Chief HESS Officer: Cruise Safety, Environment & Security

Vice President, Health, Environment, Safety and Security; Orlando (FL); Hybrid; USD 250,000 - 420,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) plan with company match

Paid holidays and vacation time

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Margaritaville at Sea seeks a visionary Vice President, Health, Environment, Safety and Security (HESS) to build and lead the HESS function across the fleet as Beachcomber enters service in 2027. This executive role offers direct access to senior leadership and stop-work authority.

You will set standards, build the team, and deliver a data-driven view of HESS performance and risk, with travel to homeports and ships as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in marine engineering, nautical science, environmental science, occupational health and safety, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead HESS: Set fleet strategy, standards, budget and multi-year plan.
• Build and lead a shoreside HESS team.
• Report HESS performance and risk to the executive team.
• Own environmental compliance including MARPOL, NA-ECA, VIDA/US EPA vessel discharge.
• Own public health readiness including CDC Vessel Sanitation Program.
• Own the risk assessment program and permit-to-work processes.
• Set occupational health and safety standards for crew and apply human factors to investigations.
• Oversee shipboard security programs under ISPS Code and CVSSA; integrate cyber risk management.
• Partner with third-party ship manager to set HESS KPIs and run assurance/audit programs.
• Lead investigation of significant incidents and drive corrective action to closure.
• Build a culture empowering crew to stop unsafe work and ensure HESS readiness for new ships.

Skills

HESS leadership

Risk assessment

Incident investigation

Strategic leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in marine engineering/nautical science/environmental science/occupational health and safety or related field

10+ years HESS leadership in maritime or high-hazard industry

ISO 14001/ISO 45001 lead auditor certification

NEBOSH International Diploma or CSP

HFACS or TapRooT training

STCW Master/Chief Engineer level knowledge

Job description

Margaritaville at Sea seeks a visionary Vice President, Health, Environment, Safety and Security (HESS) to build and lead the HESS function across the fleet as Beachcomber enters service in 2027. This executive role offers direct access to senior leadership and stop-work authority.

You will set standards, build the team, and deliver a data-driven view of HESS performance and risk, with travel to homeports and ships as required.