BASEL OFFICE - Nautical Compliance Manager

Viking was founded in 1997 and provides destination-focused voyages on oceans, rivers and lakes around the world. Designed for experienced travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers experiences for The Thinking Person.

Viking has more than 250 awards to its name, including being rated #1 for Rivers, #1 for Oceans and #1 for Expeditions by Condé Nast Traveler and voted at the top of its categories by Travel + Leisure. No other cruise line has ever received these same honors by both publications at the same time.

Please note that we can only accept applicants who are eligible to work in Switzerland or in possession of a valid work permit.

ROLE DESCRIPTION

As Nautical Compliance Manager you will be part of the Viking’s Nautical Operations River team and you will be responsible for maintaining our ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), and Green Award certifications.

You will report directly to the Director of Nautical Compliance and play a key role in implementing and maintaining our safety and compliance framework. Your responsibilities will include supporting onboard teams and ensuring clear, consistent communication with relevant authorities. Viking operates the most advanced Safety Management System (SMS) on inland waterways, and this position is vital to driving its ongoing enhancement. The role is based in Basel, Switzerland in our Operational Head Office in Basel, and requires travelling on a need basis for about 10-20% of the time.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Safety and Compliance Oversight

• Maintaining communication with internal and external stakeholders regarding compliance-related matters
• Ensuring the Safety Management System is up to date
• Monitoring Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) related activities across all vessels
• Maintaining an overview of legal requirements regarding Health, Safety and Environmental sustainability

Certification and Audits

• Planning, coordinating, and leading external audits (ISO 45001, ISO 14001, SUVA, Green Award)
• Acting as the primary contact for certification bodies and auditing entities
• Organizing internal audits and ensure timely follow-up on findings

Authority Engagement

• Managing communication with European authorities regarding incidents, inspections or fines
• Providing direct support to onboard teams during authority visits or follow-ups

Incident Analysis and Risk Management

• Analyzing incident and near-miss reports
• Conducting onboard interviews, identifying root causes, and formulating recommendations
• Developing post-incident learning materials and participating in follow-up training
• Supporting the design and implementation of incident reporting tools

Learning, Communication & Culture Building

• Developing and delivering compliance-related training in cooperation with the education team
• Leading internal communication campaigns on safety topics and performance insights
• Organizing and facilitating Health, Safety & Environmental Steering Committee meetings
• Acting as a key contact point for captains and other departments (Onboard Operations, Human Resources, Infrastructure, Claims & Damages) on Health, Safety and Environmental matters
• Contributing to fleet-wide safety campaigns and awareness strategies

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

• Solid understanding of health & safety and environmental management
• Fluent in English (written and spoken); German is an asset
• Strong communicator, both written and verbal
• Experience in project coordination and cross-department collaboration
• Creative approach to communication (e.g., presentations, videos)
• Internal or Lead Auditor certification
• Familiarity with Microsoft 365 and SharePoint

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Maritime Management, Nautical Sciences, Logistics, or a related field, or equivalent relevant professional experience in nautical crew planning or maritime operations.

COMMUNITY & CULTURE

• Fast-growing and dynamic environment, a modern workspace, flexible working hours

HOW TO APPLY

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