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TUI Group • Luton, United Kingdom

Cruise Operations Director

Employment type:  Full time
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Job Description

We're looking for an experienced cruise operations leader to take the helm of our fleet operations, ensuring we deliver unforgettable holidays for our guests while driving operational excellence across our five ships.

The role will be published until 24th April.

ABOUT THE JOB

  • You'll oversee day-to-day operations across our fleet of five ships with nearly 10,000 lower berths, managing a significant operating cost base and capital investments.
  • Working alongside our CEO and executive team, you'll shape and execute strategic initiatives that drive growth, innovation and long-term sustainability for Marella Cruises.
  • Leading a diverse workforce of nearly 2,500 people across head office and onboard teams, you'll build a culture focused on delivering exceptional service throughout our guests' entire journey.
  • You'll be accountable for compliance, health & safety, security and risk management across our complex 24/7, 365-day global operation, including regular ship inspections and relationship management with regulatory authorities.
  • Driving our sustainability strategy forward, you'll implement initiatives that enhance our environmental performance while ensuring we exceed the expectations of over 375,000 customers annually.
  • As a Statutory Director of Marella Cruises Ltd, you'll fulfil all statutory duties and legal requirements in the best interest of the company.

ABOUT YOU

  • You bring relevant experience in senior operational roles within the cruise or maritime industry, with a demonstrated track record of managing large-scale operations involving significant budgets and workforces.
  • Your leadership style inspires and motivates large, diverse teams, and you're skilled at building cultures that prioritise exceptional customer service and operational excellence.
  • You have in-depth knowledge of maritime regulations, health & safety standards and risk management, along with relevant maritime certifications.
  • Strategic planning and project management are strengths of yours, and you've successfully delivered complex capital projects on time and within budget.
  • Your communication and interpersonal skills are exceptional, enabling you to build strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels, from ship captains to regulatory authorities and C-suite executives.
  • You're passionate about driving innovation and sustainability initiatives that make a real difference to our operations and the environment.

From a workplace to a place to belong. At TUI we embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion, encouraging everyone to come as you are, because together, our potential is limitless.


We are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities and impairments so if you require any support, please do let us know.

Company benefits

Accrued annual leave
Adoption leave
Annual bonus
Annual pay rises
Bank holiday swaps
Neurodiversity assessment – As part of our private medical cover (available to eligible colleagues), you'll get access to Neurodiversity Assessment and Support for you and eligible family members aged 7 and over
Bike parking
Buddy scheme
Buy or sell annual leave
Car allowance
Career and family coaching
Carer’s leave
Charity donation scheme
Chill out zone
Cinema discounts
Coaching
Coffee discounts
Collaboration spaces – In Luton - Brand-new games area with a pool table which doubles as a ping pong table, a darts board, an air hockey table and sofa seats
Company car
Company freebies
Compassionate leave
Complimentary Medical Services
Cycle to work scheme
Dental coverage
Eldercare services
Electric Car Salary Sacrifice
Emergency leave
Employee assistance programme
Employee discounts
Employee recognition scheme
Enhanced maternity leave
Enhanced paternity leave
Enhanced pension match/contribution
Enhanced sick pay
Eye Care Support
Faith rooms
Financial advice
Financial coaching
Further education support
Gym membership
Hackathons
Health insurance
In house training
L&D budget
Language lessons
Learning platform
Legal consults
Life assurance – We provide a Life Assurance benefit which means that in the event of your death, while employed by TUI, a lump sum would be payable to your beneficiaries.
Life insurance
Lunch and learns
Meditation space
Menopause support
Mental health days
Mental health pathway
Mental health platform access
Mentoring
Neo-natal leave
On-site catering
On-site wellness room – In Luton - wellbeing room dedicated to physical and mind wellbeing which complements our existing male and female faith and reflection rooms
On-site wellness services – In Luton - Dedicated beauty room offering a calming space where colleagues can book some pamper time with a beauty therapist to keep nails, brows and lashes looking tip top
Open to part time work for some roles
Open to part-time employees
Personal development budgets
Personal development days
Physiotherapy
Pregnancy loss leave
Pregnancy support
Private GP service
Professional subscriptions
Religious celebration leave
Restaurant discounts
Sabbaticals
Salary sacrifice
Share options
Shared parental leave
Study support
Surrogacy leave
Teambuilding days
Time off in-lieu
Travel credit
Travel insurance
Volunteer days
Will writing
Women’s health leave
Work from anywhere scheme – TUI WORKWIDE means colleagues can work from abroad for up to 30 working days a year

Working at TUI Group

Company employees:

66,845 globally

Gender diversity (m:f):

43:57

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Awards & Accreditations

1st – Career Progression

1st – Career Progression

Flexa awards 2025
2nd – Flexible

2nd – Flexible

Flexa awards 2025
WFA

WFA

Flexa awards 2025
Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity and Inclusion

Flexa awards 2025
Most flexible companies

Most flexible companies

Flexa100 2024

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