Senior Marine Operations Superintendent

Position Summary

The Senior Marine Operations Superintendent directly oversees a team of 30 staff, spearheading all aspects of Coastal & Marine Resources (CMR) research fleet operations, including the current R/V Thuwal and the upcoming, multi-million-dollar R/V Thuwal 2, a state-of-the-art 50-meter research vessel. With the fleet of 8 small boats, and a working pier it supports over 600 days a year at sea. 

This leadership role demands a strategic thinker with a direct hand in shaping business strategies aligned with KAUST's goals for external revenue generation and marine research excellence. The position’s vision and influence will be instrumental in achieving key results through continuous process improvement and implementation of innovative systems and services. Beyond internal operations, it manages high-level stakeholder relationships such as the vessels consortium, Red Sea Global, and Neom authorities, fostering strategic collaborations to advance marine research.

This position requires a deep passion for Marine Research coupled with unwavering commitment to safety, strong leadership, financial expertise, adept project management skills, and a strategic mindset.

Major Responsibilities

• Contribute actively, constructively, and positively to the ongoing planning and management of CMR Vessels & Pier aligning with the department's strategic objectives, and address issues as required by the CMR Director and relevant interested parties.
• In conjunction with the CMR Director and relevant interested parties identify opportunities to comply and improve CMR financial, budgeting, science, market and delivery performance.
• Provide timely reporting on all KPIs of the area of responsibility.
• Accountability for inventory management and control of all equipment, and consumables.
• Drive collaborative, strategic relationships with other marine vessel operators within and beyond the kingdom.
• Ensure the facility has the necessary best practices in the areas of Health, Safety and Environment including monitoring and reporting mechanisms.
• Develop, implement, and maintain a vessels safety training program.
• Stay abreast of national and international developments in research vessels and their equipment and the operations of research vessels, and make appropriate evaluations of the suitability and implementation of such developments in the CMR Intergraded Management System.
• Act as a coach and mentor to the CMR Marine Operations team, ensuring that all employees perform their jobs effectively and work as a unified team.
• Responsible to create a plan for staff development, retention and career progression.
• Lead and motivate staff with clear goals and objectives in support of both the individual and in creating high-performing teams.
• Establish and monitor training and certification programs for users.
• Manage the CMR Vessels revenue, cost and margin objectives to ensure annual budgets are met
• In conjunction with KAUST legal, procurement, and other teams ensure that CMR Vessels conducts its operations in a responsible manner.
• Ensure all vessels are staffed and provisioned as required.
• Ensure the research and commercial proposals for the use of the vessels are developed and

            maintained in collaboration with the CMR Leads.

Personal Requirements

Competencies

• Strong work ethics and close attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a research team.
• Small boat handling, shipboard experience and seagoing ability are preferred.
• Project management skills, including the ability to supervise and lead teams of students, technical assistants and junior researchers and to coordinate their work, as needed.
• Excellent English writing, communication and inter-personal skills.
• Ability to react quickly and flexibly to changing priorities with a can-do attitude.
• Positive solution-focused and future-oriented outlook.
• Demonstrate ownership and accountability.

Qualifications

• Minimum Masters' or equivalent degree in Marine Science or related field, with extensive experience in planning and execution of oceanographic cruises and marine field work surveys.
• 15+ years of experience with sea-going research and operations, and technologies related to access to the sea.
• Shipboard experience and seagoing ability is essential.
• Relevant experience in the academic and research institutions. 
• A thorough working knowledge of UNOLS, RVOC and other relevant protocols.

Experience

• Leading and managing medium to large sized teams of highly specialized technical personnel.
• Ship operations management experience.
• Contract management and procurement experience.
• Ship operations management experience.
• Contract management and procurement experience.
• Small boat handling, shipboard experience and seagoing ability are preferred.
• Project management skills, including the ability to supervise and lead teams of students, technical assistants and junior researchers and to coordinate their work, as needed.
• Excellent English writing, communication and inter-personal skills.