Director, Nautical Operations Marine

Journey with us! Combine your career goals and sense of adventure by joining our incredible team of employees at Royal Caribbean Group. We are proud to offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, and excellent career development opportunities, each offering unique ways to explore the world. 

We are proud to be the vacation-industry leader with global brands — including Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises — the most innovative fleet and private destinations, and the best people. Together, we are dedicated to turning the vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations for our guests. 

Position Summary: 

The Director of Nautical Operations is a senior leadership role responsible for the safe, efficient, and compliant navigation of the company’s river cruise fleet operating on the Rhine and Danube. This position provides strategic oversight of all nautical activities, including voyage planning, docking operations, and regulatory compliance. The Director serves as the Company’s primary authority on navigational standards, ensuring alignment with company policies, European inland waterway regulations (e.g., CESNI standards, ADN, and EU Directive 2016/1629), and industry best practices.

This role drives continuous improvement in operational safety and efficiency, develops and enforces nautical policies, and fosters a strong safety culture across the fleet. The Director will collaborate closely with management companies, Captains, and internal stakeholders to optimize fleet performance, minimize operational risks, and deliver an exceptional guest experience through reliable and efficient vessel operations. Additionally, the Director will represent the company in dealings with port authorities, classification societies (e.g., Lloyd’s Register, DNV), and regulatory agencies such as the Central Commission for Navigation on the Rhine (CCNR) and Danube Commission. The role will also maintain active participation (where appropriate) in industry associations such as IG RiverCruise, European Barge Union (EBU), and Inland Navigation Europe (INE) to influence policy and stay ahead of regulatory developments.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Lead and manage fleet-wide navigation operations and docking strategies.
• Ensure compliance with applied ISO standards and company policies.
• Ensure compliance with European inland waterway regulations, including CCNR, CESNI technical standards, ADN (European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways), and EU directives on inland navigation vessel certification. 
• Oversee voyage planning, lock scheduling, and docking coordination across the Rhine and Danube.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve nautical policies and procedures.
• Monitor navigational performance and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Support training and professional development of Captains and Officers.
• Serve as primary liaison with port authorities, classification societies, and regulatory bodies.
• Conduct audits and inspections to ensure compliance and operational readiness.
• Drive initiatives to enhance navigational safety, efficiency, and sustainability.
• Represent the company in industry forums and regulatory discussions.
• Maintain strong relationships with national waterway authorities (e.g., WSV in Germany, VNF in France, RSO in Austria).
• Represent the company at industry forums, regulatory working groups, and trade associations (IG RiverCruise, EBU, INE) to advocate for operational interests and monitor emerging regulations.
• Liaise with classification societies for vessel certification and compliance with ISO and ISM standards.
• Monitor and implement updates from IMO inland navigation guidelines where applicable.

Qualifications, Knowledge and Skills: 

• Master Mariner or Chief Officer license preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in inland passenger vessel navigation, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Proven track record in fleet operations, compliance, and safety management.
• Extensive experience with European river systems and regulatory frameworks.
• Valid certifications and advanced navigation training.
• Expert knowledge of navigation principles, river operations, and inland waterway regulations including ES-TRIN, CCNR, CESNI, ADN, and classification society rules
• Strong leadership, decision-making, and crisis management skills.
• Proficiency in voyage planning software, chart systems, and bridge systems.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Ability to work effectively in multicultural maritime environments.

We know there's a lot to consider. As you go through the application process, our recruiters will be glad to provide guidance, and more relevant details to answer any additional questions. Thank you again for your interest in Royal Caribbean Group. We'll hope to see you onboard soon! 

No immigration sponsorship is offered. 

It is the policy of the Company to ensure equal employment and promotion opportunity to qualified candidates without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, sexuality, gender identity or expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Royal Caribbean Group and each of its subsidiaries prohibit and will not tolerate discrimination or harassment. 

#LI-AZ1