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Senior Manager, Decarbonization and Energy Strategy

Royal Caribbean Group United States Added on Sep 9, 2026
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This role leads the practical translation of Royal Caribbean Group’s ambitious climate goals into operational reality across a massive global fleet. You will own specific decarbonization workstreams, moving beyond high-level strategy to manage the technical delivery of energy efficiency projects, digital optimization, and alternative fuel adoption. By bridging the gap between corporate vision and engineering execution, you ensure that every new ship and existing vessel moves closer to net-zero operations.

The impact is significant because the maritime sector faces unique, hard-to-abate engineering challenges that require immediate innovation. You are at the forefront of shifting one of the world’s largest cruise operators toward low-carbon fuels and battery electrification, directly protecting the oceans these ships navigate. This position is vital for maintaining the company’s license to operate in an increasingly regulated environmental landscape.

This suits someone who blends technical program management with a deep understanding of maritime energy systems and carbon policy. You should be an analytical problem-solver who enjoys navigating complex cross-functional environments and driving pace in large-scale industrial settings.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission of this role is to transform high-level decarbonization ambitions into measurable operational outcomes. You will own end-to-end delivery for workstreams such as energy efficiency, digital optimization, and the integration of enabling technologies like battery electrification and shore power. Beyond project management, you are responsible for the analytical modeling of emissions trajectories and abatement costs. This involves quantifying the financial implications of green initiatives, including ROI and scenario analysis, to support executive-level decision-making and ensure the fleet meets evolving global compliance standards.

Key learning opportunities for this job

You will gain unparalleled exposure to the maritime energy transition, a sector currently at the cutting edge of industrial decarbonization. Working with a global fleet provides deep insights into the practical challenges of scaling hydrogen, methanol, and other alternative fuels in a high-stakes engineering environment. Additionally, you will refine your expertise in carbon pricing and regulatory navigation, specifically regarding IMO and EU ETS impacts on the shipping industry. The role offers a unique vantage point to learn how large-scale CAPEX decisions are balanced against long-term environmental sustainability targets.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate brings a decade of experience, likely from a background in engineering, environmental science, or strategy consulting. You should possess a high degree of technical literacy regarding energy systems, combined with the financial acumen to build business cases for multi-million dollar investments. Crucially, you need to be a disciplined program leader who can manage complex milestones without losing sight of the strategic goal. Experience in the maritime or heavy transport sector is highly preferred, as is the ability to influence senior leaders without having direct authority over their operational budgets.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, move beyond general sustainability knowledge and demonstrate a concrete understanding of maritime regulations like EEXI, CII, or FuelEU Maritime. Your application should highlight specific instances where you successfully moved a sustainability project from a pilot phase to full-scale operational implementation. Given the focus on 'disciplined delivery,' emphasizing your PMO skills—such as experience with workstream charters, risk registries, and benefit tracking—will be highly advantageous. Show the hiring team that you are not just a strategist, but an 'integrator' who can work effectively with marine engineers and finance directors alike.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

This role is the engine room of the company's Decarbonization Roadmap. It focuses heavily on Scope 1 and Scope 2 emission reductions through technical vessel upgrades and operational efficiencies. You will be instrumental in evaluating the feasibility of low-carbon fuel sourcing and the technical readiness of newbuild ships to accept future green technologies. There is also a significant focus on governance and compliance. As international maritime laws tighten, your work ensures the company avoids financial penalties and remains a leader in ethical, responsible cruising by minimizing the environmental footprint of every guest vacation.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the steepest challenges is managing cross-functional trade-offs between operational efficiency and guest experience or financial margins. You will need to convince diverse departments that long-term decarbonization goals are worth the short-term operational shifts or capital expenditures. Furthermore, the regulatory landscape is shifting rapidly. Staying ahead of international carbon taxes and technological breakthroughs requires constant vigilance and the ability to pivot strategies quickly when new data or technologies emerge in the maritime market.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day involves a mix of analytical modeling and stakeholder orchestration. You might start by reviewing emission trajectory data in Excel, followed by a meeting with the Newbuilding team to discuss the energy profile of a ship scheduled for delivery in three years. Afternoons are often spent facilitating workshops to unblock project bottlenecks or preparing executive-ready presentations for the Senior Director of Decarbonization. You act as the bridge, translating technical engineering data into strategic financial recommendations that move the needle on the company's net-zero journey.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

This role offers high visibility within the corporate structure, positioning you as a subject matter expert in one of the company's most critical strategic pillars. Successful delivery of decarbonization workstreams can lead to senior leadership roles within Environmental Programs or Global Marine Operations. There are also significant opportunities for industry-wide recognition. By leading innovation in maritime energy strategy, you will likely represent the company in industry forums and working groups, building a professional profile as a leader in the global shipping energy transition.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact extensively with Marine Operations and Newbuilding teams to ensure technical feasibility, as well as the Supply Chain department for fuel sourcing initiatives. Finance is another critical partner for ROI tracking and CAPEX forecasting. Externally, you may engage with technology providers, fuel suppliers, and regulatory bodies. Within the team, you will manage 1–2 direct reports, serving as a coach and mentor while reporting directly to the Senior Director of Decarbonization to ensure departmental alignment.

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