Job Description

Holland America Line has been exploring the world since 1873. Our ships offer innovative features and enriching experiences focused on destination exploration and personalized travel, inviting guests to savor the journey.

The Manager, Fleet Safety, leads the implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of fleet safety and emergency preparedness programs across Holland America Line and Seabourn. The position is responsible for maintaining emergency preparedness documentation, supporting shipboard implementation of safety programs, coordinating fleet safety projects, and overseeing audit readiness, corrective action management, and risk assessment governance activities. The role works closely with shipboard and shoreside stakeholders to ensure safety programs remain effective, compliant, and operationally practical. In addition to supporting emergency preparedness initiatives, the Manager oversees fleet-wide safety improvement projects, reviews audit and inspection outcomes, monitors corrective action effectiveness, and supports selected dry dock safety and operational safety initiatives. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the position requires strong project management, analytical, communication, and collaboration skills to support continuous improvement, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence throughout the fleet.

Here’s a summary of what Holland America Line is looking for. Is this you?

Responsibilities

• Emergency Preparedness Program Maintenance & Implementation: Manage the implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of Emergency Response Plans (ERP), Emergency Duty Instructions (EDI), Evacuation Plans, assignment files, Emergency Towing Booklets, and associated emergency preparedness documentation across the Holland America Line and Seabourn fleets. Ensure emergency preparedness documentation remains accurate, current, and aligned with applicable international regulations, company standards, operational requirements, and vessel-specific configurations. Collaborate with shipboard and shoreside stakeholders to support the effective implementation of emergency preparedness programs and ensure consistency across the fleet. Conduct periodic reviews of emergency documentation and identify opportunities for process improvement, standardization, and operational efficiency. Support vessel modifications, organizational changes, regulatory updates, and operational initiatives by coordinating required documentation revisions and implementation activities. Monitor program effectiveness through audits, drills, inspections, and operational feedback, ensuring continuous improvement of fleet emergency preparedness capabilities.

• Emergency Training, Crew Readiness & Electronic Muster Program Management: Lead the administration, implementation, and continuous improvement of fleet emergency preparedness training programs and crew readiness initiatives. Serve as the primary owner of the EZ Muster program, including system governance, implementation support, performance monitoring, issue resolution coordination, user adoption, and continuous improvement activities across the Holland America Line and Seabourn fleets. Engage with shipboard and shoreside stakeholders to ensure the system remains effective, reliable, and aligned with operational and regulatory requirements. Support the administration and utilization of SkillGrader and other emergency preparedness systems used to assess crew competency and emergency response performance. Analyze training data, drill outcomes, audit findings, and operational feedback to identify trends, performance gaps, and opportunities for improvement. Partner with shipboard Training Officers, operational leaders, and subject matter experts to ensure training programs remain standardized, effective, and responsive to evolving operational risks. Support the implementation of new emergency preparedness tools, technologies, and training methodologies designed to strengthen crew readiness and emergency response capabilities. Promote a culture of preparedness through ongoing monitoring, communication, performance evaluation, and continuous improvement initiatives across the fleet.

• Safety Audit, Compliance & Corrective Action Management: Manage fleet-wide safety audit readiness, compliance monitoring, and assurance activities across Holland America Line and Seabourn. Review findings from internal audits, external audits, Flag State inspections, Class observations, Operational Safety Assessments (OSA), Emergency Management Reviews (EMR), and other safety assurance activities to identify recurring deficiencies, emerging risks, and opportunities for improvement. Monitor the development, implementation, and effectiveness of corrective and preventive actions arising from audits, inspections, investigations, and safety reviews. Conduct quality reviews of corrective action plans, risk assessments, and supporting documentation to ensure consistency, completeness, and alignment with company standards and regulatory requirements. Develop safety performance reports, audit trend analyses, and compliance metrics to support leadership decision-making and continuous improvement initiatives. Collaborate with shipboard and shoreside stakeholders to strengthen compliance performance, improve audit outcomes, and promote a culture of accountability and continuous improvement throughout the fleet.

