Business Development Manager, Europe

Seaspan employees are goal-driven and thrive in a high-performance culture. Our integrated business model, with over 25 years of fleet life-cycle management expertise, provides the world’s major shipping companies with long-term leases on large, modern and technologically advanced vessels, combined with industry-leading ship management services. As owner and operator of the vessels, we provide skilled officers and crews dedicated to the safe, reliable, and economical operation of our fleet. Seaspan's fleet has evolved over time to meet the varying needs of our customer base. We own vessels in a wide range of sizes, from 2,500 TEU to 24,000 TEU. Our main operating offices are located in Singapore, Vancouver, Hong Kong, and Mumbai. 

The Business Development Manager, Europe supervises daily charter operations on company-managed vessels, closely monitors company’s chartered vessels’ roll off profile taking necessary steps to secure best possible employment and is a key member in successful customer management. The Business Development Manager, Europe as a key member of our customer-facing team in and proactively interfaces with Seaspan's stakeholders to create solutions for clients – which result in creating new revenue and ‘deals’, sells Seaspan’s wider abilities and services and contributes to the growth of Seaspan's current client base and overall market share. This position will work closely with Seaspan’s broader Commercial team in order to lead and/or support business development, business relationship management, acquisitions, and new project development.

This is a full-time role that can be based in Copenhagen, Marseilles, Hamburg, or another leading maritime European city. 

Responsibilities: Chartering and Business Development

• Market and negotiate the employment of Seaspan’s existing vessels for charter, in coordination with the Director, Business Development, Europe
• Works in conjunction with the Vancouver and APAC teams to identify charter opportunities targeting maximization of company’s future contracted revenue and utilization
• Effectively represents Seaspan’s interests and prospects in the Europe region, enhancing Seaspan’s connectivity with the client base and other industry players
• Actively participates in business activities related to development and creation of new business opportunities to maximize revenues, utilization and favorable charter rates
• Partners with other Commercial Operations / Business Development / Asset and Technology Seaspan team members to deliver best in class customer service

Responsibilities: Relationship Management & Market Intelligence

• Support in the relationship management of Seaspan Europe and other clients as needed through proactively engaging with them on various aspects of their business in order to tailor make solutions which anticipate and address their business needs, opportunities, challenges and requirements
• Participates in the research, monitoring and reporting of market conditions, trends and charter rates for the industry through all appropriate means
• Contributes in the identification of key decision makers within Seaspan’s clients, and potential customer base, and develop solid relationships to best understand a given client’s fleet/solution requirements
• Actively participates and contributes in the preparation and timely delivery (i.e. monthly) of customer analysis and studies (“customer books”) that includes analysis of their operated (chartered and owned) fleet, financials, new-build orderbook and recent news
• Responsible for preparing and delivering timely (i.e. monthly) competitor analysis and studies including analysis of their operated (chartered and owned) fleet, financials, new-build orderbook and recent news

Responsibilities: Day-to-day Account Management

• Participates in the timely creation of charter parties, fixture notes and addenda working in collaboration with Commercial Operations and Legal departments
• Establishes and maintains a positive working relationship with our corporate team members in pursuit of providing an effective multiskilled approach to engaging with clients – actual and prospective. Work with other departments to ensure deliverables are met
• Monitor charter party obligations of company vessels and establish and maintain a positive working relationship with charterers while effectively identifying, communicating internally and managing risks and business interests
• Assists Commercial Operations function and provides effective service level monitoring and delivery to Seaspan’s clients and proactively engages with the corporate team for corrective or proactive measures, in coordination with Commercial Director, Commercial Operations
• Monitor charter party obligations of both Seaspan and clients, providing an informed risk management overview and collaborative engagement with customer base in coordination with the corporate team
• Demonstrates teamwork; establishes rapport and maintains effective and collaborative working relationships within the office and external customers

Job Requirements:

• Knowledge and good understanding of various charter party forms (time-charter and bareboat)
• Capable and agile in a continuously evolving business environment
• Able to manage multiple projects with efficiency and effectiveness
• Action-oriented and results-driven; able to work autonomously and with a global, diverse team
• Is a strategic thinker with ability to develop and apply creative solutions to business challenges
• Demonstrated ability and track record of thinking strategically and executing on agreed strategy
• Able to negotiate with and influence others, establish rapport and build and maintain effective working relationships
• Excellent ability to identify emerging opportunities through effective customer engagement will be core to the role
• Self-starter with strong team-oriented work ethic, who appreciates that results come from a strong cross-functional effort
• Must be able to properly analyze situations, mitigate and manage risk, and determine a suitable course of action as part of problem- solving skills
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills
• Has positive, can-do attitude that is infectious throughout the enterprise
• Post-secondary degree in relevant field from a recognized institution
• Minimum five years’ experience in chartering, post-fixture or operations/commercial management
• German or French language skills are a plus
• International travel is required and may be on short notice
• Availability via mobile device outside of office hours

Seaspan Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status. We thank all applicants in advance. If your application is shortlisted to be included in the interview process, one of our team will be in contact with you.