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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Yacht Program Supervisor

💰 $ - $

MaritimeYachtingSupervisionProgram Management

🎯 Role Definition

The Yacht Program Supervisor is a senior operations and technical role responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing vessel programs across a yacht(s) portfolio. This role combines project management, maintenance planning, regulatory compliance, crew and contractor supervision, budgeting and procurement, and stakeholder reporting to ensure vessels are safe, operationally ready, cost-efficient and maintained to owner expectations. The Yacht Program Supervisor acts as the central point of contact between owners/management, captains, shipyards, suppliers and regulatory bodies to deliver refits, planned maintenance, technical upgrades and operational improvements on time and within budget.

Keywords: Yacht Program Supervisor, yacht management, fleet operations, maintenance planning, refit coordination, safety compliance, ISM, PMS, project management, crew management.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Chief Engineer or Operations Manager on large private yachts
  • Fleet Maintenance Supervisor or Technical Manager in yachting companies
  • Shipyard Project Coordinator with yacht refit experience

Advancement To:

  • Head of Technical Operations / Technical Director
  • Fleet Director or Director of Yacht Management
  • Global Program Manager (multiple-asset supervision)

Lateral Moves:

  • Yacht Operations Manager
  • Refit Program Manager / Shipyard Liaison Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Lead end-to-end yacht program delivery, including annual maintenance cycles, scheduled refits, dry-dockings and upgrade projects from initial scope, procurement and scheduling through to acceptance and final handover, ensuring all deliverables meet owner and class requirements.
  • Create, maintain and optimize the Planned Maintenance System (PMS), generating long-term maintenance plans, inspection schedules, service intervals, cost forecasts and critical spares lists to minimize downtime and extend asset life.
  • Develop detailed project plans, timelines and resource allocation for refits and major maintenance projects; monitor progress daily, identify bottlenecks, and implement corrective actions to keep projects on schedule.
  • Manage program budgets including cost estimate development, cost tracking, variance analysis and monthly reporting; recommend cost-saving measures and vendor alternatives without compromising safety or quality.
  • Oversee technical specification writing and scope-of-work development for contractors and shipyards; prepare tender documents, evaluate quotes, negotiate contracts and manage contract change control and approvals.
  • Act as the primary shipyard liaison during refit and repair periods: coordinate docking arrangements, supervise yard workmanship, ensure access to ship systems, and enforce quality control inspection regimes.
  • Supervise and mentor on-site technical teams and off-site specialists (engineers, electricians, HVAC, composites, paint specialists), set performance expectations, and conduct post-job debriefs and lessons-learned reviews.
  • Ensure vessel and program compliance with international and flag state regulations (SOLAS, MARPOL, ISM) and class society rules; maintain certificates, coordinate surveys and facilitate corrective actions for non-conformities.
  • Manage operational readiness for charter and owner use: coordinate sea trials, system testing, acceptance checks and final sign-off; ensure spare parts and consumables are stocked for intended operations.
  • Implement and monitor safety management procedures on-board and during shipyard activities, enforce PPE, hot-work permits, confined space controls and occupational safety programs to reduce incidents and protect personnel.
  • Coordinate procurement and logistics for parts, equipment and specialized services, including lead-time management for critical components and customs/transport guidance for international refit projects.
  • Maintain accurate technical records, service histories, electrical and system drawings, and refit documentation in digital repositories to support warranty claims, lifecycle planning and audits.
  • Liaise with owners, captains and charter teams to translate owner priorities into technical plans, manage expectations, provide regular status updates and present cost/time trade-offs for decision-making.
  • Conduct risk assessments and contingency planning for program activities, creating mitigation strategies for schedule delays, supply chain disruption, or emergent technical issues.
  • Oversee warranty management and vendor performance follow-up, ensuring timely remedial action, rework supervision and documentation closure after defects are reported.
  • Coordinate third-party inspections and surveys (classification, flag, P&I, insurers) and prepare vessels for attendance, including pre-inspection rectification programs and documentation packages.
  • Implement continuous improvement initiatives across maintenance and refit processes, including root-cause analysis of repeat failures, supplier performance reviews and updated vendor scorecards.
  • Supervise fuel, lube oil and inventory management strategies to optimize consumption for operational requirements and refit/ferry movements while ensuring environmental compliance.
  • Manage multi-vessel programs where applicable, prioritizing resource sharing, scheduling efficiencies and central procurement to reduce overall program spend.
  • Provide technical support and troubleshooting during at-sea breakdowns or emergent failures, coordinating remote guidance, parts shipment and technical escalation where required.
  • Develop and deliver training programs for crew and shoreside teams on maintenance best practices, equipment operation, safety procedures and emergency response relevant to program activities.
  • Collaborate with design teams and naval architects for modifications, structural changes, stability assessments and system integrations during refit and upgrade projects to meet owner specifications.
  • Maintain vendor and subcontractor networks, identify and qualify specialty contractors, carry out site visits and audits to ensure capability, quality and safety alignment.
  • Produce comprehensive program reports, including status dashboards, cost-to-complete forecasts, technical risk matrices and lessons learned for executive stakeholders and owners.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc vessel assessments and technical feasibility studies for proposed owner upgrades or charter expansion plans.
  • Contribute to the development of fleet-level policies, SOPs and technical standards to harmonize maintenance and procurement across all managed yachts.
  • Collaborate with commercial and charter teams to align program scheduling with charter calendars and revenue maximization strategies.
  • Participate in cross-functional planning meetings and provide technical input into capital expenditure (CapEx) cycles and multi-year maintenance budgets.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Vessel maintenance planning and execution (PMS/CMMS) with demonstrated experience setting up and optimizing maintenance programs.
  • Refit and dry-dock program management including scope creation, tendering, contract negotiation, and quality assurance.
  • Strong understanding of maritime regulations and classification society requirements (SOLAS, MARPOL, ISM Code, flag state compliance).
  • Mechanical, electrical and marine systems knowledge — propulsion systems, generators, HVAC, hydraulics, plumbing, stabilization systems and auxiliary systems.
  • Hands-on experience with shipyard processes, welding/fabrication methods, composite repairs, painting systems and structural inspections.
  • Project management tools and methodologies (MS Project, Primavera, Asana or equivalent) and capable of producing Gantt charts, critical path analysis and resource-loaded schedules.
  • Technical documentation management: drawings control, P&ID comprehension, equipment manuals, warranty tracking and digital recordkeeping.
  • Procurement, vendor selection and contract management experience with supplier performance evaluation and cost negotiation.
  • Experience with stability and weight control during refits and familiarity with naval architecture constraints and sea trials.
  • Familiarity with maritime software and tools (planned maintenance systems such as AMOS, OneOcean, QuickFleet, FLEET, or similar) and proficiency with MS Office (Excel for financial tracking).
  • Budgeting and financial acumen — cost estimation, variance analysis, CAPEX/OPEX planning and reporting.
  • Risk assessment and safety management experience, including hot work control, confined space procedures and accident investigation.
  • Logistics and customs coordination for international parts procurement, transport and duty planning.

