JOB DETAILS
Head of Crew Operations (m/f/d)
CompanyPeter Döhle Schiffahrts-KG
LocationHamburg
Work ModeOn Site
PostedNovember 13, 2026
About The Company
Döhle Group is a family-owned group of companies and has been a trusted partner in the maritime industry since 1956. With around 5,000 employees worldwide – on board and ashore in locations such as Hamburg, Singapore, Manila, and the Isle of Man – we provide a broad range of services that ensure the safe and efficient operation of seagoing vessels. Our core areas of expertise include technical management, crew management, chartering, insurance, ship sale & purchase, and a variety of specialized maritime solutions.
The Döhle Group is the exclusive chartering broker for a versatile fleet of around 500 owned and managed container ships, bulk carriers, and multi-purpose vessels. Our portfolio includes container vessels ranging from 300 to 13,000 TEU, as well as multi-purpose and bulk carriers with deadweights between 1,800 and 210,000 dwt – tailored to meet the demands of global trade.
OUR CORE COMPETENCIES
- Commercial Management: Reliable relationships with charterers globally.
- Agency & Logistics: Tailor-made logistics solutions under one roof.
- Sale & Purchase: Expert brokers guiding you through newbuilding projects and second-hand deals.
- Technical Management: Ensuring safe, efficient, and seamless operations across all vessels.
- Crew Management: Access to a dedicated pool of skilled, experienced seafarers with high retention rates.
- Insurance: Independent maritime insurance brokerage, focused on your needs.
OUR WEBSITE
For further information check out our website:
🌐http://www.doehle.de
⚖️ Imprint: https://www.doehle.de/legal-notice/
🔒 Data security: https://www.doehle.de/privacy-policy/
About the Role
About the role
At the heart of every successful voyage is a highly skilled and motivated crew. As Head of Crew Operations (m/f/d), you will play a pivotal role in ensuring that our vessels are staffed with the right people, at the right time, while maintaining the highest standards of safety, compliance, and crew welfare.Leading a team of approximately 10 crewing professionals, you will shape and drive our global crew operations strategy across the fleet. You will work closely with seafarers, manning agencies, vessel management teams, and internal stakeholders. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced maritime leader who combines strong operational expertise with a genuine passion for people and performance.
What You'll Be Responsible For
- Leading and developing the Crew Operations team
- Oversee crew planning, recruitment, deployment, retention and performance management across the fleet
- Manage relationships with international manning agencies and other crewing partners
- Ensure compliance with MLC, flag state regulations and company requirements
- Work closely with Technical, HSQE and Fleet Management teams to support safe vessel operations
- Manage crewing budgets and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and control costs
- Promote crew welfare, engagement and long-term retention
- Drive improvements in crewing processes and contribute to the development of the overall crewing strategy
Your profile
What We're Looking For- A degree in Maritime Studies, Shipping, Business Administration, HR or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience
- Extensive experience within crew management, crewing operations, or ship management in an international maritime environment
- Proven experience in leading and developing teams
- Strong knowledge of international maritime regulations, including MLC and flag state requirements
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
- Strong commercial awareness, planning capabilities and budget management experience
- A proactive and solution-oriented mindset with exceptional organizational and problem-solving skills.
- Fluent in written and spoken English
Our benefits
Why Join Us?
This is more than a crewing role. It is an opportunity to influence the performance of an entire fleet, lead a dedicated team of professionals, and make a direct impact on the experience, wellbeing, and success of our seafarers worldwide. You will join a family-owned international maritime organization where people, safety, and operational excellence are at the center of everything we do.We would like to welcome you on board!
Do you think the position matches your expectations? Then we look forward to receiving your application, either online via the application form or by e-mail.Please state your salary expectations and the earliest possible starting date.
If you have any questions, Jan Wichers, our Recruiting Specialist, will be happy to help you: career@doehle.de
Please, find our data privacy statement here.
About us
With it's 2,000 employees ashore and 4,900 crew members at sea the Döhle Group is one of the leading providers of shipping services worldwide.Founded 1965 in Hamburg, the family-owned company operates a modern fleet of about 500 container vessels, multi-purpose vessels and bulk carriers. Besides the core competences of chartering and sale & purchase of ships, the Döhle Group offers a wide variety of further services. The spectrum ranges from financial, commerical and technical support to insurance services and crew management, full agency services, bunker services as well as development of shipping software.
The Döhle Group acts as exclusive chartering broker for a fleet of 500 container ships, bulk- and multi-purpose vessels.
Today's fleet encompasses container vessels with a capacity of 300 up to 13,000 TEU, multi-purpose carriers and bulk carriers ranging from 1,800 to about 210,000 dwt deadweight.
PETER DÖHLE Schiffahrts-KG is a provider of global maritime services with roots in Hamburg and home ports all over the world.
We see ourselves as a traditional yet forward-looking group of companies that offers customised solutions for the entire shipping industry.
Key Skills
Crew managementMaritime regulationsMLC complianceTeam leadershipBudget managementStakeholder managementRecruitmentPerformance managementOperational strategyProblem-solvingOrganizational skillsCommunicationCommercial awarenessShip managementFlag state regulations
Categories
Management & LeadershipHuman ResourcesLogisticsTransportation
Job Information
📋Core Responsibilities
The Head of Crew Operations will lead and develop the crewing team while overseeing global crew planning, recruitment, and performance management across the fleet. They are responsible for ensuring compliance with maritime regulations, managing crewing budgets, and fostering strong relationships with international manning agencies.
📋Job Type
permanent employee
📊Experience Level
10+
💼Company Size
1741
📊Visa Sponsorship
No
💼Language
English
🏢Working Hours
40 hours
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