Director, Marine Operations

Under the oversight of the Executive Director of Marine & Safety Operations, the Director, Marine Operations is responsible for the marine operations of the fleet and private islands including the fleet nautical operations, fleet training operations and assists the Executive Director in all aspects of his role related to port operations, itinerary planning, safety operations and new build operations management.

The Director, Marine Operations will be responsible for:

• Direct leadership of shore based marine team for all operational related issues and personal development.

• Departmental budgets for areas of responsibility (marine, nautical & training)

• Global port of call operations, port costs management & fuel forecasting based upon planned deployments & Itineraries

• Responsible to see that the fleet itineraries are optimized in respect of port rotations, fuel and port costs to support the annual fleet deployment plans and budgets and reach the required revenue goals

• Along with the Senior Manager of Ports and Itinerary Planning (UK) Identifies new ports and destinations for existing or new itineraries; identifies new port agents and ports and develops along with the Senior Manager of Ports and Itinerary Planning the required contracts with port agents at those ports of call globally.

• Disney Cruise Line® (DCL) marine, nautical and training standards for the fleet and private Islands

• Providing marine, port, itinerary, safety, security, environmental & marine HR operational expertise and direction to multiple departments within the DCL and where applicable the WDW organization, and providing expert marine & industry knowledge & experience

• Assisting in evaluating business and organizational challenges and providing input along with solutions at the executive level

• Supporting the strategic planning, targeting global company growth & identifying new deployment regions and ports for future growth

• Monitoring vessel performance in order to contribute to innovative solutions around DCL’s new build vessels (both current and future), fuel management, port costs, & optimization of itineraries & deployment

• Remaining current on global marine, industry and port affairs while maintaining current/developing new global marine, safety, industry, port and government relationships

• Verifies that the fleet’s vessels and office comply with international and Flag State rules, regulations, and guidelines in respect to standards of training certification and watch keeping, safety and navigation

• Responsible for standardizing fleet operational policies and procedures for areas of responsibility and operational standards for the marine and deck department

• Responsible for implementing Safety Management System policies and procedures relative to areas of responsibilities. 

• Departmental point of contact for USCG, USPH (CDC), Lloyd’s Register, port authorities, CLIA and FCCA

• Member of:

  • FCCA Operations Committee

  • CLIA NWCCA and ACA Operations Committee

  • Disney Cruise Line® Operating board member alternate, Executive Committee, Security, Safety and Environmental Committees

  • Act as the Duty Executive as required

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum 15 years’ experience in operational marine nautical, port and cruise vessel operations; inclusive of holding a Master Mariner License

• Command experience as a Captain onboard cruise vessels or high-capacity passenger vessels

• Deep expertise working within a shipboard and shore side operational environment.

• Experience in a shore-based environment as a senior leader with proven ability to work across teams & navigate complex multi-stakeholder environments within the department and other departments

• Ability to be flexible with work schedule, including weekends and holidays to support the 24/7 operations

• Must be able to travel as required (estimated travel ~30%), including emergency/no-notice travel

• Demonstrated strong verbal, written, presentation and public speaking skills; impactful communicator with ability to deliver presentations to senior executives with poise and confidence

• Demonstrated strong negotiation, delegation, and partnering skills

• Demonstrated ability to lead large-scale projects ensuring successful delivery of outcomes.

Required Education

• Bachelors’ Degree

• Master Mariner License

Preferred Education

• MBA or equivalent degree