At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of innovative maritime services using AI and analytics.
- Company: Join Shipnet, a leader in maritime software with a remote-first culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, remote work, and continuous learning opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to collaboration and mental wellbeing.
- Why this job: Shape the future of maritime operations and drive real impact for customers.
- Qualifications: Experience in maritime operations and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
Location: Fully remote (UK)
Department: Operations (High Value Services)
Reporting to: Chief Operating Officer
Salary range: £60-£80k per annum depending on skills and experience
We’re building something new at Shipnet, and we need someone to help shape it. High Value Services (HVS) is a growing capability at the heart of our product and commercial strategy, combining data analytics with AI-enabled delivery to create measurable value for our customers. We’re looking for a senior, commercially minded builder to make it real.
AI is central to how this team works – not as a buzzword, but as a practical tool for accelerating analysis, surfacing patterns and delivering insight at scale. It’s not a role for someone who wants to run a reporting function or sell “AI magic”. It’s for someone who understands maritime operations, knows what good data insight looks like, and has the commercial backbone to build something that genuinely scales — while being clear about what belongs in HVS versus what belongs in Professional Services (PS) or Product.
The Strategic Services (SS) Lead is responsible for establishing and scaling Shipnet’s High Value Services (HVS) capability — the team that uses analytics, AI, and strategic engagements to make customers’ businesses stronger, and in doing so helps Shipnet move from selling functionality to selling outcomes. You'll shape what those services look like, and coordinate a small, focused team, including an AI-native engineer, to deliver them.
You’ll work across Product, R&D, Professional Services (PS), Sales, and Account Management (AM). You’ll be trusted to say yes to the right things — and no to the wrong ones.
What you’ll be doing
- Develop the HVS service portfolio: Define and evolve a clear HVS portfolio grounded in real customer pain points, maritime economics, and Shipnet’s data capability.
- Engage customers directly: Lead discovery conversations, insight playbacks, and executive-level storytelling with shipping companies and ship managers.
- Deliver HVS engagements end-to-end: Lead analytical work that turns messy operational data into commercially relevant insight, through to strategic builds and AI-enabled innovation collaborations.
- Build for repeatability and scale: Convert customer-specific work into reusable methods, tools, and service patterns; surface candidates for productisation with Product and R&D where patterns recur.
- Coordinate a small team: Create structure where there is none, set standards, direct quality, and make delivery trade-offs. Initially working alongside one developer (no direct line management responsibilities), with capacity to grow as the function proves out.
- Drive commercial growth: Drive new outcome-based revenue while improving product pull-through, retention, and strategic differentiation.
- Hold the line (HVS vs PS): Maintain the boundary between strategic-transformation HVS engagements and bespoke PS backstop work; uphold honest, evidence-based analysis and resist overclaiming (especially around AI).
This role is perfect for a commercially aware, analytically rigorous, maritime-fluent builder.
We’d love to hear if you have…
- Deep maritime domain knowledge of one or more core areas (e.g., technical management, planned maintenance, voyage operations, commercial performance, fleet operations, or similar). Enough to engage credibly with customers without being a seafarer.
- A track record of paving the way for applied analytics or insight functions, structuring ambiguous operational problems and working with real, imperfect datasets to deliver commercially useful output.
- The ability to distinguish genuinely high-value services from low-value custom reporting, and the willingness to make that call out loud.
- Confidence presenting to directors and C-suite; skilled at translating complex analysis into insight that earns trust.
- Experience creating or scaling a capability, function, or offering from scratch — not just operating inside an established one.
- Confident in embedding AI tools as part of a data analytics workflow. Understands the difference between what AI can do reliably and where human analytical judgement is essential.
- Also comfortable with data warehousing, SQL, BI tooling, and statistical reasoning, without needing to be the strongest engineer in the room.
The kind of person who thrives here…
- Credible: Carries enough substance and calm authority to be trusted by customers and colleagues in ambiguous, early-stage situations.
