Job Description

Regional Head of Operations
Location: Accra, Ghana

A leading global shipping line is seeking a Regional Head of Operations to lead vessel and portside operations across West & South Africa.

Based in Accra, this is a high-impact leadership role at the heart of regional marine operations. As Regional Head of Operations, you will oversee vessel execution, terminal performance, and operational strategy across multiple countries, ensuring safe, reliable, and cost-efficient operations while building high-performing teams and strong stakeholder partnerships.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead end-to-end vessel operations across West & South Africa, ensuring reliable execution of coastal and mainline schedules in close coordination with agency teams, vessel planning, and global marine operations
• Oversee safe and compliant cargo handling, including special cargo (e.g., project cargo, OOG), ensuring adherence to IMDG and safety standards
• Act as the senior escalation point for operational disruptions and vessel incidents, coordinating rapid and effective resolution with internal and external stakeholders
• Drive port productivity and vessel turnaround performance, embedding a high-performance and continuous improvement culture across the region
• Build and manage strategic relationships with terminal operators, port authorities, pilotage, and marine service providers
• Lead cost optimisation initiatives, controlling terminal and marine spend while minimising inefficiencies such as delays, restows, and deviations
• Partner with vessel and network planning teams to optimise berth windows, vessel deployment, schedule integrity, and capacity utilisation
• Oversee regional contingency planning, ensuring clear decision-making on operational exceptions such as port omissions, delays, and inducements
• Support procurement and vendor management, contributing to terminal tenders, supplier selection, and performance management across marine and terminal operations
• Lead, coach, and develop regional operations teams, ensuring consistent governance, KPI delivery, and high service standards across all locations

Who You Are

• You are a Master Mariner with significant shore-based experience, or hold a degree in Shipping, Logistics, Supply Chain, or an MBA with extensive senior leadership experience in container liner operations
• You bring deep expertise in marine and vessel operations, with strong knowledge of liner operations and the wider logistics ecosystem
• You have a proven track record of leading regional or multi-country operations, working across matrix organisations and engaging with global headquarters
• You are highly skilled in stakeholder management, with experience engaging port authorities, terminals, and marine vendors at a senior level
• You demonstrate strong analytical and communication skills, with the ability to present operational insights to senior leadership
• You are a people-focused leader, capable of developing teams across multiple geographies and driving cross-functional collaboration
• You are comfortable operating in a fast-paced, complex environment, managing competing priorities and driving performance
• You are willing to travel internationally (20–40%)

Why Join?

• A strategic leadership role within a global shipping organisation, with responsibility for a critical and high-growth region
• The opportunity to shape marine operations, terminal performance, and operational strategy across West & South Africa
• A dynamic, international environment with close collaboration across regional and global teams
• Strong focus on innovation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement
• Opportunities for professional growth and long-term career development

Take the Next Step in Your Career

If you're ready to take the next step in your career and take on the Regional Head of Operations role, or would like to find out more information, then we want to hear from you.

Please apply now to start a confidential conversation with our executive search team. We'll support you through every step of the process and ensure this move adds real value to your career.