Head of Entertainment in Ipswich

This is a Full‑Time, permanent position working 35 hours per week. Based shoreside, the role follows a hybrid working pattern and includes time at our Head Office in Ipswich, as well as visits to our ships, typically at least twice a month to stay closely connected to the onboard product and teams. You'll also collaborate regularly with Fred. Olsen colleagues and external suppliers to ensure our entertainment offering remains exceptional and aligned with our brand.

While it would be highly advantageous for candidates to have previously worked onboard a cruise ship in a similar role, we also welcome applications from those who have held senior entertainment positions shoreside and can demonstrate a strong grasp of the operational realities of life at sea. To be successful in this role you will need to have:

• Senior leadership experience in cruise, leisure and live entertainment environments.
• Commercial awareness, including budget ownership.
• Experience managing third‑party entertainment suppliers.
• Excellent creative judgement, with strong brand sensitivity.
• Ability to balance guest experience, creativity and commercial outcomes.
• Strong understanding of the on‑board product and ways of working at sea.

Responsibilities

• Act as the intelligent client‑owning entertainment strategy, creative direction, budget oversight and supplier governance.
• Drive exceptional guest experiences and support onboard revenue performance.
• Manage RWS through clearly defined Service Level Agreements (SLAs) to deliver consistently high standards across all ships.
• Work in close partnership with RWS Global to ensure the entertainment and enrichment offering remains brand‑aligned, financially disciplined, creatively ambitious and constantly evolving.

Benefits

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines offer a wide range of benefits including Axa Health Private medical, Life Assurance, enhanced maternity and paternity pay, discounted holidays and cruises, plus retail discounts and cash back incentives through our Boost Benefits scheme.

Values

We are caring – we trust and care for each other, our guests and our environment. We always deliver a warm and friendly welcome, listen and look out for each other's safety and well‑being, and aim to protect the environment for future generations. We are positive – we live and share a positive attitude, motivate with positive energy, embrace creativity, learn, add value and make a difference. We are real – we are ourselves, respect and embrace all personalities and cultures, admit when we are wrong, act honestly and encourage open communication. We are a team – we are more than a team; we are a family, sharing experiences, learning together, adapting, responding and pulling together to drive results.

Equal Opportunity & Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

As an equal opportunity employer, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage reasonable adjustments during the application and interview process, and we are ready to provide support where needed.