Director, Maritime Policy

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 & benefits package, and excellent career development opportunities, each offering unique ways to explore the world.

Royal Caribbean Group is the world’s largest cruise line, having a record-breaking year and launching not one but TWO brand new ships in 2004, including a brand-new class of ship in Icon of the Seas! It couldn’t be a more exciting time to join a global business that is blazing a trail in the travel industry right now.

With our 3 brands Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises & Silversea we have ships in South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and several North American markets beyond our headquarters in Miami, FL. We cover the globe. No matter where our guests want to go, Royal Caribbean Group has a ship that can deliver a world-class vacation.

At Royal Caribbean Group we never rest on our laurels; we constantly strive to improve our work and be at the forefront of the industry. The work that we do is exciting, challenging, and innovative. You get to work both independently and as part of a collaborative and dynamic international team. We are passionate, we are innovative, and we are unstoppable.

Position Summary:

Our Government Relations team in Europe is looking for a Director of Maritime Policy to strengthen RCG’s public policy expertise, technical regulatory understanding, communication, and advocacy efforts vis-à-vis relevant regulatory bodies – particularly the International Maritime Organization (IMO), but also the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). A key component of this role is to coordinate with relevant departments to understand the various policy and regulatory developments that relate to maritime operations (specifically decarbonization within and between the IMO and the EU). In this regard this role will also help oversee the policy advocacy next steps on the implementation and delivery of regulations like the EU “Green Deal”, IMO Revised Decarbonization Strategy, as well as others, contributing to our brands’ ability to comply with the requirements of the wider regulatory frameworks. . 

This role will be based at our EMEA office in Weybridge, UK, with regular travel into central London and will report to the VP Government Relations EMEA.

This role will be involved ethically in political and regulatory processes on issues of importance to RCG to protect and propagate the company's good name and business interests. This includes representing and promoting the company’s strategic government relations objectives with regulators and public officials, and in various public functions.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop working relationships with appointed officials and decision makers in the IMO, EMSA, and relevant Member States’ representatives in said bodies, in close coordination with RCG’s ESG and environmental teams and Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
• In conjunction with Environmental Stewardship, ESG and Decarbonization teams develop a proactive forward-looking plan, focusing on the risk and opportunities brought about by regulatory developments in the decarbonization of the maritime sector, and in all areas relevant to sustainability.
• Together with Environmental Stewardship, ESG and Decarbonization teams, help develop advocacy strategies to engage regulators on key maritime policy and regulatory issues. Analyze public policy issues and trends to determine potential impacts to the company, including highly technical and complex legislation and regulation.
• Contribute to the development and support the execution of RCG’s wider government relations campaigns.
• Effectively articulate and communicate company positions and goals to political leaders and decision makers on public issues.
• Maintain positive, professional, and ethical relationships with political and appointed authorities in line with RCG’s core values and mission: to deliver the world’s best vacations responsibly.
• Support the VP Government Relations EMEA in setting up, preparing, and participating in regular external meetings and events.
• Work with company and industry colleagues on development of solutions to regulatory matters, including the implementation of the “Fit For 55” legislative package for the maritime sector

• Assist the company in crisis management of issues that have may have governmental involvement implications.
• Willingness to participate in internal virtual meetings outside regular office hours (due to time difference with RCG’s head office in Miami).
• Contribute to a positive work environment with a focus on teamwork and on levering the strengths of other team members.
• Able to travel domestically as well as internationally.
• Perform other duties as required.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 8+ years of relevant work experience in the maritime / shipping sector or in a regulatory / governmental role.
• Excellent knowledge of policy, regulatory and technical matters impacting shipping (cruising).
• Ability to work independently and to handle a broad range of complex issues simultaneously with a proactive approach.
• Excellent analytical and written skills. Must be proficient in English.
• High level of reading and comprehension skills, particularly as it relates to public documents such as EU directives, IMO rules, regulations, and reports.
• Trustworthy, honest, and ethical behavior during all interactions with public policy makers is a must.
• A progressive job history that demonstrates attainment of higher levels of responsibility in business management, policy, government relations or public relations roles at the Manager level or above.

ADDITIONAL OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in a related field (shipping, naval, political science, legal) preferred.
• Knowledge of international and European shipping legislation. Ability to explain technical and operational realities clearly to non-industry stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal skills: a positive approach with a self-learning attitude.
• Professional background in the EU institutions relating to relevant policy areas, such as sustainability, travel and tourism, green energy transition, maritime, or transport.
• Attention to detail and focus on RCG’s business objectives.

What We Offer. At Royal Caribbean Group, we are client-centric but put people first. We have a culture where everyone is trusted and valued in equal measure, whatever your role in the company. We are propelled by people. Our employees and crew are the driving force behind our success. Our aim is to recruit, develop and retain world class people, who come to Royal Caribbean to do the best work of their careers.

We are committed to employee development, and you will have the opportunity to learn from some of the most experienced people in the business. We regularly reward and promote success, encouraging staff to take on new challenges and responsibilities to aid progression.

Our remuneration package includes our competitive pension, private healthcare, life assurance cover to name a few. In addition, every permanent member of staff that works at Royal Caribbean is eligible for our cruise request program and friends & family cruise discounts.

With good transport links to our modern offices in Surrey, we have plenty of free parking, a free shuttle bus from the train station, on-site restaurant, and on-site gym. We take a flexible approach to work. We currently work a combination of days in the office and work from home.

Come join the team - Journey with us, succeed with us, grow with us.

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.

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-IN1