Principal Director – Marine

LOCATION: Walsingham House, 35 Seething Lane, London, EC3N 4AH

REPORTING TO: Secretary General

WORKING WITH: Secretary General, Members of the Senior Leadership Team, Members of the Marine Department, and Other members of the ICS Secretariat as required. National and regional shipowner associations, IMO Secretariat, heads of delegations and representatives of IMO Member States, IGOs and NGOs.

ABOUT ICS: The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is a not-for-profit London-based trade association for shipowners and operators, representing the world’s national shipowner associations and over 80% of the world’s merchant fleet. Established in 1921, its purpose is to ensure the development, promotion and application of best practices throughout the shipping industry, encompassing issues of maritime affairs, shipping policy and technical matters, including ship construction, operation, safety and management. ICS is also the leading industry body promoting sustainable and equitable decarbonisation of the industry.

JOB SUMMARY: The Principal Director – Marine reports directly to the ICS Secretary General and acts as Head of the Marine Department. The Principal Director – Marine is a member of the ICS Senior Leadership Team. Responsible for the overall operations of the Marine Department, including prioritisation, coordination, and delivery of all ICS marine activities and objectives in line with members’ expectations. Develops ICS policy on technical, operational, security and environmental issues in coordination with the Secretary General, relevant ICS committees and members of the marine department leading respective subject briefs. Acts as ICS Accredited Representative to IMO and ICS Head of Delegation. Represents ICS at other external meetings as necessary.

JOB CONTENT:

• As a member of the SLT: Develops, implements and reviews the ICS strategy; monitors ICS performance; makes high level decisions affecting the direction of the organisation.
• Represents the Marine Department at the ICS Board meetings and AGM.
• Acts as ICS accredited representative to the IMO.
• Manages the Marine Department, provides leadership, support and direction to the members of the Marine department.
• Appraises staff performance and development needs.
• Heads ICS representation at the IMO, acts as the focal point for discussions with other heads of delegations including member state Permanent Representatives, makes interventions as necessary, coordinates staff activities at all meetings, develops/reviews meeting briefs and submissions.
• Leads ICS subject briefs as identified and assigned.
• Leads ICS cooperation in industry related activities.
• Represents ICS at external meetings and conferences related to marine activities.
• Horizon scanning for new marine work items for the benefit of ICS members.
• Reviews the agendas, meeting notes and minutes for ICS technical committees, developing industry positions on technical, operational and environmental issues affecting ships.
• Promotes status and/or influence of ICS through membership of external industry bodies as appropriate.
• Identification and development of new publications, management of revisions, reviewing for quality and drafting as appropriate, along with support of other commercial activities as appropriate.
• General support as needed to all departments/members of staff outside the Marine Department & ensuring appropriate coordination with other departments by Marine Department staff.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Excellent marine technical and operational knowledge through a combination of education, qualification and practical experience.
• Educated to degree or equivalent professional level, ideally within a maritime environment such as Master Mariner, Chartered Engineer or Naval Architecture.
• Ability to effectively manage a department and its people.
• Knowledge of and ability to develop and apply quality management principles.
• Senior management experience in the marine industry.
• Excellent communication skills in English, with attention to accuracy and detail.
• Logical, analytical thinking, process driven.
• Ability to explain complex arguments concisely but comprehensibly.
• Sound public communication skills, with a willingness to present arguments at intergovernmental meetings, public meetings, industry committees, etc.
• Good general knowledge (and interest) in politics and international affairs.
• Ability to grasp and understand a wide range of political, commercial and technical issues quickly.
• Ability to be diplomatic when explaining positions.
• Familiarity with SOLAS, MARPOL and other IMO regulations.
• Familiarity with departmental budgeting & cost control.
• Comfortable with statistics.
• Willingness to work flexibly.
• Willingness to travel abroad.
• Proficient using Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel and Word.

To Apply: Please send your CV and a Two-Page Cover letter explaining why you are suitable for the job to emmy.ramirez@ics-shipping.org by Friday, 23 August 2024. Interviews will be held in London on Monday 9 September 2024. Please demonstrate in your cover letter that you have the right to work in the UK.