- Commercially tough-minded: Doesn’t confuse activity with value and challenges requests that don’t make business sense.
- Honest: Comfortable saying things like “The data doesn’t support that claim” and “This should be a product capability, not a services engagement.” That honesty is a feature, not a flaw.
- Curious: Genuinely interested in how shipping businesses work; asks why as readily as what.
- Structured: Brings shape to ambiguity and creates repeatable ways of working.
- Resilient: Able to build effectively in an environment where priorities and expectations are still evolving.
Who are we?
“The crew you trust when it comes to shipping software” Shipnet has been at the heart of maritime software for five decades. Our mission is to create innovative solutions to the problems of the shipping industry, which is built by mariners, for mariners.
We’re a remote-first, people-first business with a diverse team spread across multiple countries. Our team – Shipnetters – are the heart of everything we do. We are committed to supporting our people with one goal in mind; to create an open, engaging and inclusive culture for all. Whether you’re collaborating with a colleague in Singapore, India, Dubai, or the UK, we work together to keep the world afloat.
Why Shipnet?
At Shipnet, we offer more than just a job. We offer a supportive and collaborative environment where engagement and connection are at the forefront.
- Fully remote working with all equipment provided
- Competitive benefits and entitlements across all our operating countries
- Opportunities for learning and development through our platform, Percipio, to help you continuously grow your knowledge and skills
- A genuinely collaborative culture built on the values of Brave, Curious, Kind and Credible
- A strong focus on mental health and wellbeing – including monthly our monthly communication ‘Staying Afloat’, access to an Employee Assistance Programme and Mental Health First Aid Champions to support you
- Career development pathways across the wider Volaris Group
How to Apply
If you are interested in becoming a Shipnetter, please submit your resume via the Apply button by Monday 25th May 2026.
Worker Type: Regular
Number of Openings Available: 1
Strategic Services Lead in Manchester employer: Volaris Group
At Shipnet, we pride ourselves on being a fully remote, people-first organisation that fosters a supportive and collaborative work culture. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our learning platform, Percipio, and our focus on mental health and wellbeing, ensuring that every Shipnetter feels valued and engaged. Join us in shaping the future of maritime software while enjoying competitive benefits and a strong sense of community across diverse teams worldwide.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Services Lead in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the maritime industry, especially those who work at Shipnet or similar companies. Use LinkedIn to connect and engage with them; you never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its services. Understand how AI and data analytics play a role in their operations. This will help you speak their language and show that you're genuinely interested in what they do.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share examples of how you've tackled complex problems in the past, especially in maritime contexts. This will demonstrate your analytical prowess and commercial mindset.
✨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 Shipnet team and contributing to our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Services Lead in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Strategic Services Lead. Highlight your maritime knowledge and experience with analytics, AI, and commercial growth. We want to see how you can bring value to our High Value Services!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for Shipnet. Share specific examples of how you've tackled similar challenges in the past and how you can help shape our HVS capability.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In your application, don’t shy away from discussing your analytical prowess. We’re looking for someone who can turn messy data into actionable insights, so give us examples of how you've done this before!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get all the updates about your application status. Plus, we love seeing candidates who follow our process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Volaris Group
✨Know Your Maritime Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your maritime domain knowledge. Understand the core areas like technical management and fleet operations, so you can engage confidently with customers. This will help you demonstrate that you’re not just another candidate but someone who truly gets the industry.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss your experience with applied analytics. Be ready to share examples of how you've structured ambiguous operational problems and turned messy data into valuable insights. This is crucial for the role, so have specific stories in mind that highlight your analytical prowess.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice translating complex analysis into clear insights. You’ll need to present to directors and C-suite, so work on your storytelling skills. Use simple language to explain your ideas and make sure you can back them up with evidence, especially when discussing AI capabilities.
✨Emphasise Your Commercial Mindset
Be prepared to discuss how you distinguish high-value services from low-value reporting. Show that you understand the business side of things and can challenge requests that don’t make sense. This will demonstrate your commercially tough-minded approach, which is key for this role.
