SVP, Marine and Technical Operations

Disney Cruise Line; Celebration (FL); On-site; USD 345,000 - 422,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus & long-term incentives

Medical benefits

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Disney Cruise Line seeks a Senior Vice President, Marine and Technical Operations to lead the marine, safety, and technical teams, including direct leadership of shipboard Captains and ensuring compliance with international regulations across the fleet and private destinations.

This role drives strategy for fleet growth, oversees budgets for marine and technical operations, and partners with the executive team to deliver safe, efficient voyages and major projects such as new builds and dry docks.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of executive leadership in marine/technical/safety operations.
• Solid knowledge of SOLAS, IMO, classification rules and other marine standards.
• Experience in fleet operations, new builds, dry docks, regulatory compliance.
• Strong strategic, conceptual, and financial planning abilities.
• Willingness to travel internationally for extended periods.

Responsibilities

• Lead marine, safety, and technical operations with shipboard Captains.
• Ensure compliance with international and port-state regulations across the fleet.
• Drive cost-savings initiatives without compromising safety.
• Oversee regulatory surveys, inspections, and safety programs.
• Oversee budgets for Marine, Safety, and Technical Operations.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic thinking

Financial acumen

Regulatory knowledge

Communication skills

Education

Master's Degree in Marine Operations, Engineering, or Business Management

Job description

The Senior Vice President, Marine and Technical Operations is responsible for the overall leadership of the marine, safety operations, and technical departments within Disney Cruise Line. This role has direct leadership responsibility of our shipboard Captains and is responsible for ensuring our ships comply with all international and port state statutes, regulation, rules, and guidelines. In addition, this role leads the team that is responsible for driving the overall strategy and operational requirements of key projects related to the growth of the Disney Cruise Line fleet including new builds and dry docks.

Key Responsibilities

• Manages directly or indirectly the development and implementation of company operating procedures, maintenance procedures, and contingency plans that support the Safety Management System.
• Oversees that the ships are operated efficiently and seeks cost savings initiatives, without compromising the safe operations of the ships.
• Responsible for coordinating regulatory surveys and inspections of the ships.
• Provides marine and technical functional expertise to the team and is responsible for ensuring a highly integrated approach for all key projects, in partnership with the senior executive team at Disney Cruise Line.
• Responsible for implementing Safety Operational procedures onboard the ships and private destinations.
• Responsible for implementing environmental protection and pollution prevention onboard the ships and private destinations.
• Accountable to develop and implement operating budgets for all responsibility areas - Marine, Safety and Technical Operations Department Budget (vessel/voyage/general and administrative, capital planning safety training and maintenance).
• Provides measures to correct defects reported by the ships, and the correction is reported to appropriate authorities, incident reports are completed, and follow-up action is taken.
• Sees that adequate resources and shore-based support are given to the ships and company’s private destination, as required.
• Oversees rotation planning for Captains, Deck, Engineering Officers, and Crew Members
• Oversees Officer and Crew certification management.
• Responsible for the required STCW and SOLAS related training for Officers and Crew onboard the Disney Cruise Line®vessels.
• Oversees the professional training program for Captains, Deck and Engineering Officers and Crew.
• Maintains Company safety standards, and improve as needed, throughout the fleet and on company’s private destinations.
• Retains authority for final approval of all policies governing ship navigation and, technical operations in partnership with DPA, HR & Legal.
• Oversees that voyage planning protocols are strictly followed.
• In conjunction with Vice President Commercial Strategy, oversees the itinerary planning and port development function.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of hands‑on executive leadership experience directly leading enterprise‑scale marine, technical, and safety operations, with strong knowledge of the guest and crew experience.
• Extensive experience in marine and engineering operations, with deep knowledge of technical and regulatory ship requirements, including SOLAS, IMO, classification rules and regulations, and other marine standards.
• Relevant cruise line industry experience, including exposure to fleet operations, new builds, dry docks, technical projects, regulatory compliance, and complex project management in a fast‑paced, multi‑site environment.
• Executive leadership skills with the ability to define a clear vision, build high‑performing teams, drive accountability, inspire collaboration, and foster a culture of excellence.
• Proven experience developing and executing enterprise‑level strategic plans, with exceptional strategic, conceptual, and creative thinking.
• Advanced financial acumen, including experience with operating budgets, capital planning, long‑range planning, and investment decision‑making.
• Proven record of sound executive judgment, with the mental agility, flexibility, and enterprise perspective required to lead in a dynamic, high‑growth environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to articulate operational needs, represent the guest and crew experience, influence key decisions, settle differences, and gain alignment without damaging relationships.
• Preferred qualification as Master and/or Chief Engineer’s license.
• Ability to travel internationally for extended periods of time.

Education

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Marine Operations, Engineering, Business Management.

The hiring range for this position is $345,000 to $421,800 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long‑term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.