Corporate Captain

Purpose of Position

The Corporate Captain (CCT) is in charge of all nautical operations within one or two Operation Area(s) covering three to eight ships, and is an integral part of the core management team of an Operation Area. The main role of the CCT is to manage and support the Captains of each ship under the CCT’s Operation Area(s).

This mainly involves ensuring all certifications and nautical regulation requirements are met, updating and implementing Nautical Operating manuals and procedures, supporting Captains in cooperating with Land bridges and Locks & Docks, work with the HR department to coordinate and support in nautical staffing needs, coach and train Captains and Nautical staff within the Operation Area(s), and organize in-season and end-season employee performance review for Nautical staff. In some cases the CCT will also be required to relieve a Captain and act as interim Captain onboard one of our vessels.

In addition, as a core member of the Operation Area management team (the core team), the CCT is - together with the rest of the team - jointly responsible for the implementation and execution of Vikings Quality and Service standards. To foster communication, weekly or bi-weekly meetings with the core team
must be attended. In the core team the CCT is mainly responsible for resolving Nautical Operational challenges related to deviation situations and coordinate the joint resolution of deviation situations in close corporation with the Corporate Operations Manager and/or his/her nautical supervisor, and developing specific solution plans for identified improvement needs within the Nautical department of each Operation Area.
When not travelling for business reasons, the CCT is expected to work from home.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Will actively monitor the daily water levels and weather forecast for his/her area as well all the feedback and information from the nautical authorities in his/her responsible area, and will act accordingly
• Anticipates and adjusts for roadblocks such as in deviation situations, staff shortages or other operational issues, still delivering according to timeline
• Will act as a contact person between Office and the Nautical and Technical team on Board our vessels and is the first person for the ship’s crew (mainly nautical and technical) in all matters
• Shows a good understanding of work schedules and is able to perform vacation and work time planning in coordination with identified projects and implementations
• Act as backup for critical positions
• Has the functional and technical knowledge to follow and execute company procedures stated in the PSO
• Implement new product standards and product improvements
• Evaluate ship feedback and report to Head Office
• Implement new operating standards including any measurement, follow up tools and training (this can also include a follow up of implementations performed by corporate teams in the areas of Onboard Operations, Shore Excursions and Program Management)
• Conduct quality audits / reviews
• Develop improvement plans

QUALIFICATION PROFILE

• Graduated education within the inland shipping industry, with a minimum of 4 years’ experience as Captain on an inland river vessel
• Owner of all needed certificates and licenses for the responsible operation (France), all other nonoperational licenses are an advantage, but not a requirement
• Excellent management, organization and communication skills
• Guest-focused, stress-resistant, calm under pressure, team player and with professional appearance
• Open-minded and flexible with high social and inter-cultural competencies
• Excellent English and French skills (written & verbal), other languages (German) are an advantage, but not a requirement
• Must work independently; has sufficient computer skills to create advanced presentations, scripts and projects
• Must have a valid driver’s license and able to travel extensively (up to 70%) within the target area; must be willing to be available on-call during unusual business hours