Technical Planning Manager (for Disney Cruise Line Engineering Department)

Disney Cruise Line; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Private medical insurance

Disney Parks admission

Disney discounts

Parental leave

Employee Resource Groups

Job summary

Disney Cruise Line is seeking a technically strong Technical Planning Manager in the Marine & Technical Operations team in London. You will lead assigned technical projects across Marine Engineering, safety, security and environmental performance, ensuring compliance with flag, port state, and class requirements.

Based at our Hammersmith office with on-site presence four days a week, you will coordinate with shipboard leadership, manage budgets, and drive long‑term maintenance and dry docking

Qualifications

• Significant sea-going and/or ship management experience.
• Engineering degree or equivalent qualification required.
• Experience with regulatory compliance and class society standards.

Responsibilities

• Manage assigned technical projects, including Marine Engineering, safety, security, and environmental performance–related work.
• Maintain Disney Cruise Line technical standards and operational standards for Safety and Engineering.
• Communicate and coordinate regularly with Shipboard Leadership.
• Take responsibility for project management activities, including developing technical solutions and coordinating handover to operational teams.

Skills

Marine engineering experience

Project management

Regulatory compliance

Ship operations knowledge

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

About the role

The Technical Planning Manager is an engineering position within Disney Cruise Line’s Marine & Technical Operations Department and plays a key role supporting the engineering, maintenance, and ongoing improvement of the cruise fleet.

Job Requirements

About the role

The Technical Planning Manager is an engineering position within Disney Cruise Line’s Marine & Technical Operations Department and plays a key role supporting the engineering, maintenance, and ongoing improvement of the cruise fleet. Reporting to the Director of Technical Operations, the Technical Planning Manager plays a key role in delivering agreed in-service and dry dock improvement projects aligned to the department’s strategy and objectives. Projects may consist of Marine Engineering, safety, security and environmental performance related work while maintaining technical standards and compliance with technical aspects of applicable Flag State, Port State, international, and classification society requirements. This role offers an exciting opportunity for a technically strong professional with an engineering background (such as marine engineering) to support the delivery of unforgettable guest experiences by helping ensure the fleet operates safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards. The position is based in the Disney Cruise Line offices in Hammersmith (London) with a requirement to work on site four days per week and travel to our ship’s location as well as during dry dock phases. 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.

What You Will Do

• Manage assigned technical projects, including Marine Engineering, safety, security, and environmental performance–related work.
• Maintain Disney Cruise Line technical standards and operational standards for Safety and Engineering.
• Communicate and coordinate regularly with Shipboard Leadership.
• Take responsibility for project management activities, including:
• Developing technical solutions in line with departmental strategy and priorities.
• Coordinating handover to operational colleagues, ship teams, or private island resort teams, including documentation, training, critical spares, and test and trial records.
• Managing assigned technical and engineering scopes in accordance with specifications, industry practice, and regulatory requirements.
• Applying Company sourcing policies for ordering, invoicing, and bidding.
• Act as a liaison with regulatory bodies, including the US Coast Guard (USCG) and Lloyd’s Register, for areas of responsibility.
• Ensure compliance with technical aspects of Flag State, Port State, international, and classification society requirements.
• Ensure corrective and preventive actions are implemented for issues within areas of responsibility.
• Manage departmental budgets within areas of responsibility.
• Support the standardisation of shipboard operating procedures for assigned areas.
• Contribute to the planning and execution of long‑term maintenance activities, including dry docking and wet docking.
• Maintain oversight of technical drawings and equipment manuals in the UK office and manage the technical library for third‑party documentation.
• Monitor safety and pollution prevention initiatives related to the technical operation of each ship.
• Follow and implement the Company Safety Management System (SMS) and use and comply with Company Maintenance Systems and procedures, including AMOS.
• Provide day‑to‑day operational support as required.
• Support internal Safety and Environmental meetings and Emergency Operations, as required.

Required Qualifications

• Significant sea‑going and/or ship management marine engineering experience.
• Relevant tertiary engineering or related degree, higher national diploma, certificate of competence, or equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications

• Cruise Sector experience is beneficial.
• Professional qualifications in relevant marine technology.
• Professional training in marine regulations.

The Perks

• 25 days annual leave
• Private medical insurance & dental care
• Complimentary admission to eligible Disney Theme Parks, giving you the opportunity to experience the magic we create and make memories of your own. Admission is subject to availability, capacity restrictions, applicable rules, block‑out dates, and eligibility requirements.
• Access to a wide range of Disney discounts on Disney merchandise, Disney Food & Beverage, Disney Resort Hotels, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney, National Geographic Expeditions, and more. Offerings are subject to availability and may be seasonal, and subject to applicable rules, restrictions, and eligibility requirements.
• Excellent parental and guardian leave
• Employee Resource Groups – WOMEN @ Disney, Disney Mosaic, Disney PRIDE, our 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.

To learn more about Disney's guidelines on the use of AI for candidates, click here.

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.

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