Contract Manager, Cruise

Wärtsilä•Houston, TX

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

Wärtsilä is seeking a Contract Manager to oversee end-to-end delivery of long-term maintenance agreements covering engines and associated auxiliary systems for a strategic cruise customer. The role is permanent and follows a hybrid working model, with the preferred location at the company's Ft. Lauderdale, Florida location. The Contract Manager is part of Agreement Management and Delivery, a team focused on building a proactive and transparent customer partnership while maximizing agreement value through customer success, operational performance, and margin protection. The position reports to the GM, Agreement Management. The role requires customer engagement and cross-functional coordination to ensure contractual commitments are delivered safely, cost-effectively, and to a high standard. The Contract Manager supports customer satisfaction, financial performance, contract continuity and renewals, while contributing to sales and tendering activities, risk management, and continuous improvement. Travel to meet customers around the world is required approximately 10% of the time, although most meetings are held virtually.

Requirements

Minimum 5 years of experience in the marine, cruise, or a similar industry.
Good understanding of operations and maintenance of complex machinery, such as marine engines or similar assets.
Strong financial and commercial awareness, with experience managing contract performance.
Structured and proactive approach, with strong planning and prioritization skills.
Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to collaborate across teams and cultures.
Customer-focused mindset and solution-oriented approach.
Ability to identify risks and drive corrective actions in a timely and constructive manner.
Willingness to travel approximately 10% to meet customers around the world.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent related experience.
Experience managing long-term service or maintenance agreements.

Responsibilities

Execute assigned agreements in accordance with contractual commitments, Wärtsilä processes, and sound management practices, ensuring safe and cost-effective delivery.
Serve as a primary customer contact, maintaining proactive communication and resolving operational and commercial topics in a timely manner.
Lead cross-functional collaboration with technical, operational, and financial stakeholders to deliver contract scope effectively.
Drive actions that improve customer satisfaction and contract profitability.
Plan, forecast, and monitor financial KPIs, including sales, margin, and cost development, for assigned agreements.
Set annual targets for each contract and track performance against those objectives.
Identify and assess contract execution risks and implement mitigation plans proactively.
Escalate risks and issues as needed, providing clear summaries and recommended actions.
Ensure high quality and consistency in contract execution and deliverables.
Support sales and tendering by providing contract expertise, cost input, and risk identification at key review stages.
Monitor and support customer compliance with contractual requirements, including operational and maintenance practices and fluid quality where applicable.
Identify opportunities for upselling, contract extensions, and lifecycle value enhancement.
Manage contract mobilization and demobilization activities.
Contribute to continuous improvement by implementing new tools, processes, and ways of working.