Fleet Personnel Manager / Crew Manager

Main Purpose of Job:

Responsible for the strategic leadership and operational oversight of the Crewing Department. This role ensures the timely and effective deployment of qualified seafarers in compliance with international regulations, client requirements, and company standards.

The Fleet Personnel Manager will drive crewing performance, retention strategies, budget efficiency, and continuous improvement in crewing operations.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Accountable, Lead, and manage the crewing department, including team members, budgets, and resources with a primary focus on Offshore Subsea vessels such as DSV, Pipelay, Cable lay and other offshore construction assets.
• Support HSE goals through strong alignment with safety culture and behavioral expectations onboard.
• Oversee day-to-day crew management, including recruitment, employment, repatriation, and welfare of seafarers, ensuring compliance with all relevant maritime regulations, including flag state, port state, and international conventions.
• Maintain a proactive approach to seafarer sourcing and retention to meet current and future crewing needs.
• Ensure safe, efficient, and compliant manning of vessels in line with STCW, MLC, flag state, and client requirements as well as strict compliance with offshore industry standards (IMCA, OCIMF, OVID, amongst other requirements).
• Implement the Crew Management Software, from inception to utilization.
• Manage and support crew recruitment requirements for offshore subsea vessels, including actively work with and engage multinational crews on the company’s vessels.
• Prepare & communicate work instructions to crewing team in consideration to Clients and Company’s requirements for Recruitment, Promotion, Performance review etc. and ensure its compliance.
• Ensure timely crew changes and rotation planning with minimal vessel downtime and optimal cost control.
• Ensure Seafarers Employment Agreements are in place and issued by the company in line with the relevant regulations and company’s requirements.
• Manage and maintain an overview of OPEX crew costs on a monthly basis as well as budget proposals for existing business in close cooperation with other team members.
• Ensure reporting monthly to clients on plan ahead for each vessel as well as review of monthly payroll costs, monthly reports and relevant communication from the vessels.
• Work with the accounting team to manage, review, and submit monthly payroll reports and checks for effective payment of crew wages.
• Draft in close liaison with the HSEQ and Technical teams a Training matrix for each rank / vessel type as applicable including offshore or other vessels and ensure compliance.
• In close liaison with the Technical and Marine / HSEQ teams, ensure that the recruitment undertaken by the Crewing offices are following established guideline wrt screening, interviewing and selection of candidates.
• Plan for and undertake Manning agency audits and oversee manning agency compliance / performance relating to the outcome of such audits.
• Follow-up with crew manning offices on observations / non-conformances relating to crewing activities and ensure that these are effectively closed out.
• Maintain effective communication and build relationships with crewing agencies, shipowners, and other stakeholders.
• Serve as the primary crewing liaison for clients, ensuring transparency, responsiveness, and alignment with service expectations.
• Support Business Development teams with crewing input for budgets, tenders and new client acquisitions.
• Any other responsibilities as advised by the MD.

Minimum Experience and Skill Set Required:

• A good understanding of offshore subsea business and project charter, work and requirements is a must. Added advantage would also be an understanding of conventional vessels such as bulker and tanker crewing requirements.
• Minimum 8 years’ crewing experience specifically in the offshore sector, managing and overseeing subsea assets such as DSV, Pipelay, Cablelay etc., including 5+ years in a senior crewing management role specifically having worked with either Owners and / or Ship Managers.
• Deep understanding of offshore vessel operations, DP requirements, IMCA standards, and client expectations in oil & gas /renewables.
• Experience in an international setting with offshore and conventional vessels operating worldwide.
• Having sailed onboard merchant vessels as an officer or engineer would be an added advantage.
• Well versed with knowledge of all the international requirements (STCW 95 / MLC / IMCA etc.).
• Demonstrate skills of being able to ensure high efficiency, experience in dealing with globally distributed multinational crew as well as have budget and control management experience.
• Communication skills both verbal and written will need to be excellent, especially in responding positively to customers in an effective manner.
• Being independent in managing the responsibilities and job requirements.