Senior Lead, Program Management

Journey with us! Combine your career goals and sense of adventure by joining our exciting team of employees. Royal Caribbean Group is pleased 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.

The Royal Caribbean Group’s Global Marine Operations Team has an exciting career opportunity for a full-time Senior Lead, Program Management (Refurbishment Project Manager) reporting to the Director, Program Management.

The position is onsite and based in Miami, Florida.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the location where this position is based. The position is not eligible for immigration or work-visa sponsorship now or in the future.

At Royal Caribbean Group (RCG), we care about your health, financial security, and overall well-being. That’s why we provide a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support what matters most to you across every area of life: physical, intellectual, emotional, and social. Here’s an overview of the benefits available to you, including but not limited to:

• Cruise and Travel Privileges
• Health and Wellness Benefits
• 401(k) + Employer Contribution (US Only)
• Company-Paid Life and Disability Insurance
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Comprehensive Time Off Package
• Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Training & Professional Development
• Tuition & Professional Certification Reimbursement (US Only)

Specific benefits may vary by location and position. See more details about our benefits here.

What does the Global Marine Operations Team do?

The Marine Operations Team at Royal Caribbean Group ensures the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the company’s global fleet. The team oversees navigation, technical operations, safety, regulatory compliance, and crew workforce planning, partnering closely with shipboard leadership and external authorities to maintain operational excellence, meet maritime regulations, and deliver consistently safe voyages across all brands worldwide.

How you can make an impact:

The Refurbishment Project Manager plans, organizes and implements all refurbishment projects onboard assigned vessels. This covers projects executed in service and during drydock periods, whether expensed or capitalized. The role ensures all projects comply with the requirements of regulatory agencies such as DNV, IMO, SOLAS, USPH, US Coast Guard, ISO and ADA as applicable, and that projects meet the technical requirements of ship systems such as HVAC, electrical and mechanical, in coordination with the Marine Ship Managers and officers onboard the vessels. The role requires strong project management, communication, financial and technical skills to support assigned projects from inception to final acceptance, and works in close and constant interaction with the Facilities Management departments both shipboard and shoreside.

What your day-to-day will look like:

• Responsible to plan and deliver all refurbishment projects on assigned vessels on time, on budget and on quality, in service and during drydock, whether expensed or capitalized. (Accountable for decision making).

• Responsible for overall project management and coordination on assigned vessels, including onboard contractor performance supervision, project quality control, onboard coordination of purchasing, logistics, travel, shipboard support and use of a riding crew. (Accountable for decision making).

• Responsible to ensure that all projects comply with the requirements of regulatory agencies such as DNV, IMO, SOLAS, USPH, US Coast Guard, ISO and ADA as applicable. (Accountable for decision making).

• Responsible to ensure that projects meet all technical requirements related to ship systems such as HVAC, electrical and mechanical, and to coordinate approval with the Ship Managers, shipboard officers and Executive Committees. (Provides consultation).

• Responsible for final project acceptance and for securing the necessary onboard project acceptance on assigned vessels, including follow up and completion of all punch list items, coordination with Purchasing on guaranteed items and approval of the final resolution of guaranteed claims. (Accountable for decision making).

• Prepares and manages the annual refurbishment plan for assigned vessels, ensures the monthly project reconciliation files are updated on a timely basis, and assists in determining project priorities, timetables, project status reporting and maintenance of the project matrix including cost and benefit analyses. (Executes actions).

• Performs a thorough ship condition review twice a year per assigned vessel, and performs routine visits to assigned vessels to ensure maintenance is continuously performed to corporate standards. (Executes actions).

• Liaises and coordinates project planning and development with Hotel Operations, Newbuilding Design, Marine Operations, Supply Chain, Logistics and the onboard Executive and Maintenance Committees as dictated by refurbishment project requirements. (Provides consultation).

• Supports the day to day refurbishment effort onboard in liaison with shipboard Facilities Management, including support to the ship's Facilities Management staff in maintaining the general appearance of guest and crew areas to company standards. (Executes actions).

• Participates in the development of specifications, policies and procedures designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Refurbishment department, provides feedback to Newbuilding Design on materials performance and failures as part of the continuous improvement process, and optimizes the use of technology and templates to communicate refurbishment information and best practices. (Provides consultation).

How to achieve success:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering with 7 to 10 years of project management experience required. Master's degree preferred.

• Hospitality, cruise industry, shipyard or naval background preferred.

• Working knowledge of MS Project, AutoCAD and other project management systems required.

• Working knowledge of ship systems such as HVAC, electrical and mechanical required.

• Working knowledge of DNV, SOLAS, IMO and USPH requirements, sufficient to ensure projects comply with regulatory agency requirements in coordination with the Ship Manager and the Marine Operations Technical Support group.

• Travel requires up to 50 percent.

• Excellent organization and administration skills.

• Proven leadership skills.

• Strong interpersonal skills to work with multinational shipboard personnel.

• Disciplined attention to detail.

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Strong communication, financial and analytical skills.

• Strong project management skills, with the ability to analyze rendered RFPs down to the detail of labor and manpower requirements.

• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures and government regulations.

• Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals.

• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from project teams or managers.

• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference and volume.

• Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

• Ability to work in situations where a high level of noise may occur when visiting ships, dry docks, newbuild projects or off-site locations. Personal protective equipment will be available.

Agency and Third-Party Submissions: Please note this is a direct search by the Company, and applications through agencies and other third parties will not be accepted, nor will fees be paid for unsolicited resumes. Any unsolicited resumes will be considered the Company's property.

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 hope to see you onboard soon!

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 (including pregnancy and related medical conditions), age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, sexuality, gender identity or expression, marital status, citizenship or immigration status, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Royal Caribbean Group and each of its subsidiaries prohibit and will not tolerate discrimination or harassment.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to support candidates with disabilities during our hiring process. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to us at hraccess@rccl.com. This email is for disability-related accommodation requests only.