Executive Leadership Team
Driving Strategy & Success in Executive Leadership
The executive leadership team is responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership within an organisation. This team operates as an interdependent, collaborative decision-making body in place to strategically execute the company's mission and vision.
An executive leadership team forms part of a typical board sitting alongside and making decisions with Non-Executive Directors (NED’s).
At Spinnaker, we are here to help with your next Executive Leadership role.
Example Job Descriptions
Chief Executive Officer
In most companies, this is the most senior executive director who would typically report to the board.
The CEO is responsible for implementing the strategic goals and objectives of the organisation, overseeing corporate governance, providing leadership and is likely to have responsibility for investor relations, raising equity, and responsible for mergers & acquisitions.
Chief Financial Officer
The CFO is responsible for the full range of financial activities including, but not limited to, treasury management, risk management, regulatory reporting, management accounts, investor relations, funding, internal financial reporting, and taxation.
Chief Operating Officer
A COO is responsible for implementing the company's overall business strategy. They would oversee the day-to-day running of the company, ensuring business operations and management of resources are efficient and effective. This role may also be involved in developing and implementing policies and procedures.
Chief Commercial Officer
A CCO generally sits above the head of chartering and business development and marketing departments. They will have responsibility for the development of the company’s commercial strategy, with the aim of ensuring the company’s commercial success.
Chief Human Resource Officer
The CHRO (sometimes known as Chief People Officer) has overall responsibility for all ‘people’ aspects of the business. Their role is to ensure that the human resource strategy aligns with the business goals.
General Counsel
This role is the most senior lawyer in the business who will have responsibility for all legal affairs such as contentious and non-contentious shipping issues, S&P and ship finance. They may also have responsibility for insurance and / or risk.
Example Job Titles
Chief Commercial Officer, Chief Environmental Officer, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Human Resource Officer, Chief Information Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief People Officer, Chief Technical Officer, General Counsel, General Manager, Group Chief Executive Officer, Managing Directors, President - Shipping, Regional Chief Executive Officer, Regional Managing Director, Sales Directors.
Where can I work in an executive leadership role?
Most shipping companies will employ a senior leadership team comprising of at least a CEO and CFO. Executive leadership roles are usually based in the organisation's head office, although some larger shipping companies will also employ regional CEO’s.
Key Skills and Experience
The skills and experience of various C-suite roles will vary, but consistent skills include being able to manage and inspire others and having a clear vision and being able to plan and communicate this effectively.
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To find out more about executive leadership team jobs, please get in touch with the team who specialise in these vacancies.
Real Life Stories from Marine Professionals
My career started in the Port of Cape Town’s dry dock division after graduating as a mechanical engineer with masters in naval architecture. My university professor mentioned that DNV was looking to hire a class surveyor.
I’d never heard of DNV and didn’t know what a class surveyor did, but after asking around it seemed like an adventure despite the jokes about “tank diving”. During the interview process I pointed out that I had never sailed on a ship and asked if it could be arranged. So, on joining DNV, I sailed on a 26-year-old bulk carrier with gantry cranes, splitting my time between the deck and engine departments.
Living and working onboard a ship, even for a short time, will provide you with a healthy respect for seafarers and other valuable insights. I highly recommend this to anyone looking to build a career in shipping.
There are few industries which offer such a rich multicultural experience and the opportunity to experience working and living abroad. While we have some way to go, we see more women and minorities in leadership positions every year and this trend will continue.
I can’t think of another industry where you can contribute to global prosperity, while also being part of solution to reduce harmful emissions. In this sense shipping is “part of the solution, not part of the problem”.
Martin Crawford-Brunt
CEO, Lookout Maritime
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Did you know?
Approximately 33 billion gallons of fuel are consumed by cargo ships annually.
Teresa is fantastic. I am working with so many recruiters globally, and Teresa is the best by far. I am just happy to connect with her and praise how fantastic she is.