Head of Shipbuilding

Where passion meets opportunity

The best of your adventures is the one you have yet to sail!

Your Purpose

The Head of Shipbuilding is responsible for the effective organization and management of vessel(s) under construction. You will oversee the full ship construction process across all contractual, operational and technical aspects. The role ensures that contractual obligations, company quality standards, and operational requirements, as defined within the ship's technical specifications, are consistently met by the Shipyard and its suppliers. In addition, the Head of Shipbuilding provides operational leadership and is accountable for the day-to-day supervision and management of all technical personnel deployed on site office.

Acting as the company's senior representative for construction activities, you will provide leadership, coordination and technical guidance throughout the project lifecycle. Supported by a multidisciplinary team of Site Office specialists, the role is accountable for construction supervision, progress monitoring, risk management and the resolution of major construction-related issues, reporting directly to the Site Director.

Your Impact

• Oversees and monitors the entire ship construction process, from steel cut to delivery, ensuring adherence to the shipbuilding contract, technical specifications, contractual standards and documentation;
• Ensures that complete and updated sets of specifications, standards, approved documentation and reference documents are available on site for all projects and visiting personnel;
• Leads and manages all Site Office Technical personnel, ensuring effective coordination of supervision activities across all disciplines and maintaining alignment with project objectives;
• Defines and coordinates the strategy for discussion, prioritization and resolution of construction remarks with the Shipyard and relevant stakeholders throughout the construction process;
• Arranges meetings with the Shipyard, upon request of the Technical Office or as required, to address matters related to construction activities, quality issues, schedule concerns and remark resolution;
• Conducts periodic technical inspections of vessels under construction to verify compliance with:
  • Class, Flag and applicable international regulations;
  • Approved technical specifications and contractual requirements;
• Monitors and verifies the quality of materials and workmanship, reporting findings to the relevant technical departments and ensuring timely implementation of corrective actions;
• Liaises with Clients' technical departments and Shipyard management to define, monitor and close corrective actions related to identified non-conformities, construction remarks and delivery items;
• Coordinates with the New Building Technical Department, supports the evaluation of potential design or functional improvements arising during construction and ensure effective and timely implementation of approved solution;
• Promotes the implementation of applicable lessons learned from previous projects, such as construction or process remarks, protocol of delivery agreements and operational claims, ensuring their incorporation into the vessel construction process whenever contractually and technically feasible;
• Oversees and monitors the implementation of approved Change Orders and agreed project modifications, ensuring compliance with contractual, technical, schedule and quality requirements;
• Monitors construction progress, identifying major risks, delays or deviations that may affect delivery, and reports them to the Director of Site Office;
• Prepares and issues periodical progress and risk reports, when requested, to senior management;
• Ensures constructive and professional relationships with the Shipyard, subcontractors, suppliers, Classification Societies and the whole Site Team;
• Coordinates and provides technical support, to the New Building Technical Department during Plan Approval activities and the review of Construction Inspection Lists, FAT, HAT and SAT test memoranda, ensuring that construction, commissioning and operational experience are adequately
• considered;
• Supports Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs), Harbour Acceptance Tests (HATs), Sea Acceptance Tests (SATs) and final hand-over inspections.
• Coordinates with Site Office Specialists and relevant technical departments in the preparation, consolidation and execution of the vessel delivery protocol, punch list close-out activities, final acceptance and handover documentation to the Ship Head of Dpts and Guarantee Team.

Your Journey so far

• Degree in Naval Architecture or another engineering discipline with a technical focus relevant to shipbuilding.
• Extensive leadership experience in large-scale shipyard construction activities, project management, and coordinating multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.
• Solid knowledge of shipbuilding processes, construction methodologies, commissioning, testing, and vessel delivery activities.
• Strong understanding of Marine Rules, contractual requirements, and international standards and regulations.
• Proven ability to review new-building technical specifications, contractual documentation, and drawings, ensuring accurate interpretation of engineering documentation to support construction activities and decision-making.
• Excellent leadership and people management skills, with the ability to drive issue resolution and maintain effective stakeholder relationships.
• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a proactive, can-do attitude.
• Excellent communication skills and fluency in English, both written and spoken. Knowledge of Italian and/or French would be an advantage.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and MS Project (or equivalent).

Your Essentials

• Existing right to live and work in the EU

This opportunity offers a gross annual salary range of €90,000 to €100,000, depending on experience and relevant expertise, alongside a competitive package of additional benefits.

Our commitment

We are committed to building a future that values diverse perspectives, embraces the world beyond borders, and fosters an inclusive environment where every individual feels valued, respected and empowered to be their authentic selves. Our commitment extends to taking meaningful, measurable actions that have a long-term positive impact on our guests, our employees and our planet.

Ready to turn your passion into something extraordinary? Join us at MSC Cruises, where new opportunities await. Apply today to be part of a global team that is pushing boundaries and achieving something remarkable. Your journey starts here!