Head of Marine Operations

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

AXA Health

Life Assurance

Enhanced maternity/paternity pay

Discounted cruises

Retail discounts

Job summary

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is seeking a Head of Marine Operations to lead the marine and port operations across its fleet.

The role focuses on clear ownership, disciplined control, and strong support to shipboard teams in marine operations, port calls, and itinerary execution. Based in the UK, you will shape standards, safety and regulatory compliance while maintaining guest experience and operational efficiency.

Qualifications

• Sea-going experience: Captain or Staff Captain on large vessels.
• 5+ years in senior shoreside management: itinerary planning, marine logistics or port oversight.
• Valid Master Unlimited CoC with current STCW.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and navigating changing operating models.
• Proven ability to collaborate with shipboard leadership, shoreside teams and regulators.
• Strong understanding of shipboard operations, port call execution and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Lead FOCL’s marine operations across fleet, ensuring navigation, safety and standards.
• Establish and maintain marine operating standards reflecting regulations and best practice.
• Guide the Maritime Standards Lead to ensure consistent application fleet-wide.
• Support a fit-for-purpose Safety Management System with accurate shipboard content.
• Oversee port operations for safe, efficient calls, turnarounds and embarkation.
• Coordinate itinerary planning with Product, Commercial and Destination Services teams.
• Provide oversight of berth planning, port schedules and readiness for each call.
• Balance safety, compliance, guest experience and commercial goals.

Skills

Master Unlimited CoC

Senior shoreside management

Leadership of multidisciplinary teams

Stakeholder communication

Budget discipline

Navigation safety

Operational risk management

Disruption response

Shipboard to shoreside collaboration

Decision making under pressure

Education

Maritime Master Unlimited CoC

Job description

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is a family-run business that has been offering exceptional cruise experiences for over 170 years. With a fleet of ships that provide intimate, friendly, and immersive voyages, we are committed to delivering world-class service with a personal touch. Join us and be part of a proud heritage that is all about making lasting memories for our guests.

As we continue to grow, we are now strengthening our team with a Head of Marine Operations. You will be responsible for creating clear ownership, disciplined operational control and consistent support to shipboard teams across marine operations, port operations, maritime standards, itinerary execution and operational response.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead FOCL’s marine operations function, ensuring vessel navigation, operational safety and maritime standards are effectively governed, supported and continuously improved.
• Establish and maintain clear marine operating standards that reflect regulatory obligations, industry best practice and the practical realities of shipboard operations.
• Provide leadership and direction to the Maritime Standards Lead, ensuring standards are understood, embedded and consistently applied across the fleet.
• Support the delivery of a fit-for-purpose Safety Management System by ensuring marine and operational content is accurate, usable and aligned to how work is carried out on board.
• Lead the port operations function, ensuring safe, efficient and well-controlled delivery for port calls, turnarounds, embarkation and disembarkation activity.
• Ensure operational itinerary planning is realistic, deliverable and effectively coordinated with the Product, Commercial, Destination Services, Technical Operations and shipboard teams.
• Provide oversight of berth planning, port schedules, turnaround planning, port agent arrangements and operational readiness for each call.
• Ensure port operations decisions balance safety, compliance, guest experience, crew impact, operational practicality and commercial requirements.
• Provide leadership across passenger operations and crew operations where they intersect with marine and port delivery.
• Ensure operational planning supports safe movement of guests, crew, luggage, stores and services during port calls and turnarounds.
• Strengthen the connection between shipboard operational teams and shoreside support functions, reducing duplication, confusion and inconsistent ownership.
• Ensure the operational impact of itinerary changes, disruption, weather, port restriction or vessel issues is assessed and communicated clearly.
• Lead the duty operations system to provide effective out-of-hours operational oversight, escalation and decision support.
• Build and lead a capable, professional Marine and Port Operations team with clear roles, decision rights, priorities and escalation routes.

Skills & Experience Required:

• At least 3 years of sea-going experience as a Captain or Staff Captain on large commercial or cruise vessels.
• At least 5 years of senior shoreside management experience, handling itinerary planning, marine logistics, or port agency oversight.
• Hold a valid Master Unlimited Certificate of Competency (CoC), enabling you to command a vessel of any tonnage, with a current STCW certification.
• Experience in leading multidisciplinary teams and building clarity in complex or changing operating models.
• Proven ability to work effectively with shipboard leadership, shoreside teams, external partners and regulatory stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of shipboard operations, port call execution, navigation safety, maritime compliance and operational risk management.
• Strong commercial awareness, budget discipline, and ability to balance safety, compliance, operational practicality and guest experience.
• Excellent judgement in operational decision-making, disruption response, escalation and stakeholder communication.

This is a permanent, full-time role, working 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Please note, this is a shoreside position and the successful applicant must be based in the UK.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines offer a wide range of benefits including AXA Health medical, Life Assurance, enhanced maternity and paternity pay, discounted holidays and cruises, plus retail discounts and cash back incentives through our Boost Benefits scheme. Attached to this advert you will find a full job profile and details of our Company benefits on offer.

Our Values:

• We are one team - Working together, supporting each other and recognising that every role plays a part.
• We are ambitious - Always looking for opportunities to improve and deliver more for our guests, colleagues and business.
• We are curious - Asking questions, seeking new ideas and learning from the world around us.
• We are real - Bringing our authentic selves to work and creating genuine connections.

As an equal opportunity employer, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We want to ensure that you feel supported throughout the application process and provide reasonable adjustments where necessary and requested. If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of your application and interview process, please do not hesitate to let us know.