• Fleet Safety Projects & Continuous Improvement: Lead Fleet Safety projects and strategic initiatives designed to improve safety performance, regulatory compliance, operational effectiveness, and risk reduction across the fleet. Manage project plans, stakeholder engagement, implementation activities, communications, timelines, deliverables, and performance tracking for assigned initiatives. Support the development and implementation of safety improvement programs including Safety by Design initiatives, audit improvement plans, procedural enhancements, technology implementations, system upgrades, and fleet-wide safety campaigns. Facilitate collaboration between shipboard and shoreside stakeholders to ensure successful project execution and long-term sustainability of implemented solutions. Identify opportunities to improve existing safety processes and drive continuous improvement through innovation, standardization, and best practice sharing.

• Risk Assessment Governance & Operational Safety Support: Support the continuous improvement of fleet risk management processes through the review and evaluation of shipboard risk assessments, investigations, operational safety programs, and dry dock safety activities. Conduct quality reviews of risk assessments to ensure hazards, controls, and mitigation measures are appropriately identified, evaluated, and documented in accordance with company standards. Analyze trends identified through audits, incidents, observations, investigations, and operational feedback to identify opportunities for enhanced risk management and safety performance. Collaborate with shipboard and shoreside stakeholders to strengthen risk assessment methodologies, promote consistency, and share lessons learned across the fleet. Support dry dock safety management activities through participation in planning reviews, post-project evaluations, corrective action reviews, and safety performance assessments. Contribute to the development of practical solutions that reduce risk exposure and strengthen operational safety performance throughout the organization.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Scope: The Manager, Fleet Safety has a broad and lasting impact on the safety culture and emergency readiness of Holland America Line and Seabourn Cruise Line. By developing and maintaining Emergency Response Plans (ERPs), Emergency Duty Instructions (EDIs), and shipboard training programs, the role ensures that emergency protocols are compliant with international maritime regulations and tailored to each vessel’s unique operational needs. This work directly influences audit outcomes, crew performance, and the company’s ability to respond effectively to emergencies. Through tools like SkillGrader and the Electronic Mustering System (EZ Master), the Manager drives innovation and continuous improvement in safety training and performance tracking. Operating across both shoreside and shipboard environments, the role helps shape how emergency preparedness is approached, measured, and improved by collaborating with senior leadership, technical teams, and shipboard personnel to embed a proactive safety mindset—ultimately safeguarding guests, crew, and assets while reinforcing the company’s reputation for maritime safety excellence.

• Problem solving: This role demands advanced analytical thinking, operational foresight, and proactive problem-solving to ensure the accuracy, compliance, and effectiveness of Emergency Response Plans (ERPs) across a diverse fleet. The Manager, Fleet Safety is responsible for interpreting complex and evolving international maritime safety regulations and translating them into actionable, scalable procedures and documentation aligned with corporate standards and shipboard realities. Typical challenges include resolving discrepancies in SkillGrader performance data across vessels just days before audits, requiring swift root-cause analysis—whether due to data entry errors, training gaps, or system issues—and coordination with shipboard teams and IT. The role also anticipates disruptions such as last-minute changes to muster list formats or revisions to evacuation plans following onboard organizational changes, applying critical thinking and project management skills to implement updates without compromising safety or compliance. Success depends on the ability to synthesize technical information, foresee risks, and deliver practical solutions under pressure that maintain safety and regulatory alignment across all vessels.

