Senior Manager, Public Areas – Newbuild

Navis are supporting a major cruise ship newbuild programme and are seeking an experienced professional to oversee Public Areas Outfitting activities within a modern, highly technical shipbuilding environment.

This role is suited to a specialist with strong expertise in cruise vessel interior outfitting and public spaces delivery, looking to play a key role across complex, high-value projects.

Responsibilities

Acting as a senior authority within Public Areas Outfitting, you will oversee and verify the installation, finishing, and quality control of interior public spaces during vessel construction. The role is site-based in Papenburg, with occasional travel to partner yards across Europe.

You will be responsible for ensuring that all outfitting works meet design intent, technical specifications, owner standards, and quality expectations, while also supporting broader project phases where required.

• Supervision and inspection of Public Areas installation activities including ceilings, partitions, flooring, furniture, decorative finishes, lighting, and integrated systems
• Review and interpretation of outfitting drawings, production documentation, specifications, and installation procedures
• Monitoring installation quality, workmanship, material compliance, and finishing standards throughout all project phases
• Participation in key milestones such as mock-up reviews, cabin and public space handovers, commissioning activities, and sea trials
• Supporting design reviews, approval processes, punch list management, and final vessel acceptance
• Ensuring compliance with technical specifications, SOLAS requirements, class regulations, and shipbuilding standards
• Conducting inspections and surveys across all stages of Public Areas outfitting and interior installation
• Overseeing environmental, health, and safety compliance during outfitting and installation activities
• Providing technical input across adjacent disciplines including HVAC interfaces, MEP coordination, joinery, and interior systems integration
• Acting as a key interface between shipyard teams, interior subcontractors, designers, owners’ representatives, and project stakeholders

Requirements

• Degree or technical qualification in Interior Architecture, Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture, Construction Management, or a related discipline
• Strong background in cruise ship outfitting, ideally focused on Public Areas or high-end marine interior installations
• Experience managing or inspecting large-scale interior fit-out activities within shipbuilding or complex construction environments
• Strong understanding of marine interior materials, installation methodologies, and quality control procedures
• Chartered Engineer status (or equivalent) preferred
• Experience working with shipyards, marine interior contractors, or cruise newbuild programmes in a senior capacity

Personal Attributes

• Highly detail-oriented with a strong focus on quality, finishing standards, and compliance
• Proactive and resilient, capable of operating in fast-paced project environments
• Confident working across multiple stakeholders including shipyard teams, subcontractors, designers, and suppliers
• Collaborative approach with the ability to influence technical and production decisions

Benefits

• Long-term contract on a flagship European cruise shipbuilding programme
• Exposure to large-scale, technically advanced cruise vessel interior construction
• Potential to transition into future projects depending on performance and programme pipeline
• A professional, international environment where your expertise directly impacts delivery quality and passenger experience