Senior Manager, Marine & Technical New Build

Disney Cruise Line; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Private medical insurance

Disney discounts

Parental leave

Employee resource groups

Job summary

Disney Cruise Line seeks a Senior Manager to lead MTO operational requirements for new ship builds and dry docks, coordinating with WDI and shipyards to ensure safety, quality and regulatory compliance.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, manage documentation, and drive readiness activities from build through commissioning, with travel to shipyards and sites as required.

Qualifications

• Degree in Naval Architecture or related engineering with shipbuilding focus.
• Experience leading large cruise ship projects and teams.
• Strong knowledge of ship operations, design, and regulatory standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and coordination of operational requirements for new ship builds and dry docks.
• Coordinate with WDI and partners to ensure compliance and quality across stages.
• Oversee document control and maintenance planning for ship systems.
• Engage with shipyard and regulatory bodies, perform inspections and trials as needed.
• Support pre-launch activities including crew training and logistics planning.

Skills

Naval Architecture degree

Senior leadership experience

Ship operations knowledge

Regulatory requirements knowledge

Reviewing technical specs

Multitasking and prioritization

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Problem solving

Travel flexibility

Site construction experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Naval Architecture or related engineering

Job description

About The Role & Team

This Senior Manager role supports the Director, Marine & Technical New Build with the Disney Cruise Line (DCL) ship development program and operational readiness preparation for new builds & dry docks relating to marine and technical operations, including plant engineering, safety, compliance, technology, back of house hotel technical services, and inputs to guest and crew experiences. The role focuses on operational efficiency and optimization and through life / future maintenance and operating responsibly to meet existing and future business and regulatory requirements.

The role will partner with DCL Marine & Technical Operations (MTO) for newbuild scope and specification development to facilitate, manage and coordinate the operating requirements, ship building quality assurance, and regulatory and safety compliance needs. It supports decision making and problem solving throughout the project lifecycle, and checks the agreed scope is executed to a high standard of excellence, in preparation for operational readiness. This role is highly collaborative and solution orientated, partnering with Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) Project Teams and DCL Operations to help deliver the best guest and crew operation.

You’ll join a team grounded in our Disney values — acting with Integrity, welcoming everyone through Inclusion, embracing boundless Creativity, working together through Collaboration and caring deeply for our Community. These values shape how we work and how we support one another every day.

This role will be based in our London Hammersmith office, 4 days a week, with either a Monday or Friday working from home. You will also be required for occasional international travel.

What You Will Do

• Responsible for driving the development and coordination of MTO operational requirements for new ship building projects including systems such as propulsion and power generation, auxiliary, navigation, automation, hull piping as well as structural design, stability, hydrodynamics and marine auxiliary systems.
• Track adherence to and implementation of the operational requirements into the ship general arrangement, working with partners to gather feedback and solutions as needed to maintain operational functional and quality standards.
• Responsible for reviewing, compiling and submitting operational comments on technical drawings and plan approval documents, and where necessary, attending inspections, tests and trials during the development, engineering, construction and commissioning phases.
• Responsible for documenting and ongoing document control of the marine and technical equipment specifications and Owners Supply and Owners Furnished Equipment/Spares Lists to support the set-up and opening of the ship. Collaborate with operational partners to gather required specifications and supplies.
• Closely collaborate with WDI project team including project managers, consultants, site superintendents, regulatory bodies and shipyard teams during the build. Regularly visit and inspect the ship during construction, mockups and test and trials.
• Facilitate marine and technical operational readiness requirements. Providing information for the planning and communication of pre-launch activities including vessel commissioning team set up, crew training, logistics arrangements and delivery and installation of Owner supplied systems and equipment.
• Input to the generation of the ship specific AMOS Maintenance & Procurement database and uploading of components and part specific data, driving the document handover process and development of maintenance schedules using fleet wide methods and learnings.
• Consistently engage in shipbuilding and guest experience industry research, development and regulatory changes to keep abreast of future trends. Attend conferences and supplier trade events.
• Identify opportunities for business process improvements within new build projects and dry dock initiatives to improve the quality of services delivered.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Degree in Naval Architecture or other engineering disciplines with a technical focus applicable to shipbuilding and ship operations
• Extensive senior leadership experience in cruise line operations, including expertise in managing large projects and teams, ideally ship new build related.
• Comprehensive understanding of ship operations and shipbuilding process of design, specification, supplier selection, yard construction and commissioning
• Good understanding of the technical and regulatory requirements for cruise ships and other marine safety and quality standards.
• Strong competence in reviewing technical specifications and drawings
• Highly motivated self-starter able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced work environment with proven ability to initiate, organize, prioritize, take and provide direction, and complete multiple tasks in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment with strong interpersonal and partnering skills and positive demeanor.
• Strong verbal, written and presentation skills to be able to clearly articulate and document the needs of the operation.
• Good problem solving and continuous improvement skills and a keen eye for detail.
• Flexibility with work schedule, including weekends and holidays including travel internationally for significant periods of time.
• Ability to work in shipyard construction site conditions.

The Perks

• 25 days annual leave
• Private medical insurance & dental care
• Free Park Entry: You will have the opportunity to enter any of our parks with your family and friends for free
• Disney Discounts: you are entitled to discounts on designated Disney products, resort F&B and ticketing
• Excellent parental and guardian leave
• Employee Resource Groups – WOMEN @ Disney, Disney DIVERSITY, Disney PRIDE, our new disability & neurodiversity focused group - ENABLED, and our Mental Health & Wellbeing Group, TRUST.

The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our audiences, and where all can thrive and belong. Disney is committed to forming a team that includes and respects a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Disclaimer

This position is with Magical Cruise Co., Ltd, which is part of a business we call Disney Cruise Line.

Magical Cruise Co., Ltd is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, colour, religion or belief, sex, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, disability or pregnancy or maternity. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.