At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Chief Maritime Officer in leading a complex maritime organisation and drive key initiatives.
- Company: Join Carnival Corporation, a leader in unforgettable holiday experiences with a global fleet.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, travel perks, and comprehensive benefits including health insurance and generous leave.
- Other info: Hybrid work options available, fostering a culture of growth, wellbeing, and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on maritime operations while shaping the future of holiday experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in Industrial Engineering or consulting, with strong leadership and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
At Carnival Corporation, we bring the world's most extraordinary vacations to life. With a global fleet sailing to hundreds of destinations, we are driven by a passion for safe operations, environmental stewardship, and unforgettable guest experiences. Behind every voyage is a dedicated team charting the course—and our maritime organisation is at the heart of that mission.
We're looking for an exceptional Chief of Staff to partner with our Chief Maritime Officer and help lead one of the most complex maritime organisations in the world. This is a role for someone who thrives on challenge, navigates complexity with confidence, and brings the discipline, judgment, and leadership expected of a best-in-class Chief of Staff.
This is not a role for the faint-hearted. You'll be supporting high-stakes decision-making, coordinating across global brands and ship operations, and ensuring that our commitment to safety, sustainability, and operational excellence is advanced every single day. If you operate at your best when expectations are high and the pace is fast, you'll feel right at home here.
What You'll Do
- Drive Clarity, Focus, and Follow-Through: Work side by side with the CMO to align on priorities and ensure critical maritime initiatives land with impact. Anticipate needs, remove obstacles, and create structure in a dynamic, matrixed environment.
- Lead with Insight and Precision: Prepare executive briefings, analyses, and presentations that translate complex maritime topics into clear, actionable insights. Serve as a trusted advisor who can challenge thinking, sharpen strategy, and elevate decision-making.
- Orchestrate Across a Global Fleet: Ensure seamless communication and coordination across Safety, Marine Operations, Environmental Compliance, Technical Services, Fleet Management, and brand maritime teams. Help the organisation stay disciplined, accountable, and aligned on key operational goals.
- Champion Key Projects and Initiatives: Drive cross-functional maritime programs—from transformation efforts to fleet efficiency and safety enhancement projects. Monitor progress, risks, and outcomes with a steady hand and a solutions-oriented mindset.
- Strengthen the Maritime Organisation: Support leadership rhythms, operating processes, and cultural alignment within a global team. Foster collaboration built on trust, transparency, and Carnival's service-oriented values.
Who You Are
A seasoned operator with a background in Industrial Engineering, consulting, or comparable environments. A natural integrator who excels at bringing order to complexity and maintaining calm under pressure. A sharp communicator who can brief senior executives with clarity and confidence. A relationship-builder who can influence without authority and build trust across brands, cultures, and time zones. A strategic thinker who can zoom out to the big picture and dive in when hands-on leadership is needed. Someone who embraces accountability, pace, and high expectations—and delivers consistently.
Why This Role Matters
Our maritime team is responsible for the safe and sustainable operation of our global fleet. As Chief of Staff to the CMO, you will help shape the future of that mission. Your work will directly support operational excellence, environmental leadership, and the guest experience that millions of travellers count on.
What You'll Gain
A high-impact role with visibility across Carnival Corporation's global leadership. Opportunities to influence major decisions and drive meaningful improvements in maritime operations. Competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and travel perks—plus the satisfaction of supporting an industry-leading organisation.
Why Join Us?
Positioned within our internal structure from CUK15 (entry level) to CUK1 (Brand President), this role is classified as a CUK04 offered as a full-time or part-time position, on a permanent basis, with an offering of hybrid work including up to two days from home.
We're more than just a holiday company; we're a community that values work-life balance, personal growth, and wellbeing. As part of our team, you'll enjoy:
- Employee Discounted Cruising plus Friends and Family offers
- 25% Annual bonus
- Equity in Carnival UK
- Employee Shares Plan
- Minimum 25 days leave, bank holiday allowance and holiday trading scheme
- Regular office events including live entertainment, lifestyle events and charity partner fundraisers
- Extensive learning and development opportunities
- Employee-led networks
- Employee Assistance and Wellbeing programmes
- Contributory Defined Contribution Pension scheme
- Company paid private medical and dental insurance and health assessment
- In-house Occupational Health help and access to digital GP
- Life Assurance
- Parental and adoption leave
- Electric Car and Cycle to Work schemes
- Onsite restaurant offering range of healthy cooked and grab and go meals
- Discounted retail and leisure via discounts portal
Application Note: Due to the high volume of interest in our roles, we encourage early applications. This is your chance to contribute to a company that's setting the standard for holiday experiences. Apply today to be part of our journey to create joy and memories for our customers—and for you.
Don't let this opportunity sail away. Join us in making holiday dreams come true while advancing your career to new horizons.
Recruitment Journey
The recruitment journey for this role will start in Jan 2026, so please expect to hear from us in the New Year.
For more information on your recruitment journey, please visit here.
Chief of Staff (AVP, Maritime Strategy & Operations) to the Chief Maritime Officer in Southampton employer: Carnival UK (P&O Cruises & Cunard)
At Carnival Corporation, we pride ourselves on being more than just a holiday company; we are a community that champions work-life balance, personal growth, and employee wellbeing. As a Chief of Staff, you will enjoy competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and unique perks such as discounted cruising and extensive learning opportunities, all while contributing to an organisation dedicated to operational excellence and environmental stewardship in the maritime industry.
Contact Details:
Carnival UK (P&O Cruises & Cunard) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief of Staff (AVP, Maritime Strategy & Operations) to the Chief Maritime Officer in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Carnival Corporation on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Chief of Staff role. Personal connections can give you insights that no job description can.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into Carnival's values and mission. Understand their commitment to safety and sustainability, and think about how your background aligns with these principles. Show them you're not just a fit on paper, but also in spirit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a Chief of Staff, you'll need to convey complex ideas clearly. Try explaining maritime concepts to a friend or family member who knows nothing about the industry. If you can make it simple for them, you’ll impress the interviewers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Carnival family. Get your application in early to stand out from the crowd!
We think you need these skills to ace Chief of Staff (AVP, Maritime Strategy & Operations) to the Chief Maritime Officer in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the maritime industry shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about safe operations and creating unforgettable guest experiences.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills. We’re looking for someone who can navigate complexity with confidence, so showcase those leadership and strategic thinking abilities!
Be Clear and Concise:In your written application, clarity is key. Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. Remember, you’ll be preparing executive briefings in this role, so showing you can communicate effectively from the get-go is crucial.
Apply Early!:Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We encourage early applications due to high interest. Get your application in through our website and make sure you don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Carnival UK (P&O Cruises & Cunard)
✨Know Your Maritime Stuff
Before stepping into the interview, brush up on your maritime knowledge. Understand the latest trends in maritime operations, safety protocols, and environmental compliance. This will not only show your passion for the industry but also help you engage in meaningful discussions with the interviewers.
✨Prepare to Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Chief of Staff, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and influence without authority. Think of specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully navigated complex situations or led cross-functional teams. Be ready to share these stories to highlight your strategic thinking and relationship-building skills.
✨Anticipate Questions on Decision-Making
Expect questions that delve into your decision-making process, especially under pressure. Prepare to discuss how you approach high-stakes decisions and what frameworks you use to ensure clarity and focus. This is crucial for a role that supports the Chief Maritime Officer in critical initiatives.
✨Show Your Cultural Fit
Carnival Corporation values a culture of collaboration, trust, and service-oriented values. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs. Share examples of how you've fostered teamwork and transparency in previous roles, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
