Operations Specialist

AECO; Tromsø; On-site; NOK 520,000 - 640,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private health insurance

Pension scheme

Five weeks annual leave

Office in Tromsø

Occupational health service

Job summary

AECO, the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators, seeks an Operations Specialist for a temporary parental leave cover in Tromsø. You will balance office-based admin work with maritime tasks, environmental initiatives, and project support within AECO’s Operations Department.

You’ll coordinate with members and partners, support committees, and help ensure safe, sustainable expedition cruising in the Arctic. Some travel is expected.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of or experience in the expedition cruise industry is preferred.
• Strong administrative and organizational skills are essential.
• Excellent English communication and a Scandinavian language.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks.
• Experience with project management and stakeholder processes.

Responsibilities

• Support administration of AECO tools and database activities.
• Respond to member inquiries and share operational updates.
• Assist incident response readiness and follow-up with members.
• Maintain secretariat duties for Operations committees.
• Contribute to environmental projects and initiatives.
• Represent AECO at external meetings and events as required.
• Conduct ship observations and support external collaborations.
• Assist in AGM preparations and general operations tasks.

Skills

Administrative skills

Organizational skills

Communication (English & Scandinavian)

Independent work

Project management

Stakeholder coordination

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

The Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) is an international membership organization with a clear mission: to ensure Arctic expedition cruise tourism creates positive value for the regions it visits, while protecting the natural environment, preserving cultural heritage, supporting local communities, and maintaining the highest standards of safety in member operations.

AECO is recognized as a trusted and responsible voice in the industry. We work closely with authorities and stakeholders to shape policies, set standards, and promote best practices for sustainable Arctic tourism.

Together with approximately 80 international members, we develop practical tools and comprehensive guidelines for Arctic operations, covering destinations from Svalbard to Greenland, Iceland, and Arctic Canada. Our secretariat is a team of passionate professionals, most based at our head office in Tromsø, Norway.

Your role

We are looking for a dedicated Operations Specialist with broad competence and interest across operational administration, maritime tasks, environmental initiatives, and project support. You are versatile, adaptable, and ready to take on a variety of responsibilities that help ensure safe, sustainable, and responsible expedition cruising in the Arctic.

As part of AECO’s Operations Department (a team of four), you will contribute to a wide range of activities, from maintaining operational tools and supporting environmental projects to coordinating with members and stakeholders. The position requires a balance between office-based tasks and active engagement with committees and partners. Some travelis to be expected.

This is a temporary parental leave cover position running until 1 January 2027, with the potential for extension.

Key responsibilities

• Support administration of AECO tools, including cruise database and online assessments
• Respond to member and stakeholder inquiries; compile and share operational updates
• Participate in incident response support activities, including readiness checks and member follow-up
• Secretariat duties for Operations committees: agendas, notes, follow-ups
• Contribute to environmental projects and initiatives
• Represent AECO at external meetings and events as required
• Conduct ship observations as required
• Support external project collaborations
• Assist in preparing for the Annual General Meeting (AGM)
• General Operations tasks assigned

Qualifications

• Knowledge of or experience with the expedition cruise industry
• Strong administrative and organizational skills; proficiency in Microsoft 365
• Excellent communication skills in English (our primary working language) and a Scandinavian language
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks
• Experience with project management and consultation processes

Personal attributes

• Flexible and adaptable – thrives on varied tasks
• Analytical and structured, with a practical and hands-on approach

Strong collaborative skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team

Diplomatic and confident in stakeholder engagement, with a collaborative approach

• Calm and constructive under pressure

We offer

• A varied and meaningful role in an internationally recognized organization committed to responsible and sustainable expedition cruising in the Arctic
• An inclusive and collaborative working environment with shared dedication to AECO’s mission, bringing together colleagues of different ages, cultures, professional backgrounds, and areas of expertise
• Competitive salary and excellent insurance and pension schemes, including private health insurance
• Access to an occupational health service
• Five weeks of annual leave
• Modern and inviting office facilities located in the heart of Tromsø