Soft Skills

  • Strong leadership and team management skills: ability to lead diverse technical teams, contractors and cross-functional stakeholders.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management: clear written and verbal updates for owners, captains and executive leadership.
  • Problem-solving and decisive decision-making under pressure with practical, safety-first orientation.
  • Negotiation and conflict resolution skills for contractor disputes, scope changes and schedule trade-offs.
  • Organizational skills and attention to detail for multi-project tracking, documentation and compliance.
  • Adaptability and resilience: comfortable operating in dynamic schedules, overseas shipyards and remote operations.
  • Coaching and mentoring ability to upskill crew and junior technical staff.
  • Customer- and owner-centric mindset with demonstrated ability to manage expectations and achieve high satisfaction.
  • Cultural sensitivity and diplomacy for international crews, yards and suppliers.
  • Time management and prioritization across competing operational demands.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree or technical diploma in Marine Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Naval Architecture, Maritime Operations, or related field — or equivalent hands-on yachting experience and certifications.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture or Maritime Business; professional certifications in project management (PMP), or maritime management qualifications.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Marine Engineering
  • Naval Architecture
  • Maritime Operations
  • Mechanical or Electrical Engineering
  • Project Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 6–12+ years of combined technical and supervisory experience in yacht management, shipyard refits, or maritime maintenance programs; minimum 3–5 years in a supervisory or program lead role.

Preferred:

  • Prior experience supervising multiple refits or multi-vessel maintenance programs, proven track record with large motor yachts (50m+), international shipyard experience, class/flag liaison exposure and demonstrated budgetary ownership.
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