strategic hire
This case study demonstrates Faststream’s ability to identify and secure senior leadership talent, even for newly created roles with complex requirements. By combining deep industry knowledge with a proactive, relationship-led approach, we help our clients build strong leadership teams ready to navigate the future of offshore marine operations.
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