The posting
Please note: This is a full-time office-based role (5 days/week)
About the role
We are looking for a Senior Newbuilding Manager to take commercial ownership of complex newbuilding and vessel investment projects across their full lifecycle, from initial business case and market engagement through contracting, construction and delivery.
This is a senior commercial role requiring strong judgement, negotiation capability and the ability to navigate high-value, complex investment decisions in a global environment. You will work closely with Fleet Technology, Network Strategy, Chartering, Vessel Portfolio Management, Finance, Treasury, Legal and other key functions to ensure projects deliver the right balance of commercial value, contractual protection, technical requirements and long-term value.
Beyond individual newbuilding projects, you will provide senior commercial capacity across the wider tonnage agenda, supporting transactions such as sale and purchase (SnP), purchase options, sale and leaseback arrangements, newbuild for time charter and contract amendments.
Key responsibilities
- Drive the commercial development, procurement and execution of assigned newbuilding and vessel investment projects, from business case through tendering, contracting, construction and delivery.
- Lead or contribute to investment business cases covering vessel specification, timing, commercial structure, risk, CAPEX, cash flows and total cost of ownership.
- Lead or support shipyard engagements, tender processes, bid evaluations and negotiations of Letters of Intent (LOIs) and Shipbuilding Contracts, in close collaboration with Legal, Fleet Technology and Finance.
- Lead commercial yard due diligence and counterparty assessments, including financial strength, risk and compliance, together with Finance, Treasury and Compliance.
- Act as the commercial contract owner throughout the project lifecycle, managing contractual milestones, payments, guarantees, options, claims and amendments.
- Coordinate cross-functional project teams and ensure high-quality, timely governance submissions, decision papers and management reporting.
- Provide flexible senior commercial capacity across the wider tonnage portfolio during peak periods, including SnP transactions, purchase options, sale and leaseback projects, newbuild for time charter and contractual amendments.
- Monitor shipyard capacity, pricing, market dynamics and competitor activity, translating market intelligence into actionable commercial analysis and recommendations.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key shipyards, shipbrokers, OEMs, advisers and internal stakeholders.
- Contribute to consistent commercial processes, knowledge sharing and lessons learned across the Newbuilding team.
- Work closely with fellow Senior Newbuilding Managers, providing support and project coverage as portfolio priorities and workloads evolve.
- Identify and escalate material commercial exposures and decisions outside agreed mandate to the Head of Newbuilding, while maintaining ownership and momentum of agreed workstreams through completion.
Who we are looking for
You are a commercially strong shipping professional who can combine strategic thinking with hands-on execution. You are comfortable taking ownership of significant commercial commitments, challenging assumptions and navigating complex negotiations involving multiple internal and external stakeholders.
You bring:
- Significant commercial experience within shipping, vessel investment, newbuilding, sale and purchase, or a comparable capital-intensive industry.
- Proven experience leading complex commercial negotiations and managing high-value contractual commitments within defined mandates.
- Strong commercial judgement and the ability to balance price, vessel specification, delivery schedule, contractual risk and long-term value.
- Experience developing investment cases and translating complex commercial considerations into clear recommendations for senior management.
- A strong track record in tendering and contracting, combined with a solid understanding of key financial indicators including CAPEX, cash flows and total cost of ownership.
- The ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously and respond effectively to changing priorities and periods of high workload.
- Strong stakeholder management skills and experience working across multiple functions in a global, matrix organisation.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence and engage confidently at senior levels.
- A good understanding of vessel specifications and maritime technology.
- Experience working with Asian shipyards is considered a strong advantage.
- A high degree of ownership, commercial integrity and attention to detail.
What success looks like
Success in this role will be measured through:
- Commercial value and contractual protection secured across assigned investments and projects.
- Quality and timeliness of investment recommendations, decision papers and governance submissions.
- Delivery within approved cost, schedule, mandate and contractual parameters.
- Effective management of commercial risks, options, milestones and contractual deadlines.
- Ability to flex across projects and transactions as portfolio priorities change.
- Strength and quality of relationships with strategic shipyards and contribution to the continued development of the shipyard supply base.
You will play an important role in ensuring that major vessel investments are commercially robust, well governed and positioned to create long-term value, while strengthening our ability to engage strategically with the global shipyard market.
Maersk is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we embrace different styles of thinking. Maersk is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants without regard to race, colour, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy or parental leave, veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all legal requirements.
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