29/07/2025 Head of Planning and Transformation Portsmouth, United Kingdom

Do you want to be a valued part of the critical infrastructure that serves communities across Europe and beyond? Are you looking for a position in which you can set direction and help shape our company? If so, then you could be the newest addition to our team as Head of Planning and Transformation. Be part of the movement - and play your part.

About the role

The role is responsible for all transformational and strategic aspects of DFDS’ Jersey business including selected tactical aspects covering the Jersey-Portsmouth, Jersey-Poole, and Jersey-St-Malo routes and will be a core member of the Jersey Leadership team. The role will lead a small team, based in Portsmouth, with the remaining Jersey leadership team located in Jersey including the Route Director. Thus, travelling to Jersey is expected on a regular basis onboard DFDS’ vessels. The reason for the location in Portsmouth is to decentralise the physical presence of the leadership team across more locations. The Jersey business serves as a lifeline for Jersey residents by moving more than 60k freight units and 300k passengers per year which underlines the importance and significance of the role. The role will have to navigate in a dynamic, political, and international environment.

Transformational and strategic responsibilities

The main element of the role is to develop and drive all transformation and strategic aspects of DFDS’ Jersey business. The main projects immediately requiring focus are the following, but the list may change over time with the needs of Jersey business:

• Electrification of Jersey and St-Malo Ports
• Liaise with Sustainable Fleet Department on requirements for new build High Speed Craft for the Jersey-St-Malo route
• New terminal project in Jersey including automation and digitalisation

To successfully deliver these projects the candidate must be able to:

• Create and visualise project plans
• Create business case in excel with support from the finance team
• Proactively drive progress across work streams through personal drive and grit
• Problem solve issues through projects by structured problem-solving skills
• Collaborate with key stakeholders across ports, governments, and private sector
• Collaborate with the wider DFDS organisation
• Report status and give updates to senior management in DFDS

Tactical responsibilities

Secondly, the role is responsible for certain tactical aspects of DFDS’ Jersey business including the following main responsibilities. The tactical responsibilities are typically done in annual cycles throughout the year with, e.g. release of summer schedules in the previous fall:

• Creating schedules across all routes including aligning and deconflicting with internal and external stakeholders
• Liaise with Technical Fleet Group Manager about timing for Drydocks and any commercial requirements
• Capacity management allocating freight and passenger capacity
• Continuous improvement, standardisation, etc.

To successfully deliver these projects the candidate must have:

• Good commercial understanding of the Jersey business to properly understand the relevant trade-offs
• Good understanding of the operational constraints of the Jersey operation
• High quantitative analytical skills to create scenarios
• Curiosity and be innovative to identify new solutions and explore new ideas
• Good stakeholder management skills to manage both internal and external stakeholders

Leadership of the Planning and Transformation team

The role is also responsible for leading the Planning and Transformation team. The first task is to recruit one to two analysts/project managers to support the Head of Planning and Transformation. Due to the green field nature of the Jersey business, the team is not currently existing. It is expected that the role can lead the team to exceptional results by motivation, incentives, training, and by being a role-model. More concretely the role must:

• Create and align clear expectations with direct reports and the wider team in line with company expectations and objectives
• Develop a feedback/coaching culture, promote problem solving and proactivity
• Facilitate development of the individual employee and the teams through coaching and sales training
• Collective ambition to achieve the highest net promoter score (NPS) within DFDS
• Constantly improving MyVoice scores
• Ensure optimal conditions for further development of the team spirit
• Identify and develop talent in the DFDS organisation

Collaboration with the wider DFDS organisation

It is expected that the role interacts actively with the wider DFDS organisation especially with the BU Channel team. The collaboration with the Dover Operational team is specifically important for many aspects of the role, including continuous improvement, digitalisation, automation, training, etc.

About you

Most importantly, you must have a strong analytical toolbox coupled with a proactive attitude and curious mindset (typically Master of Business, supply chain, etc.). It is also expected that you have a good understanding of supply chains ideally within the ferry industry. Finally, you must have strong people skills managing many different types of stakeholders in several jurisdictions. We think the strongest teams are built on diversity and inclusivity. Contrasting opinions, varied skills and strong characters bring out the best in us all. And we cannot wait for you to join.

Working at DFDS

Join the movement and grow with us. Now about what we can give you. You get the opportunity to join a new business area within DFDS in a senior management position with the power to shape the future Jersey business unit. That includes everything from the schedule we offer our customers to the look and feel of future vessels. You can expect a high sense of achievement because you will be involved in all relevant discussions and decisions related to the business. You’ll be able to access some fantastic benefits such as:

• Life assurance cover
• Contributory company pension scheme
• Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Free ferry travel for up to 4 guests between Dover and Calais / Newcastle and Amsterdam with no limit on trips
• Full employee assistance programme including: Proactive financial, emotional, mental, and physical health care support including face to face counselling, fast 24/7 access to a GP, a second medical opinion and legal support for colleagues and their family.
• Huge range of retail discounts from high street and online retailers
• Cashback on health care including dental, optical, physiotherapy, prescriptions, specialist consultations and much more.
• Access to Breeze, our award-winning Wellbeing platform.

While you’re with us, we want you to develop. At DFDS, we believe that development happens first and foremost through activities in the workplace. We will also offer training courses that can support you in your role, if needed.

Are we a match? Then what are you waiting for? Apply Now. If you think your personality, skills, experience, and desire match this role, we’d love to hear from you. Please send us your CV as soon as possible, as we’re keen to meet potential candidates on an ongoing basis. We look forward to hearing from you.