Director, Safety - Disney Signature Experiences

About the Role:

The Director, Safety – Disney Signature Experiences (DSE) leads the enterprise-wide Safety Compliance program for Disney Cruise Line and broader Disney Signature Experiences, ensuring that the magic of Disney travel, cruise, and vacation offerings is delivered within a robust, world-class safety framework across ships, private islands, and shoreside operations.

Responsibilities:

This executive leader oversees multiple safety specialties and departments, providing strategic direction through senior managers to maintain compliance with the Disney Cruise Line® Safety Management System (SMS), Disney Corporate Safety Standards, and all applicable international, national, flag state, and local regulations across DSE businesses. The role is accountable for defining and executing functional safety strategies, driving continuous improvement in safety performance, and partnering with leaders across Disney Experiences to protect guests, crew, Cast Members, and company assets while enabling innovative, guest-centric experiences. Success in this role requires a strategic, accountable, and collaborative leader who can inspire teams, manage complex risk, and align safety priorities with business goals.

• Lead the Safety Compliance program for Disney Signature Experiences, maintaining alignment with the Disney Cruise Line® Safety Management System, Disney Corporate Safety Standards, and all relevant international, national, flag state, and local regulations across shipboard and shoreside operations.
• Serve as Deputy Designated Person Ashore (DPA) for Disney Cruise Line, providing independent oversight of operating programs and strategic feedback to accountable leaders on critical safety and compliance matters.
• Define and communicate the long-term safety vision, strategies, expectations, and priorities for multiple safety specialties, ensuring that team objectives align with DSE and Disney Experiences business goals and key outcomes.
• Lead and develop teams of safety professionals and senior managers, providing continuous coaching, feedback, and career development support while fostering a culture of accountability, care, and inclusion grounded in Disney values.
• Chair the Safety Committee, contribute to Environmental Committee activities, and lead internal safety communications and messaging to promote a strong safety culture across all DSE businesses.
• Oversee cross-functional identification, tracking, and resolution of safety and compliance issues across the fleet and island destinations, driving risk reduction, hazard mitigation, and sustained compliance with SMS and regulatory requirements.
• Lead internal SMS/ISM audits (including international offices), maintain long-range audit schedules, oversee audit reporting, and ensure effective closure of non-conformities, continuous improvement reports, and corrective actions.
• Direct and support safety incident investigations, root-cause analyses, and operational risk assessments, using safety and compliance metrics and audit data to identify emerging trends and inform strategic decisions and improvements.
• Partner closely with Marine and Technical Operations, newbuild, and dry dock project teams to integrate safety and compliance requirements into projects, dry docks, and maintenance programs, ensuring operational readiness and regulatory alignment.
• Act as a primary liaison with flag and port state authorities, Recognized Organizations, and other regulatory and industry bodies, representing Disney Cruise Line on matters related to ISM, ISPS, MLC, STCW, and other maritime regulations, particularly in European operations.
• Support Emergency Operations Center responses and major operational incidents, coordinating with shipboard and shoreside leaders to manage safety and compliance concerns under time-sensitive conditions.
• Align DSE safety programs with broader Disney Experiences safety initiatives, collaborating with senior leaders to ensure integration, consistency, and continuous improvement across theme parks, resorts, cruise, and other guest experiences.
• Model strategic thinking, effective planning, and prioritization by clearly communicating the “why” and “what” behind safety decisions, empowering teams to take ownership of outcomes and innovate within a strong safety framework.

Required Qualifications:

• Extensive maritime industry experience leading safety and compliance programs, including SMS governance, internal SMS/ISM audits, and support of DPA functions (e.g., Deputy DPA responsibilities).
• Proven leadership of safety incident investigations, root-cause analyses, and operational risk assessments, with a track record of implementing corrective actions and occupational safety improvements across complex operations.
• Strong ability to analyze safety and compliance metrics, identify emerging risk trends, and leverage incident and audit tracking systems to guide decisions and evaluate corrective-action effectiveness.
• Demonstrated experience leading, coaching, and developing safety professionals and influencing cross-functional shipboard and shoreside leaders to strengthen safety culture and performance.
• Deep knowledge of complex marine and technical systems and broad knowledge of maritime regulations, with the ability to maintain and expand this expertise as regulatory requirements evolve.
• Advanced teamwork, collaboration, and conflict-resolution skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective professional relationships at all organizational levels and with external partners.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing safety and compliance documentation and engaging diverse audiences, up to and including senior executives and external authorities.
• Ability to work independently, drive results, and coordinate diverse, multi-location teams in a fast-paced, 24/7 operational environment, including frequent travel with a valid passport.
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• 10+ years of relevant experience, including 5+ years in management roles leading safety, compliance, or maritime operational teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• ISM Code Lead Auditor certification or completion of an accredited ISO 9001 lead auditor training course.
• In-depth knowledge of Classification Society Rules and key maritime regulatory frameworks, including ISM, SOLAS, MLC, ISPS, MARPOL, STCW, ILO, IGF Code, flag requirements, and Port State Control regulations.
• Experience in high-level maritime, law enforcement, corporate security, or safety leadership roles overseeing complex international operations, crisis management, and risk mitigation programs.
• Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., maritime management, safety, engineering, or related discipline).

PAY TRANSPARENCY

The hiring range for this position in Celebration, FL is $179,300.00 to $240,400.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

This position is with Magical Cruise Company, Limited, which is part of a business we call Disney Signature Experiences.

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Magical Cruise Company, Limited is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

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