The Walt Disney Company
VP New Builds & Dry Docks (Disney Cruise Line)
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About The Role & Team
The Vice President, New Build and Dry Docks is the senior executive accountable for the strategy, financial performance, and successful delivery of Disney Cruise Line’s (DCL) fleet growth and major refurbishment programs, including new ship builds and dry dock initiatives.
In this highly visible VP role, you will act as an influential and persuasive leader, aligning business, operations, and shipyard partners to deliver innovative, guest- and crew-centric ships on time, on budget, and on strategy. This role will collaborate and integrate with the business operators to ensure that their strategy, direction, and drivers are translated to all DCL projects, in tandem with Walt Disney Imagineering.
This leader will serve as the key executive leader and point of contact to Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) Project Teams to ensure the successful execution and strategic alignment between DCL Operations, WDI, commercial, other key internal stakeholders, as well as shipyard leaders in order to deliver projects on strategy, on time, and on budget.
You’ll join a team grounded in our Disney values — acting with Integrity, welcoming everyone through Inclusion, embracing boundless Creativity, working together through Collaboration, and caring deeply for our Community. These values shape how we work and how we support one another every day.
This role will be based in our London Hammersmith office, 4 days a week, with either a Monday or Friday working from home. You will be required for frequent business travel.
What You Will Do
- Drive the overall strategy and execution of new build and dry dock projects that support the growth and long-term competitiveness of the Disney Cruise Line fleet.
- Represent Disney Cruise Line for all new build and dry dock initiatives, ensuring business needs and financial objectives are aligned with the project’s strategic direction. Ensure the DCL operations have insight, input, and decision-making abilities during all phases of the projects.
- Serve as the executive leader and key point of contact for Walt Disney Imagineering project teams and shipyard leadership, providing consistency, accountability, and clear milestone governance across the project lifecycle.
- Lead a cross-functional team of line-of-business and operations experts, including hotel operations, entertainment, marine and technical operations, and project integration, to deliver fleet development projects in partnership with HR, commercial, Public Relations/Public Affairs, and technology.
- Act as key decision maker for owner’s furnished budgets and operational readiness of new ships, ensuring projects remain within established financial parameters and deviations are appropriately communicated and approved.
- Manage assigned new build and dry dock projects throughout their life cycle, defining milestones, critical paths, and dependency plans to effectively manage schedules, resources, risks, and issues.
- Maintain open, trusted lines of communication to create strong internal and external alignment, skillfully balancing stakeholder needs and competing priorities while resolving issues within agreed schedule and budget parameters.
- Leverage industry trend data, environmental regulations, and other inputs to inform ship design and construction, ensuring all projects comply with relevant regulations in partnership with Safety, Security, and Environmental Compliance.
- Maintain strong working relationships with shipyard leadership and partners, negotiating shipyard agreements and influencing supplier selection to optimize quality, schedule, and cost.
- Prepare and secure approval for business cases and project execution plans, identifying opportunities for cost efficiencies and business process improvements across all projects.
- Provide pertinent information and strategic recommendations to Disney Cruise Line leadership regarding future fleet expansion, existing ship enhancements, and private destination development.
- Think strategically to envision future fleet possibilities and create breakthrough strategies that connect teams to the big picture and drive ownership of business outcomes.
- Define clear strategies, expectations, and priorities for the team, ensuring their actions ladder up to what matters most for the Company’s success.
- Instill trust by role-modelling honesty, integrity, and authenticity, providing continuous coaching and feedback so individuals and teams can reach their highest potential.
- Develop self and others by encouraging openness, curiosity, and career growth, demonstrating care and compassion to promote an environment of respect, well-being, and flexibility.
- Create an environment where Disney values are experienced daily, encouraging creative problem solving, ensuring every voice is heard, and sustaining Disney culture across all new build and dry dock initiatives.
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Required Qualifications & Skills
- Extensive senior leadership experience directly leading complex operations with strong knowledge of the Guest and Crew experience, as well as significant experience in senior management roles.
- Prior cruise line experience related to new builds and technical projects, with significant exposure to ship operations and shipyard construction environments.
- Significant experience managing complex, multi-site projects in fast-paced environments, reliant on successful collaboration and integration of diverse stakeholders.
- Detailed understanding of technical and regulatory requirements for ship construction projects, including deep knowledge of SOLAS, IMO classification rules and regulations, and other marine standards.
- Strong understanding of shipbuilding design processes and construction, including specification development, supplier selection, budget control, and commissioning.
- Ability to articulate the needs of the operation and represent the Guest and Crew experience to inform and influence key decisions at VP and senior executive levels.
- Proven record of savvy business judgment, exceptional financial skills, and deep business acumen, including experience with operating and capital budgets for major marine and technical initiatives.
- Significant experience in managing business development or engineering development activities, identifying business opportunities, developing strategic plans, and executing successful outcomes.
- Demonstrated exceptional strategic thinking, conceptual and creative problem solving, and the ability to envision future fleet and destination possibilities.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to articulate ideas persuasively, settle differences, and win concessions without damaging relationships.
- Demonstrated strong leadership skills with the ability to define a clear vision, motivate others, inspire enthusiasm and teamwork, and uphold a commitment to excellence.
- Ability to travel internationally for significant periods of time and work effectively in shipyard construction site conditions.
- Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Marine Operations, Engineering, Business Management, Hospitality, or a related field.
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Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s Degree or equivalent in Marine Operations, Engineering, or Business Management.
- Experience developing new cruise ship platform designs, including on-site commissioning or serving as a superintendent for newbuild or dry dock projects.
- Strong experience in hotel operations for high-performing 5-star luxury operators, ideally with cruise ship hotel operations and shipyard construction exposure.
The Perks
- 25 days annual leave
- Private medical insurance & dental care
- Free Park Entry: You will have the opportunity to enter any of our parks with your family and friends for free
- Disney Discounts: you are entitled to discounts on designated Disney products, resort F&B, and ticketing
- Excellent parental and guardian leave
- Employee Resource Groups – WOMEN @ Disney, Disney DIVERSITY, Disney PRIDE, our new disability & neurodiversity focused group - ENABLED, and our Mental Health & Wellbeing Group, TRUST.
The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our audiences, and where all can thrive and belong. Disney is committed to forming a team that includes and respects a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
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