Chief of Staff (AVP, Maritime Strategy & Operations) to the Chief Maritime Officer

Carnival UK; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 200,000 +; Full time

Job summary

A leading cruise company in Southampton seeks a Chief of Staff to partner with the Chief Maritime Officer. This high-impact role requires navigating complexity in maritime operations and supporting executive decisions. Ideal candidates will have a background in engineering or consulting and exhibit strong leadership and communication skills. You'll drive initiatives that ensure safety, sustainability, and operational excellence, while enjoying competitive compensation and benefits.

Benefits

Employee Discounted Cruising

25% Annual bonus

Equity in Carnival UK

Minimum 25 days leave

Private medical and dental insurance

Life Assurance

Qualifications

• Experience in a high-pressure, complex environment.
• Ability to influence without authority.
• Proven skills in clear, concise communication.

Responsibilities

• Support decision-making across global brands.
• Ensure communication between maritime teams.
• Drive transformation in maritime operations.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Strategic thinking

Problem solving

Relationship building

Education

Background in Industrial Engineering or consulting

Job description

At Carnival Corporation, we bring the world’s most extraordinary vacations to life. With a global fleet sailing to hundreds of destinations, we are driven by a passion for safe operations, environmental stewardship, and unforgettable guest experiences. Behind every voyage is a dedicated team charting the course—and our maritime organisation is at the heart of that mission.

About the Role

We’re looking for an exceptional Chief of Staff to partner with our Chief Maritime Officer and help lead one of the most complex maritime organisations in the world. This is a role for someone who thrives on challenge, navigates complexity with confidence, and brings the discipline, judgment, and leadership expected of a best‑in‑class Chief of Staff.

This is not a role for the faint‑hearted. You’ll be supporting high‑stakes decision‑making, coordinating across global brands and ship operations, and ensuring that our commitment to safety, sustainability, and operational excellence is advanced every single day. If you operate at your best when expectations are high and the pace is fast, you’ll feel right at home here.

What You’ll Do

Drive Clarity, Focus, and Follow‑Through

• Work side by side with the CMO to align on priorities and ensure critical maritime initiatives land with impact.
• Anticipate needs, remove obstacles, and create structure in a dynamic, matrixed environment.

Lead with Insight and Precision

• Prepare executive briefings, analyses, and presentations that translate complex maritime topics into clear, actionable insights.
• Serve as a trusted advisor who can challenge thinking, sharpen strategy, and elevate decision‑making.

Orchestrate Across a Global Fleet

• Ensure seamless communication and coordination across Safety, Marine Operations, Environmental Compliance, Technical Services, Fleet Management, and brand maritime teams.
• Help the organisation stay disciplined, accountable, and aligned on key operational goals.

Champion Key Projects and Initiatives

• Drive cross‑functional maritime programs— from transformation efforts to fleet efficiency and safety enhancement projects.
• Monitor progress, risks, and outcomes with a steady hand and a solutions‑oriented mindset.

Strengthen the Maritime Organisation

• Support leadership rhythms, operating processes, and cultural alignment within a global team.
• Foster collaboration built on trust, transparency, and Carnival’s service‑oriented values.

Who You Are

• A seasoned operator with a background in Industrial Engineering, consulting, or comparable environments.
• A natural integrator who excels at bringing order to complexity and maintaining calm under pressure.
• A sharp communicator who can brief senior executives with clarity and confidence.
• A relationship‑builder who can influence without authority and build trust across brands, cultures, and time zones.
• A strategic thinker who can zoom out to the big picture and dive in when hands‑on leadership is needed.
• Someone who embraces accountability, pace, and high expectations—and delivers consistently.

Why This Role Matters

Our maritime team is responsible for the safe and sustainable operation of our global fleet. As Chief of Staff to the CMO, you will help shape the future of that mission. Your work will directly support operational excellence, environmental leadership, and the guest experience that millions of travellers count on.

What You’ll Gain

• A high‑impact role with visibility across Carnival Corporation’s global leadership.
• Opportunities to influence major decisions and drive meaningful improvements in maritime operations.
• Competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and travel perks—plus the satisfaction of supporting an industry‑leading organisation.

Why Join Us?

Positioned within our internal structure from CUK15 (entry level) to CUK1 (Brand President), this role is classified as a CUK04 offered as a full‑time or part‑time position, on a permanent basis, with an offering of hybrid work including up to two days from home.

We’re more than just a holiday company; we’re a community that values work‑life balance, personal growth, and wellbeing. As part of our team, you’ll enjoy:

• Employee Discounted Cruising plus Friends and Family offers
• 25% Annual bonus
• Equity in Carnival UK
• Employee Shares Plan
• Minimum 25 days leave, bank holiday allowance and holiday trading scheme
• Regular office events including live entertainment, lifestyle events and charity partner fundraisers
• Extensive learning and development opportunities
• Employee‑led networks
• Employee Assistance and Wellbeing programmes
• Contributory Defined Contribution Pension scheme
• Company paid private medical and dental insurance and health assessment
• In‑house Occupational Health help and access to digital GP
• Life Assurance
• Parental and adoption leave
• Electric Car and Cycle to Work schemes
• Onsite restaurant offering range of healthy cooked and grab and go meals
• Discounted retail and leisure via discounts portal

Application Note

Due to the high volume of interest in our roles, we encourage early applications. This is your chance to contribute to a company that’s setting the standard for holiday experiences. Apply today to be part of our journey to create joy and memories for our customers—and for you.

Don’t let this opportunity sail away. Join us in making holiday dreams come true while advancing your career to new horizons.

Recruitment Journey

The recruitment journey for this role will start in Jan 2026, so please expect to hear from us in the New Year.

For more information on your recruitment journey, please visit https://bit.ly/CUKCandidateJourney.