Director Maritime Standards (Technical)

Holland America Line Inc; Almere; Remote; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

CSMART, part of Carnival Corporation, seeks a Director, Maritime Standards - Technical to lead the Fleet Chief Engineer program and advance technical operations across eight cruise brands.

You will translate fleet experience into course improvements, coach senior maritime professionals, and align technical standards with corporate strategy, while managing travel and cross-functional projects.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to lead senior maritime professionals and teams.
• Experience turning fleet feedback into practical training improvements.
• Strong strategic thinking for technical standards across a global organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Fleet Chief Engineer program, setting priorities and deployment plans.
• Allocate activities across shipboard reviews, assignments and SME contributions.
• Oversee ship visits and feedback channels to evaluate training application.
• Identify learning gaps and convert feedback into course improvements.
• Act as a senior maritime SME for CSMART and Carnival brands.

Skills

Leadership

Global program management

Stakeholder collaboration

Communication

Coaching

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marine Engineering

Job description

At CSMART, we support maritime professionals in performing safely, confidently and to the highest standards. As part of Carnival Corporation, our work connects advanced maritime training with real-world operations across the global fleet.

We are looking for an experienced cruise-ship Chief Engineer to join us as Director, Maritime Standards - Technical. In this role, you will lead the Fleet Chief Engineer program and lead continuous improvement in all aspects of technical operations across Carnival Corporation's eight cruise brands. You'll develop recommendations and strategic direction on technical standards across our global organization and support Corporate Departments and brand management in technical matters either as a SME or project lead. Furthermore, you will connect CSMART training with its practical application on board. By gathering operational feedback, identifying recurring learning and translating fleet experience into well-founded recommendations, you will contribute to the continuous improvement of courses, simulator scenarios and professional maritime standards.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the Fleet Chief Engineer program, setting annual priorities, coordinating deployment plans and managing the associated travel budget.
• Allocate Fleet Chief Engineer activities across shipboard reviews, CSMART assignments and subject-matter-expert contributions.
• Oversee ship visits and other feedback channels to evaluate how training is applied in practice.
• Identify recurring learning, operational gaps and good practices through observations, fleet feedback, post-course evaluations and post-deployment evaluations.
• Translate validated fleet learning into recommendations for existing courses, new learning solutions and simulator scenarios.
• Act as a senior technical maritime subject-matter expert for CSMART, the cruise brands and relevant shoreside stakeholders.
• Work closely with Maritime Professional Development, Operations, brand Technical Operations and other stakeholders.
• Coach senior maritime professionals and provide structured input to the employing brands regarding Fleet Chief Engineer deployments.
• Manage the program's travel budget and support other technical projects and initiatives as required.

Requirements & Experience

• In-depth knowledge of cruise-ship technical operations, shipboard leadership, safety culture and maritime management systems.
• Proven experience leading senior maritime professionals, including setting priorities, allocating work and providing coaching.
• The ability to lead global programs through both direct and matrix relationships.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to turn operational evidence into practical recommendations.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills across shipboard, brand and shoreside environments.
• The ability to build effective relationships and create alignment across different teams and areas of expertise.
• Experience in maritime training, curriculum improvement, simulator-based learning, training transfer or formal program management would be an advantage.

Essential qualifications

• At least three years of experience as a Chief Engineer on cruise ships.
• Experience within Carnival Corporation and/or one of its cruise brands.
• A bachelor's degree in Marine Engineering or another relevant discipline.
• A valid Chief Engineer STCW Certificate of Competency.
• The ability to travel internationally and work aboard ships.
• The flexibility to work occasionally outside normal business hours.
  

Why join CSMART?

As Director Maritime Standards, you will lead continuous improvement in all aspects of technical operations across our Corporation and brands. Your experience and leadership will influence operational excellence, safety culture and the advancement of professional maritime standards.

At CSMART, you will work in a highly specialised and international maritime environment where collaboration, professional expertise and continuous improvement are central to how we work. You will have the opportunity to influence how training is transferred into onboard practice and how operational learning is brought back into future training and development.

This is a senior role with global reach, connecting shore and fleet and contributing directly to the continued development of maritime safety, leadership and operational excellence across Carnival Corporation.

Interested in joining us?

Details regarding the recruitment process will be shared with shortlisted candidates.