Consultant, Principal

American Bureau of Shipping•Washington, DC

9d•$120,000 - $140,000•Remote

About The Position

The Principal Consultant serves as a technical consultant and project lead for maritime client engagements involving risk management, safety, and regulatory compliance. The role provides technical and strategic advice to shipowners, operators, ports, offshore organizations, and government-related stakeholders on maritime operational and regulatory matters. It leads project planning and execution, quality assurance, client communication, and the preparation of technical reports and presentations, supporting timely and within-budget delivery across multiple assignments. The position also contributes to business development, proposal efforts, client relationship management, and promotion of ABS Group’s maritime consulting services. Although remote, the role requires regular travel of 50% or more to client sites and project locations. The consultant serves as a senior subject matter expert and trusted advisor on maritime risk, governance, and regulatory compliance. Work includes conducting and supervising risk assessments, hazard analyses, compliance and regulatory gap reviews, safety management system evaluations, audits, inspections, and incident investigations. The role develops practical recommendations and mitigation strategies, supports corrective actions and continuous improvement, mentors junior consultants, and coordinates internal and external resources. It also supports project managers through scheduling, research, data analysis, meetings, deliverable preparation, project-hour tracking, and quality assurance. The position builds customer relationships and identifies new business opportunities by understanding client needs, communicating those needs to project managers, contributing to proposals, and representing ABS Group in marketing, networking, conference, and technical publication activities. Candidates need 10 or more years of relevant professional experience, an advanced degree or a bachelor’s degree with equivalent experience, and professional certifications. The role reports to a director- or executive-level position. The position has been opened for a future need expected within three months of the original posting date; candidates may not receive communication until the headcount is confirmed.

Requirements

10 or more years of relevant professional experience.
An advanced degree, or a bachelor’s degree and equivalent experience.
Professional certifications are required.
Strong knowledge of maritime regulatory frameworks, compliance requirements, and applicable industry standards.
Knowledge of safety management systems, audit protocols, and incident investigation methods.
Ability to evaluate operational and regulatory risk and develop effective mitigation strategies.
Ability to interpret complex technical and regulatory requirements and apply them to maritime programs.
Strong analytical skills in compliance review, gap assessment, and root cause evaluation.
Ability to prepare clear technical findings, recommendations, and compliance documentation.
Ability to advise clients on maritime safety, risk management, and regulatory compliance matters.
Ability to gain, retain, and demonstrate comprehension of technical knowledge and transfer knowledge to team members.
Ability to mentor and coach mid-level consultants and develop technical skills in others.
Strong client listening and communication skills, including the ability to understand context, ask probing questions, retain information, collaborate with sales, and respond with solutions.
Openness to business change and ability to recommend and drive improvements across the business unit.
Understanding of key performance indicators and their significance to the business, with ability to take action to drive results.
Ability to leverage client relationships and subject matter expertise to identify and generate new business opportunities.
Ability to coach others on developing customer relationships and identifying opportunities.
Demonstrated ability to plan and deliver successful outcomes.
Accountability for personal and team actions, behaviors, decisions, and results.
Ability to seek feedback and use root cause analysis to improve performance.
Understanding of business goals and ability to hold self and team members accountable for commitments and high standards.
Dependability and consistency.
Independent, objective, and open-minded thinking, with strong attention to detail and sound judgment.
Proficient time management skills.
Working knowledge of the ABS Health, Safety, Quality and Environmental Management System.
Willingness and ability to travel regularly, 50% or more, to client sites and project locations.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage complex maritime consulting engagements involving risk management, safety, and regulatory compliance.
Advise maritime clients and stakeholders on operational and regulatory matters, applicable regulations, standards, classification requirements, and best practices.
Plan, direct, and oversee project execution to meet quality, schedule, budget, and client satisfaction objectives across programs and assignments.
Conduct and supervise risk assessments, hazard analyses, compliance reviews, regulatory gap assessments, and safety management system evaluations.
Develop practical recommendations and risk mitigation strategies for operational, safety, and compliance challenges.
Lead or support audits, inspections, incident investigations, corrective action planning, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Serve as a senior subject matter expert and trusted advisor on maritime risk, governance, and regulatory compliance.
Build and maintain client relationships, identify client needs and emerging opportunities, and support business development and proposals.
Prepare, review, and present technical reports, findings, recommendations, compliance documentation, and executive-level briefings.
Mentor and guide junior consultants and project team members and support their technical development.
Coordinate cross-functional resources and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to achieve program objectives.
Serve as technical expert on project tasks, ensuring quality services are delivered on schedule and within available budgets and customer requirements.
Provide frequent updates to the project manager and assist with defining and sequencing project tasks, estimating durations, and developing schedules and project plans.
Review project plans to understand scope, schedule, and assigned work; participate in client and project team meetings.
Assist with research, data analysis, and customer or stakeholder analyses.
Prepare written documents, reports, and presentations and assist with client presentations.
Track and accurately report project hours; manage multiple assignments, meet agreed deadlines, and adapt to changing client demands.
Perform quality assurance on project deliverables.
Understand the business and identify opportunities to improve effectiveness and efficiency across the business unit.
Understand ABS Group products and services, meet with clients, actively listen to their needs, and communicate those needs to project managers.
Review published reports and news about existing and potential clients to identify customer intelligence.
Represent ABS Group and promote its products and services through marketing activities, conference presentations, technical whitepapers, and networking.
Take responsibility for personal and team actions, decisions, and results; seek feedback and use root cause analysis to improve performance.
Understand business goals and key performance indicators, take action to drive results, and hold self and team members accountable for commitments and standards.