Viking was founded in 1997 and provides destination-focused voyages on oceans, rivers and lakes around the world. Designed for experienced travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers experiences for The Thinking Person®.
Viking has more than 250 awards to its name, including being rated #1 for Rivers, #1 for Oceans and #1 for Expeditions by Condé Nast Traveler and voted at the top of its categories by Travel + Leisure. No other cruise line has ever received these same honors by both publications at the same time.
Please note that we can only accept applicants who are eligible to work in Switzerland or in possession of a valid work permit.
ROLE DESCRIPTION
• As the leader of the Nautical Service Center (Planning team), you will drive the transformation and optimization of all crew planning and scheduling activities, ensuring strict compliance with legal, licensing, and operational requirements. Reporting directly to the Director of Nautical Planning, you will take full ownership of critical initiatives, leading a team of Nautical Managers (Planning) and overseeing the end-to-end crew life cycle.
• Your leadership will be essential in improving planning processes, strengthening long-term crew stability, optimizing resource allocation, and developing efficient, compliant scheduling and budgeting models. You will actively shape and communicate the vision for crew planning, helping the team build strong, logical, and emotional argumentation to drive alignment, motivate stakeholders, and secure operational excellence. Through your structured and forward-looking approach, you will set new benchmarks for operational excellence, safety, cost control, and workforce development, helping to shape the future of Viking’s nautical operations.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead and Manage the Nautical Service Center Team (Planning):
• You will lead a team of five Nautical Managers, each responsible for a key strategic area. You will drive process improvements in scheduling and in the management of the Nautical Managers, automate workflows where possible, and simplify procedures to enhance efficiency.
• You will maintain an up-to-date work schedule for your team, monitor work and downtime, and ensure effective, compliant daily operations.
• You will use data-driven analysis to optimize the Viking scheduling system and provide transparent, regular reporting on budget performance and crew metrics
• You will guide the development of planning tools, ensuring usability, accuracy, and full alignment with operational needs
• You will coordinate closely with HR and all Nautical stakeholders to ensure alignment across planning activities and adhere to Viking’s policies and standards
Manage Crew Planning and Scheduling (Onboard Crews):
• You will promote career development onboard by actively supporting a balanced Trainer-Student composition, ensuring the structured growth of future leaders within an ethical and professional team culture
• You will oversee the full 365-day crew planning and scheduling process, including ensuring the timely coordination of all training activities, making sure every crew member attends the right training at the right time
• You will manage resource allocation with a clear focus on long-term crew stability and sustainable team structures, avoiding short-term solutions that may harm team consistency or quality
• Strong influencing skills, with the ability to develop clear, logical and emotional argumentation to align stakeholders and drive the vision forward
• You will ensure full compliance with all legal requirements, certifications, and licensing standards.
• Through careful scheduling and thoughtful crew pairing, you will create safe, professional, and hospitable onboard environments, directly contributing to reducing incidents and enhancing the guest experience
• You will manage external pilots and other temporary resources through structured onboarding, offboarding, and a complete feedback process, ensuring safe, smooth, and compliant operations
KEY QUALIFICATIONS
• Proven experience (minimum five years) in a leadership role, preferably within crew planning, scheduling, or logistics management
• Strong administrative, organizational, and project management skills, with a structured and detail oriented mindset
• Advanced analytical capabilities, with the ability to interpret complex data, identify trends, and translate insights into practical actions
• High proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, formulas, reporting), PowerPoint, and Word; familiarity with scheduling or ERP systems is an advantage
• Effective communicator with excellent interpersonal and presentation skills; able to work across departments and cultures
• Independent, self-motivated professional with strong prioritization skills, capable of managing multiple projects under time pressure
• Systematic and structured in approach, while remaining flexible and adaptable to evolving priorities and unexpected challenges
• Curious, critical thinker with a continuous improvement mindset and the drive to challenge the status quo constructively
• Strong commitment to legal compliance, certification standards, and risk awareness in operational planning
• Fluent in English and German, both written and spoken; additional language skills are an asset
• Positive, can-do attitude, motivated to develop people, processes, and planning tools for the future of nautical operations
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex situations quickly, develop practical solutions, and support decision-making under pressure
COMMUNITY & CULTURE
• Fast-growing and dynamic environment, a modern workspace, flexible working hours
HOW TO APPLY
Please apply via our website www.vikingcareers.com, including your CV in English and a one-page cover letter to introduce yourself and your interest for the role.
For more details about this position, contact us under +41 61 638 60 11
*Unsolicited submissions of candidates from agencies will not be considered*