Crewing Lead

DeepOcean Africa is seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Crewing Lead to oversee and manage the daily operations of our crewing department. In this role, you will be responsible for the coordination, planning, organization, and administration of all crewing activities, ensuring the efficient deployment and support of vessel and ROV personnel across DeepOcean Africa Operations.
The Crewing Lead plays a pivotal role in ensuring the seamless execution of crewing operations across DeepOcean Africa’s (DOAF) vessel and ROV activities.
This position is responsible for collaborating closely with internal stakeholders to align project and vessel schedules with accurate crewing forecasts and planning.
You will lead efforts to source, select, and retain capable and competent personnel from both internal and external talent pools, ensuring operational readiness and compliance with all regulatory and client requirements.
As the primary point of contact for all crewing matters, both internally and externally, you will represent the crewing function within DOAF, ensuring effective communication, issue resolution, and continuous improvement in support of project delivery and offshore performance.
The Crewing Lead will be located in Sète office (South of France) and will report to the Vessel & Operations Manager.
KEYS TASKS
Collaborate with operational and project stakeholders to support the selection, onboarding, and employment of qualified offshore personnel.
Lead the crewing team in coordinating crew changes and supporting DeepOcean Africa’s offshore operations, covering key roles such as ROV, Survey, Marine, Inspection & Seabed Intervention, Deck, and Technical personnel.
Develop, manage, and maintain the overall crewing schedule, ensuring effective allocation of personnel across DOAF vessel and ROV operations.
Optimize crewing strategies to ensure competency, continuity, and retention of key offshore personnel.
Implement cost-effective crewing solutions by balancing permanent staff with agency personnel, while ensuring operational needs are met.
Support the development and execution of competence matrix in collaboration with key stakeholders, ensuring offshore personnel meet project and regulatory requirements.
Develop, implement, and maintain crewing procedures tailored to the needs of DOAF operations.
Oversee crew change logistics, including travel arrangements, visa processing, and accommodation.
Ensure timely sourcing of qualified replacement personnel in cases of absence or sickness.
Coordinate with staffing agencies to secure high-caliber personnel and monitor market rates to ensure competitive and cost-effective hiring.
Generate necessary purchase orders related to crewing activities in collaboration with the procurement department.
Ensure all crew documentation—such as CVs, certifications, training records, and personal details—is accurate, complete, and up to date in the personnel system.
Maintain up-to-date records of all crew activities and assignments in the personnel database.
KEY BEHAVIOURS
**Live Our Core Values**: Demonstrate a strong commitment to DeepOcean’s core values of Attitude, Courage, and Teamwork in all aspects of work and decision-making.
**Results-Oriented**: Ensure timely and efficient delivery of crewing activities to support project and operational schedules.
**Collaborative Communication**: Build and maintain strong, effective relationships with key stakeholders to deliver accurate and reliable crewing plans.
**Lead by Example**: Serve as a role model for professionalism, integrity, and a strong work ethic within the crewing department.
**Mentorship & Support**: Provide guidance and support to the Personnel Coordinator and Crewing Assistant, helping them grow in their roles and responsibilities.
**Crew-Centric Approach**: Be responsive and approachable in addressing inquiries or concerns from offshore personnel.
**Positive Work Environment**: Actively contribute to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative team culture.
EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree or diploma in a relevant field (e.g. Human Resources, Maritime Studies, Business Administration, or equivalent).
Proven experience in a leadership or supervisory role within a crewing or personnel function.
Prior experience in an international crewing role, ideally within the subsea, offshore, or maritime industry.
Strong understanding of offshore crewing logistics, compliance requirements, and international mobility.
Familiarity with industry-specific roles such as ROV, Survey, Marine, Inspection, and Seabed Intervention is a strong advantage.