Get to Know Us
At Svitzer, keeping ports running and global trade moving takes more than crews on the water. Behind every safe towage job is a shore-based team making it happen. From operations and technical to planning, systems, and compliance - we rely on capable people who understand the importance of doing things properly. If you're looking for meaningful work with a tight-knit team that backs each other - you'll be in good company.
We are currently seeking an Operations Centre Manager to join our Newcastle based team on a permanent, full-time basis. This role leads the East Coast Operations Centre, overseeing 24/7 towage operations across multiple ports and acting as the key link between operations, commercial teams, customers, regulators and industry partners.
Why You'll Want to Join Us
This is an operational leadership role at the heart of our East Coast business. You'll lead a capable team in a dynamic 24/7 environment, providing real-time operational oversight, managing escalations and emergency responses, and ensuring safe, efficient and commercially sound service delivery.
You'll have genuine influence, shaping performance standards, strengthening stakeholder relationships, driving continuous improvement and ensuring our operations remain compliant, customer focused and future ready.
How You'll Make a Difference
Reporting to the General Manager your key responsibilities will include:
* Lead 24/7 port operations across NSW, QLD and VIC, ensuring safe, compliant and efficient service delivery.
* Act as the primary point of contact for operational issues and escalations, providing clear, real-time updates and guidance to customers, port authorities, government agencies and internal teams.
* Coordinate and manage emergency and incident responses, working closely with maritime safety authorities and service partners to ensure timely and effective outcomes.
* Lead, roster and develop the operations team, overseeing recruitment, performance management and ongoing training to build capability and engagement.
* Oversee financial and administrative performance, including payroll, budgeting, and cost control.
* Monitor performance and compliance standards, preparing reports and driving accountability across safety, operational and commercial outcomes.
* Build and maintain strong relationships with port authorities, regulators, customers and industry partners.
* Set the tone for safety, leading by example and driving continuous improvement in safe work practices
What You'll Bring
To thrive in this role, you'll bring:
* Practical experience in the maritime industry, with a strong interest in shore-based marine operations within a 24/7 operational environment.
* Proven operational and people leadership capability, including workforce planning, fostering teamwork, and maintaining high performance in dynamic settings.
* A strong safety mindset and a willingness to learn, adapt, and contribute to continuous improvement on the ground
* Excellent stakeholder, customer, and team communication skills, with the ability to build respectful relationships and represent the organisation professionally.
* Solid time management - you're organised, adaptable, and able to stay focused when things get busy
* Commercial and financial awareness, with experience supporting operational budgets, performance outcomes, and cost-effective decision-making.
* High level of systems literacy, data analysis, and reporting capability, using information to support operational decisions and performance improvements.
* A working understanding of classification societies and statutory bodies is helpful, but we'll support your learning as you go
Building a Diverse Workplace
In Svitzer we value the diversity of our talent and will always strive to recruit the best person for the job – we value diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to gender, age, nationality, race, sexual orientation, disability, or religious beliefs. We are proud of our diversity and see it as a genuine source of strength for building high performing teams.
Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that members from some under-represented groups are less likely to apply for jobs if they don't meet every single qualification. At Svitzer we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles, and we are excited about hearing from you
How to Apply
To apply for this role, please click on the 'Apply Now' button and create a Candidate Home to manage your applications.