Job Description
Are you a strategic leader with a passion for maritime excellence and large-scale project delivery? Carnival UK is seeking a dynamic and experienced Director, Refits & Strategic Projects to lead our fleetwide Asset Management programme across the P&O Cruises and Cunard brands.
In this pivotal role, you will oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of our rolling refit programme and strategic dry dock projects. You’ll collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure our vessels remain fit-for-purpose, compliant, and aligned with our corporate goals—delivering exceptional guest satisfaction through world-class ship condition.
Key Objectives:
* Lead the end-to-end delivery of refit and strategic projects, ensuring alignment with timelines, budgets, and specifications.
* Manage a cross-functional team including Senior Managers, Superintendents, and external contractors.
* Act as the primary contact for major dry dockings and strategic initiatives, including emergency interventions.
* Develop and maintain strategic project plans, capital budgets, and vessel condition roadmaps.
* Ensure compliance with SOLAS, IMO, Class, and Flag regulations.
* Drive continuous improvement through effective stakeholder engagement, governance, and reporting.
* Create and implement Executive summary reports for future strategic changes needed within the fleet.
* Identify and recommend costed resource requirements to support development and planning.
Our role categories range from CUK15 (entry level) to CUK1 (Brand President), providing internal development opportunities. This role is classified as CUK05 and is offered on a full-time, permanent basis, with at least three days based in our Southampton office.
About You
Fresh ideas and different perspectives are what excite us most and help us to succeed. Alongside bringing these to the role, you’ll also need:
* A Certificate of Competency or a marine-related degree/HND/HNC.
* Extensive experience in dry dock and maritime operations, with project budgets up to £100M.
* Strong understanding of maritime regulations and commercial project management.
* Proven leadership in managing diverse teams and complex logistics.
* Excellent communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills.
* Project Management qualifications and sea-time experience (desirable).
Being part of our team has its advantages…
This is a high-impact leadership role where you'll shape the future of our fleet's operational excellence. You'll work in a collaborative, values-driven environment that champions innovation, safety, and sustainability.
We’re a holiday company, so we understand there’s more to life than work. Our comprehensive range of benefits are designed to support your personal and financial health and wellbeing.
* Employee Discounted Cruising plus Friends and Family offers
* Annual bonus
* Minimum 25 days leave, bank holiday allowance, and holiday trading scheme
* Employee-led networks
* Employee Assistance and Wellbeing programmes
* Recognition scheme with prizes and awards
* Contributory Defined Contribution Pension scheme
* Company-paid private medical and dental insurance and health assessments
* In-house Occupational Health help and access to digital GP
* Life Assurance
* Parental and adoption leave
* Employee Shares Plan
* Electric Car and Cycle to Work schemes
* Onsite restaurant offering healthy cooked and grab-and-go meals
* Discounted retail and leisure via discounts portal
We work flexibly and will help you find a healthy balance of remote work and time in our Southampton office, collaborating, participating in events, and building connections that make working with us rewarding. We welcome discussions on reduced hours and job share arrangements.
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