Chief Executive Officer (CEO) - Maritime Ship Repair & Marine Engineering

Company Overview

We are a premier maritime firm specializing in ship repair, maintenance, and marine engineering services focused on mechanical propulsion systems utilized by commercial, offshore, and marine vessels. Our expertise encompasses emergency repairs, routine maintenance, drydock projects, propulsion refurbishments, rotating machinery, shaft systems, seals, pumps, gearboxes, engines, and auxiliary equipment. We strive to deliver technically advanced, safe, and high-quality solutions while cultivating strong client relationships.

Position Summary

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will have overarching responsibility for the company's strategic direction, operational excellence, and financial health. This role covers leadership across operations, engineering, business development, finance, safety, and talent management. The CEO will champion sustainable growth, fortify customer partnerships within the maritime sector, and elevate our standing as a leading provider in ship repair and propulsion services.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and implement the organization's long-range strategic vision.
• Drive growth initiatives while upholding operational standards.
• Establish a culture grounded in accountability, innovation, continuous improvement, and safety.
• Lead and develop a skilled executive management team.
• Serve as the company's representative to customers, industry bodies, regulators, and stakeholders.
• Identify and secure new business within commercial shipping, offshore, and marine transportation markets.
• Forge strategic partnerships with vessel operators, OEMs, shipyards, and classification entities.
• Broaden service capabilities and expand geographic reach.
• Steer high-level contract negotiations and client engagement.
• Supervise all ship repair, drydock, and field service deliveries ensuring projects meet safety, timing, and budgetary targets.
• Enhance operational efficiency and implement process improvements across departments.
• Track performance indicators such as profitability, quality, customer satisfaction, and project execution.
• Coordinate emergency repair responses effectively.
• Manage budgeting, financial planning, revenue growth, and profitability maintenance.
• Monitor financial health including cash flow and capital investments.
• Ensure adherence to marine propulsion technological standards and ship repair best practices.
• Support technical teams in complex project assessments and keep abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends.
• Maintain compliance with safety and environmental regulations including OSHA, USCG, ABS, DNV, Lloyd's Register, IMO, SOLAS, and MARPOL.
• Promote and enforce a safety-first culture consistently.
• Recruit, develop, and retain skilled professionals and foster leadership continuity.
• Encourage employee engagement and professional growth.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture, Business Administration, or related disciplines.
• Advanced degree such as MBA is preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of executive leadership experience in the maritime sector.
• Proven track record in ship repair, marine engineering, propulsion systems, or shipyard operational management.
• Demonstrated success managing profitable engineering or industrial service entities.
• Strong commercial insight with experience in strategic customer relationship management.
• Experience overseeing large operational teams and multifunctional business units.

Preferred Technical Expertise

• Main propulsion systems.
• Marine diesel engines from manufacturers such as MAN, Wärtsilä, Caterpillar, MTU, EMD, Cummins.
• Reduction gearboxes, shaft lines, and bearings.
• Controllable pitch propellers (CPP) and fixed pitch propellers (FPP).
• Thrusters and azimuth propulsion drives.
• Pumps, rotating equipment, and mechanical seals.
• Stern tube assemblies.
• Alignment and vibration analysis techniques.
• Drydock scheduling and project execution.
• Emergency vessel repair operations.

Leadership Competencies

• Visionary and strategic leadership abilities.
• Financial oversight and management skills.
• Business development acumen.
• Exceptional customer relationship management.
• Operational excellence and executive decision-making proficiency.
• Change and risk management capabilities.
• Expertise in contract negotiation.
• Team building and effective communication with stakeholders.