Director, Marine Operations

Job ID 10111368 Location Celebration, Florida, United States Business Disney Cruise Line Date posted Feb. 18, 2025

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Job Summary:

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

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About Disney Cruise Line:

A leader in the cruise industry, Disney Cruise Line provides a setting where families can reconnect, adults can recharge and children can experience all the magic that Disney has to offer. Guests can sail out of ports around the world on exciting itineraries to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Alaska and Europe, among others. Aboard our growing fleet of ships and Disney’s island destinations in The Bahamas, our exceptional crew and cast members provide legendary Disney service and enchanting entertainment to our guests that only Disney can deliver.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with Magical Cruise Company, Limited, which is part of a business we call Disney Cruise Line.

Magical Cruise Company, Limited is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

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Explore this Location Celebration, FL

The picture-perfect community of Celebration, 25 minutes southwest of Orlando, is a place like no other. Founded by The Walt Disney Company in the 1990s and named one of Forbes Magazine’s prettiest neighborhoods in America, Celebration features an idyllic downtown with architecture inspired by traditional Southern towns.