• Impact: The Manager, Fleet Safety has a broad and lasting impact on the safety culture and emergency readiness of Holland America Line and Seabourn Cruise Line. By developing and maintaining Emergency Response Plans (ERPs), Emergency Duty Instructions (EDIs), and shipboard training programs, the role ensures that emergency protocols are compliant with international maritime regulations and tailored to each vessel’s unique operational needs. This work directly influences the preparedness and performance of shipboard teams, audit outcomes, and the company’s ability to respond effectively to emergencies. Through tools like SkillGrader and the Electronic Mustering System (EZ Master), the Manager drives innovation and continuous improvement in safety training and performance tracking. Operating across both shoreside and shipboard environments, the role shapes how emergency preparedness is approached, measured, and improved by collaborating with senior leadership, technical teams, and shipboard personnel to embed a proactive safety mindset—ultimately safeguarding guests, crew, and assets while reinforcing the company’s reputation for maritime safety excellence.

• Leadership: While the Manager, Fleet Safety does not have direct reports, the role requires strong leadership through influence, project ownership, and cross-functional coordination across shipboard and shoreside teams. Operating with considerable autonomy, the Manager leads fleet-wide initiatives that directly impact emergency preparedness and compliance, including the development and implementation of Emergency Response Plans (ERPs), Emergency Duty Instructions (EDIs), and training programs. The role involves guiding shipboard officers, collaborating with shoreside departments and external stakeholders, and managing the deployment of systems like SkillGrader and the Electronic Mustering System (EZ Master), often across multiple vessels and departments. Though not responsible for a formal budget, the Manager influences resource allocation and contributes to cost-effective safety solutions through data-driven recommendations and process improvements. Leadership is demonstrated through subject matter expertise, operational foresight, and the ability to drive change in a complex, safety-critical environments supporting audit readiness, regulatory alignment, and continuous improvement.

Essential/Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Maritime Nautical Sciences, Marine Engineering, or a related maritime discipline is required.

• Preferred certifications include Safety Officer, 1st Engineer, or equivalent credentials recognized within the maritime industry.

• Strong knowledge of international maritime safety regulations and emergency preparedness standards.

• Proficiency in managing safety documentation systems and digital tools such as SkillGrader and electronic mustering platforms.

• Demonstrated ability to interpret technical documentation and apply regulatory requirements to operational procedures.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence across shipboard and shoreside teams.

Essential Experience Required:

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in emergency response planning and operations, ideally within the cruise ship or broader marine industry.

• Proven track record in developing, implementing, and maintaining Emergency Response Plans (ERPs), Emergency Duty Instructions (EDIs), and evacuation protocols.

• Experience designing and evaluating shipboard emergency training programs using performance metrics and audit feedback.

• Hands-on experience managing compliance systems and supporting internal and external audit processes.

• Familiarity with international regulatory frameworks (e.g., SOLAS, ISM Code) and their application to fleet safety operations.

• Experience leading cross-functional safety initiatives and contributing to enterprise-level emergency management strategies.

Travel: More than 50% non-shipboard travel likely

Work Conditions: Work primarily in a climate-controlled environment with minimal safety/health hazard potential.

Physical Demands: Must be able to remain in a stationary position at a desk and/or computer for extended periods of time.

This position is classified as “in-office.” As an in-office role, it requires employees to work from a designated Carnival office in South Florida Monday through Thursday each week.

What You Can Expect

• Cruise and Travel Privileges for You and Your Family
• Health Benefits
• 401(k)
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Training & Professional Development
• Tuition & Professional Certification Reimbursement
• Base Salary Range $100,000 to $112,300 The range is applicable for the labor market where the role is intended to be hired. Final base salary is directly related to each candidate’s qualifications and experience uniquely.

Our Culture…Stronger Together

Our highest responsibility and top priority is compliance, environmental protection and the health, safety and well-being of our guests, the people in the communities we touch and serve, and our shipboard and shoreside employees. Please visit our site to learn more about our Culture Essentials, Corporate Vision Statement and our Core Values at:https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/our-company/mission-values.html

Holland America is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Holland America will provide reasonable accommodations with the application process, upon your request, as required to comply with applicable laws. If you have a disability and require assistance in this application process, please contact recruiting@hollandamericagroup.com

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