VP, Technical Operations

The VP of Technical Operations will serve as a key strategic and operational leader to support the safe, compliant, and efficient operation of our fleet. Reporting directly to the SVP of Technical Operations, this role will serve as a critical link between the fleet and shoreside leadership, with direct oversight of vessel maintenance strategy, drydock execution, engineering performance, and technical compliance. The VP will provide technical leadership and direction to fleet engineering teams, internal stakeholders, and third-party service providers to drive performance, sustainability, and continuous improvement across the fleet.

Responsibilities

• Fleet Technical Management

  • Provide strategic and operational leadership over shipboard technical operations, including mechanical, propulsion, electrical, HVAC, and structural systems.

  • Serve as the escalation point for complex engineering challenges, collaborating closely with Technical Operations Directors/ Managers and relevant shipboard technical leaders as well as cross-departmental leads.

  • Ensure all technical operations meet or exceed requirements under SOLAS, MARPOL, ISM Code, Flag State, Class, and corporate HESS policies.

• Maintenance & Drydock Planning 

  • Lead the strategic development and execution of major drydock projects, including scope development, contractor selection, budget adherence, and delivery timelines.

  • Direct lifecycle management and scheduling of major drydock including cost estimation, contractor negotiations, and project execution oversight.

  • Drive adoption of predictive and condition-based maintenance practices to improve reliability and minimize unplanned downtime.  

• Operational Performance & Efficiency

  • Develop and track key technical KPIs (e.g., fuel consumption, technical downtime, maintenance backlog) and recommend data-driven interventions to improve performance.

  • Collaborate with the Environmental and Marine Operations teams to implement energy efficiency initiatives and reduce carbon intensity.

  • Partner with the Fuel & Energy Management team to support CCL’s decarbonization strategy and compliance with IMO 2030/2050 objectives.

  • Partner with procurement and supply chain to evaluate technical vendor performance, improve spare parts logistics, and standardize critical components across the fleet.

  • Ensure all systems and processes comply with environmental standards and Carnival’s sustainability commitments, including emissions reduction, waste treatment, and energy efficiency.

• Safety, Risk & Compliance 

  • Champion a safety-first culture across shipboard and shoreside teams; support root cause analysis and corrective actions following technical incidents.

  • Lead technical audits and inspections, coordinate with internal auditors and external regulators on safety and compliance reviews.

• Leadership & Collaboration

  • Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of technical professionals including Technical Operations Directors, managers, technical superintendents.

  • Provide feedback on development and succession planning of shipboard engineering leadership roles.

  • Foster cross-functional collaboration with Marine Operations, Environmental Compliance, Finance, and Supply Chain, and Finance teams to align strategies, share resources, and manage costs.

• Performs other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical discipline.

• Chief Engineer license or equivalent credential preferred.

• Master’s degree is a plus.

• Demonstrated expertise in marine systems, drydock execution, fuel optimization, and regulatory compliance.

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