Vice President, Portfolio Executive, Cruise New Build – Walt Disney Imagineering (m/f/d)

Portfolio Project Management | Walt Disney Imagineering

Walt Disney Imagineering is where imagination meets world-class engineering. Our teams bring Disney’s most ambitious destinations to life—from theme parks and resorts to attractions and cruise ships—uniting storytelling, design, science and technology to create experiences enjoyed by families around the world.

This is a rare opportunity to lead at the intersection of creative ambition, technical excellence and large-scale delivery. You will shape a portfolio of complex, first-of-their-kind cruise projects, building the strategies, partnerships and high-performing teams that turn bold ideas into exceptional guest experiences.

Reporting directly to the Global Delivery Executive, Projects & Construction, Walt Disney Imagineering, you will hold ultimate portfolio-level accountability for the design and execution of complex Disney Cruise Line projects, including new ship builds. Your mandate spans commercial strategy and contract negotiation through scope, schedule, budget, integration, documentation, safety, quality, commissioning and delivery. You will also serve as Managing Director of WDI Germany (WDI Germany GmbH), based in Papenburg, carrying signing authority and statutory responsibility for the site.

Your mandate

• Set the portfolio strategy. Lead Disney Cruise Line projects that expand the business and require close engagement with global third parties, governments, agencies and new-business partners.
• Own delivery end to end. Direct multiple teams across ideation, design, construction, commissioning, operational readiness and close-out, personally leading the highest-risk programmes.
• Lead the commercial agenda. Negotiate shipbuilding contracts, specifications, slot options, project changes and claims; establish robust commercial and delivery strategies and adapt them as conditions evolve.
• Provide marine and technical leadership. Oversee vessel systems, marine engineering and technical integration from concept and contract design through construction, commissioning and entry into service.
• Shape procurement and innovation. Influence sourcing, warehouse and logistics strategies while advancing environmental and energy-efficiency technologies across current and future newbuild series.
• Protect performance. Maintain rigorous control of scope, cost, schedule, contingency, quality and safety; identify estimate gaps, understand trade-offs and ensure credible forecasts and mitigation plans.
• Create a proactive risk culture. Anticipate delivery and commercial risk, make clear decisions in complex situations and resolve competing positions without losing sight of the Disney brand or guest experience.
• Build enduring partnerships. Establish trust across project teams, design studios, operations, municipalities, shipyards, vendors and contractors, aligning diverse stakeholders around successful delivery.
• Build exceptional teams. Design and lead high-performing, multidisciplinary organisations through clear goals, decisive leadership, continuous alignment and candid feedback.
• Strengthen our European delivery capability. Lead and support the WDI London office and help optimise future design and delivery strategies across the region.
• Serve as Managing Director of WDI Germany. Hold accountability for annual management reporting, financial statements and tax returns; act as the primary contact for auditors, internal partners and advisers; and sign contracts and service agreements.
• Uphold site governance. Ensure compliance with German occupational safety, security, regulatory and labour-law obligations, supported by local HR and specialist advisers. This includes the signing authority and personal accountability associated with the Managing Director appointment.

What you will bring

• Substantial senior leadership experience—typically gained over 20 years—in engineering, architecture, construction management or a related technical field.
• Deep expertise in marine environments, including hull design, propulsion, vessel systems, procurement and technical documentation.
• Strong command of maritime regulation, safety standards and classification requirements, including those of the IMO and societies such as ABS or DNV.
• First-hand understanding of shipyard operations and drydocking, with the technical judgement to navigate complex mechanical, electrical and structural challenges.
• A track record of delivering complex, high-value programmes in cruise, marine, themed entertainment or a comparably demanding environment.
• Proven success leading large, multidisciplinary teams of employees, consultants, vendors and contractors across geographies and organisational boundaries.
• Exceptional commercial judgement, with significant experience in contract negotiation, administration, project changes and claims management.
• The ability to connect market conditions and business drivers to strategy, investment choices, negotiation positions and delivery decisions.
• Executive presence and communication skills, including the ability to facilitate, build alignment, resolve conflict and communicate complex issues clearly to varied audiences.

Education

A bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, construction management or another relevant technical discipline is required, or an equivalent combination of education and at least 15 years of relevant experience. A master’s degree in an applicable field is preferred.

Our company culture is built on diversity and inclusion. We therefore welcome and consider all applications regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic or social origin, religion or belief, disability, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

You'll join a team grounded in our Disney values — acting with Integrity, welcoming everyone through Inclusion, embracing boundless Creativity, working together through Collaboration and caring deeply for our Community. These values shape how we work and how we support one another every day

This position is with Walt Disney Imagineering (Germany) GmbH, which is part of a business we call Walt Disney Imagineering.

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