Technical and Marine Operations Director
| Posting date: | 20 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £120,000 to £150,000 per year |
| Additional salary information: | Competitive |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 03 April 2026 |
| Location: | Southampton, SO15 1GX |
| Company: | Saga |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | saga/TP/135599/3438 |
Summary
Technical and Marine Operations Director
Salary £120,000 to £150,000 depending on experience
Permanent
Southampton
Step up to a pivotal leadership role at Saga Cruises, where your expertise will be at the heart of our Ocean team's success. Following an internal promotion, we're seeking a dynamic Technical and Marine Operations Director to take the helm and steer our fleet towards a safe, sustainable, and commercially thriving future. This is a rare opportunity for someone ready to make a significant impact in a prestigious organisation renowned for its excellence and innovation.
Enjoy true influence as you oversee operational budgets and lead both shore and onboard departments, working in partnership with our external ship management company. Your vision will drive a functioning, forward-thinking, and effective fleet, ensuring the highest standards across every aspect of our operation.
Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, you’ll collaborate closely with the Hotel Operations Director, placing guest satisfaction and ship appearance at the forefront. Safety and marine compliance underpin everything we do, creating a rewarding environment for both guests and crew alike.
This is your chance to own Saga’s partnership with the external ship management company, ensuring operational budgets, governance, fleet performance and KPIs are not just met, but exceeded. Your strategic leadership will shape technical resilience, asset management, vessel upgrades, and the development of business cases that drive our progression. You’ll assess and cultivate the skills and qualifications needed for today and tomorrow, leaving your mark on the future of Saga Cruises.
We are looking for a visionary leader who can take a strategic approach to technical operations, championing asset management, vessel upgrades, and developing business cases that propel us forwards. Your expertise will ensure our operations are robust, resilient and ready for the future.
Based in Southampton, you’ll join a team that thrives on collaboration and frequent travel to ships in operation and at turnaround ports. No two days will be alike – your work will be dynamic, varied, and deeply rewarding.
At Saga, we recognise that our people make us special. We believe our colleagues deserve rewards for the excellence they demonstrate every single day, that's why we have put together an amazing benefits package for all colleagues.
BENEFITS AVAILABLE FOR THIS ROLE:
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays
- Option to purchase additional leave - 5 extra days
- Pension scheme matched up to 10%
Exec level car allowance
- Exec level bonus scheme
- Private medical scheme
- Life assurance policy on joining us, 4 x salary, plus pension supplement
- Wellbeing programme
- Colleague discounts including family discounts on cruises, holidays and insurance
- Range of reductions and offers from leading retailers, travel groups and entertainment companies
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
- Grandparents leave
- Income protection
• Lead the daily operation and itinerary delivery of our vessels, driving operational excellence to enhance guest experience and ensure safety, compliance and sustainability.
• Take ownership of budgets for Repairs and Maintenance, Technical Procurement, Port Costs, strategic initiatives, innovation and vessel CAPEX.
• Champion emissions verification and fuel efficiency, collaborating with finance and regulatory teams to deliver sustainable outcomes.
• Act as the operational lead on Marine and Technical Risk and Assurance, participate in key committees, and chair our Safety Committee.
• Work in partnership with crewing management to ensure departments are efficiently staffed and professionals are developed for future success.
• Promote consistent policy adherence, integrity and due diligence, always upholding Saga’s Business Code of Conduct.
You will be an accomplished professional with proven director-level experience in operations. Your leadership will inspire and motivate teams, and you’ll effortlessly build strong relationships across stakeholders and partners. You will thrive in complex environments, providing strategic direction, and driving initiatives that make a real difference.
We’re looking for:
• Cruise experience with European and worldwide knowledge
• Flexibility and willingness to travel across Europe and internationally
• Strategic technical resilience and asset management planning
• Expertise in fleet performance and technical management
• Commercial acumen, including contract and fuel management experience
• Ability to nurture and develop stakeholder relationships
• Visible leadership of large matrix teams and a passion for developing talent
• Experience in mentoring, coaching and team management
• Flexibility, adaptability and exceptional attention to detail
• Self-motivation with calmness under pressure
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent reasoning and problem-solving abilities
Desirable:
• Technical degree or equivalent qualifications
Saga Values: Make it Happen, Do the Right Thing, Customer First, Excellence Every Day, Our People Make Us Special
Over the past 75 years we have become the UK's specialist provider of products and services to people aged over 50 in the UK. We’re the most trusted brand amongst UK consumers in this demographic, recognised for high-quality products and exceptional standards of service. Our product portfolio includes cruises, holidays, insurance, personal finance products and our Saga Magazine.
Our focus on delivering exceptional products and service empowers our colleagues to create moments that are personal and special for our customers and for each other and our values underpin our approach and help guide us to deliver our purpose.
We’re committed to making sure that colleagues can be their best, be themselves and make a difference – more than anywhere else. We have done this by creating a truly inclusive culture, where all colleagues can bring their full and authentic selves to work and be treated with dignity and respect in an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.
Thanks to our people, Saga was awarded with a Gold for Best Customer Centric Culture in 2025. This is testament to the great culture we’ve built together. This award belongs to all our colleagues who collectively make Saga a fantastic place to work.
We are champions of age inclusivity and signatories of the Age-Friendly Employer Pledge, we are proud of our multigenerational teams we have in place. We’re also a committed Disability Confident employer and ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible. Your application will have fair consideration, and you’ll receive personal communication throughout your applicant journey when you apply to join Saga.
Saga does not accept agency CVs unless specifically engaged on the role by the Talent Acquisition Team. Please do not forward CVs to our recruiters, employees or any other company location. Saga will not be responsible for any fees related to CVs received in this unsolicited manner.
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