Chief of Staff

AmaWaterways, LLC•Calabasas, CA

7d•$160,000 - $180,000

About The Position

The Chief of Staff partners directly with the CEO to shape AmaWaterways’ strategic priorities and turn them into coordinated action and measurable results. Working closely with the Executive Leadership Team, this role connects strategy, growth and transformation, ensuring that the company’s most important initiatives move forward with clear ownership, sound analysis and disciplined follow-through. As a trusted thought partner to the CEO, the Chief of Staff brings independent judgment, constructive challenge and practical problem solving to complex business issues. The role leads selected enterprise initiatives, strengthens executive decision-making and helps the organization deliver profitable growth while preserving the quality of the guest and team member experience.

Requirements

At least 10 years of relevant experience in strategy, transformation, finance, commercial leadership or general management, with a track record of delivering complex initiatives and measurable business results.
Strong strategic problem-solving skills, including the ability to break complex questions into manageable components, synthesize evidence and translate analysis into executable plans.
Strong commercial and financial judgment, including business case development, return on investment analysis and an understanding of revenue, margin and operating efficiency.
Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders, build alignment across functions and cultures, and drive accountability without relying on formal authority.
Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills, with experience preparing executive and Board-level materials.
Bachelor’s degree in business, finance or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience; MBA or other relevant advanced degree preferred.
Ability to travel internationally and work effectively across time zones.

Nice To Haves

Strategy consulting experience at the engagement leadership level or above is preferred, particularly when paired with implementation, transformation or operating experience.
Experience in travel, hospitality, cruising or another international, service-oriented consumer business is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Partner with the CEO, CFO and executive leaders to develop and refresh the multiyear strategy, align priorities with the Board-approved value creation plan and translate them into annual initiatives, milestones and financial outcomes.
Assess guest demand, competitive positioning, source markets, distribution channels and destination opportunities to identify opportunities for profitable growth and emerging business risks.
Develop business cases for selected investments, market expansion, new itineraries, partnerships and capabilities supporting fleet growth. Clearly articulate alternatives, economics, resource requirements and trade-offs.
Personally lead selected CEO-sponsored initiatives from problem definition through implementation, establishing objectives, accountable owners, milestones, dependencies and measures of success.
Support executive sponsors on other strategic priorities with analysis, practical problem solving and coordination across functions.
Rapidly diagnose ambiguous or underperforming areas, develop fact-based recommendations and mobilize teams across commercial, ship and shoreside operations, finance, technology and people.
Identify barriers and competing priorities early, coordinate solutions across functions and escalate decisions requiring CEO or executive leadership input.
Coordinate executive leadership meetings, strategy reviews and planning sessions around the priorities and decisions that matter most. Prepare focused agendas and pre-reads, document decisions and ensure follow-through.
Establish a practical cadence with Finance and initiative owners to track milestones, realized financial benefits, risks and dependencies. Use strategic deep dives to resolve issues and inform decisions.
Synthesize business performance with Finance and functional leaders to identify implications for strategic priorities, drawing on bookings, occupancy, yield, profitability and guest satisfaction.
Improve decision rights, information flow and coordination across locations and time zones, helping teams simplify processes and build the capability to execute strategy independently.
Anticipate emerging issues, test assumptions and help the CEO focus attention on the highest-priority strategic and business decisions.
Partner with the CEO, CFO and executive leaders to frame strategic questions and prepare clear, decision-ready materials for Board discussions, alignment and approval.
Prepare briefs and communications for the CEO’s key internal and external engagements.
Represent the CEO in designated meetings and initiatives within agreed authority, exercising discretion and building trusted relationships with leaders and key stakeholders.