Newbuild Operations Integration Project Manager, Disney Cruise Line

About the Role & Team

The Integration Project Manager serves as the primary project planner, facilitator and coordinator for Disney Cruise Line’s New Build team. The role works directly with Disney Cruise Line (DCL) Operations, Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) creative and shipbuild project teams as well as coordinating with shipyard marketing teams to facilitate a successful project delivery.  

In this role you'll be responsible for providing strategic and critical analytical, decision, and communication support to drive and align project scope and operational readiness delivery on behalf of DCL and WDI throughout the project life cycle; from initial program development and boxology, through design development, into construction and implementation, overall operational readiness and close out. 

The role is operations focused and will ensure that processes run efficiently, and project objectives are fulfilled.

This position will be based in the Disney Cruise Line Offices in London, with 4 days per week onsite required.

What You Will Do

• Initiate and manage the entire ship program throughout the lifecycle of the project from high level space boxology to detailed operational requirements, culminating in the production of a final program book for WDI & DCL Operations, Marketing, Sales, Commercial, Travel Services, HR, and Digital and Technology teams’ reference. The program book includes functional and creative design and operational details of all public, crew and stateroom spaces as well as typical ‘day in the life onboard’ scenarios.

• Ensures the program requirements are implemented into the General Arrangement planning and design development of each project, acting as the key liaison between WDI & DCL partners during each stage of the design process.

• Provide WDI project and design managers with detailed analysis, practical evaluations of the design, and effective facilitation of decisions from operations teams as well as resolution management. 

• Facilitate industrial engineering analysis and processes tool development throughout the project lifecycle.

• Lead and consolidate Owner Furnished Equipment (OFE) requirements for initial program and budget development.

• Responsible for managing DCL project objectives and that the approved scope of work, including scope changes, remain within the established financial parameters and deviations are appropriately communicated and approved.

• Review and confirm data accuracy of the integrated project and venue completion tracking tool, working with WDI project management on venue tracking for various states of construction and outfitting.

• Responsible for coordinating DCL operational readiness efforts. Responsible for providing planning and communication support for the following pre-launch activities; OFE loading, vessel commissioning team set up, crew training and costuming, logistics arrangements for crew and business traveler embarkation, and operational completion of crew and guest spaces.

• Coordinates the ship repositioning strategy and develops the detailed repositioning plan on behalf of DCL operations.  Identify, manage and communicate pre-repositioning space allocation needs onboard for room utilization, storage planning, and broadcast support.

• Coordinate the logistical planning of shipyard and DCL inaugural events (e.g. steel cutting, media cruise, cast preview sailings, etc.).

• Responsible for organizing and coordinating tasks, resources, stakeholders and deliverables providing deadlines and tracking progress for DCL Newbuild operations project team.

• Implement contingency planning efforts across all DCL teams.

• Lead DCL project reviews and manage documentation to be shared with Senior Executives of the Walt Disney Company and align with WDI teams in the preparation of presentations and information.  Lead regular DCL project updates to DCL leadership and operational teams.

• In partnership with Industrial Engineering (IE), co-lead the prioritization of IE work scope, and peer review the analysis and processes tools development used to enhance efficiencies in project delivery.

• Maintain clear communication channels between the DCL and Walt Disney Imagineering project teams to mitigate communication gaps throughout the project life cycle.

• Track lessons learned throughout the project lifecycle and contribute to continuous improvement strategies.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Operational experience supporting cruise line newbuilding projects and processes.

• Leadership experience managing and influencing functional specialists and cross-functional teams

• Ability to project manage large hospitality newbuild or refurbishment projects.

• Proven ability coordinating stakeholders, resolving conflicts and finding solutions, team accountability and prioritization.

• Must be able to travel as required.

• Highly motivated self-starter able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced work environment.

• Demonstrated strong verbal, written, presentation and public speaking skills.

• Demonstrated strong partnering skills.

• Demonstrated problem solving and continuous improvement process skills.

• Proven ability to initiate, organize, prioritize, take, and provide direction, and complete multiple tasks in a timely manner.

• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment with strong interpersonal skills and positive demeanor.

• Demonstrated ability to model Disney heritage, traditions and guidelines.

• Ability to be flexible with work schedule, including weekends and holidays.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years project management experience

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.