Senior Manager - Subsea - Maritime & Shipping

About This Role

Job Purpose

The Senior Manager – Subsea is responsible for the strategic, operational, and technical leadership of Divetechs complete subsea portfolio, encompassing diving operations, underwater vessel husbandry, and subsea project execution. This role ensures safe, compliant, efficient, and commercially sound delivery of all subsea activities while supporting the technical team responsible for equipment maintenance, certification, asset readiness, and audit performance.

Working across Divetechs offshore, inshore, and port environments, the role provides leadership to a 150+-person commercial diving workforce and ensures Divetech maintains its position as a trusted operator within the UAE maritime and offshore energy sectors.

About the Maritime Cluster

AD Ports Group’s Maritime & Shipping Cluster is led by Noatum Maritime, a globally connected agile entity operating across multiple countries. With a fleet of over 250 vessels and decades of expertise, Noatum Maritime offers a diverse portfolio of services delivering “everything you need on the seas.”

Responsibilities

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Develop and execute the overall subsea strategy aligned with Divetechs business plan and AD Ports corporate objectives.
• Lead the safe delivery of all diving operations, air & mixed gas across multiple asset classes (ports, offshore platforms, subsea structures, vessels).
• Oversee daily operations of the Underwater Vessel Husbandry division, ensuring compliance with AD Ports environmental regulations, vessel turnaround KPIs, and client-specific protocols.
• Provide oversight and governance to the Subsea Projects Team, ensuring all scopes are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest technical standard.
• Drive high levels of workforce performance, competency, and professionalism across a diverse pool of divers, operators, supervisors, and project personnel.

Diving Safety, Compliance & Governance

• Act as Divetechs senior accountable person for diving safety standards.
• Ensure full compliance with IMCA, ADNOC Offshore, AD Ports, UAE Federal Law, HSE, and all client-driven diving requirements.
• Maintain strict governance of Diving System Audits (DSA), Life Support Systems, chamber readiness, and vessel readiness.
• Lead incident investigations and oversee the implementation of corrective actions.
• Champion a safety-first culture and maintain Divetechs reputation for zero-harm operations.

Technical Support & Asset Management

Support the Technical Team responsible for:

• Diving system maintenance (air compressors, HP/LP systems, chambers, umbilical’s, tools).
• Equipment certification (NDT, LOLER, pressure systems, IMCA-required technical dossiers).
• Consumables and spare parts management.
• Preventive maintenance schedules & asset lifecycle plans.
• Ensure all diving equipment and spreads (DDCs, LARS, hydraulic tools, brush carts, ROVs if applicable) meet readiness, reliability, and Class/IMCA requirements.
• Collaborate with Procurement for CAPEX planning of new systems, upgrades, and technology improvements.

Financial & Commercial Accountability

• Prepare annual budgets and manage divisional OPEX & CAPEX.
• Control project cost forecasting, manpower productivity, and margin performance.
• Support tendering and proposal efforts by building technical methodologies, resourcing plans, and risk assessments.
• Ensure commercial discipline is integrated into planning, execution, and close-out of all subsea scopes.

Workforce Leadership & Capability Building

• Provide leadership to approx. 150 divers and subsea personnel across various competencies.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, competency assessments, and training planning.
• Implement succession planning for Diving Supervisors, Life Support personnel, and Project Leads.
• Promote strong teamwork and collaboration across operations, technical, QHSE, commercial, and logistics.

Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Management

Act as a senior Divetech representative with:

• AD Ports
• ADNOC Offshore
• EPC contractors
• Vessel owners & shipping agencies
• Classification societies
• Strengthening Divetechs reputation through proactive client engagement, solution development, and technical assurance.

Qualifications

Minimum 12–15 years in commercial diving operations, underwater vessel services, or offshore subsea project management.

Minimum 5+ years in a senior leadership role managing multi-disciplinary subsea teams.

• Extensive experience working within UAE offshore/port environments (AD Ports, ADNOC Offshore preferred).
• Strong knowledge of IMCA , ADNOC CoP , OSHAD, and international subsea regulatory frameworks.
• Demonstrated competency in managing large diving teams, multiple projects, and high-risk environments.
• Technical understanding of diving systems, underwater tools, maintenance practices, and equipment certification requirements.
• Commercial Offshore Diving background (ex-Diving Supervisor/LSO/Diving Superintendent) is a strong advantage.
• IMCA qualifications or relevant HSE certifications.
• Degree in Marine Engineering, Subsea Engineering, Offshore Operations, or equivalent.
• Experience managing CAPEX programs and asset replacement cycles.
• Experience with Vessel, ROV & hull cleaning technologies.
• Experience with managing & understanding contractual CPA’s

Required Skills

• Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence at all levels.
• High integrity and commitment to safety as a core value.
• Excellent decision-making in time-constrained and high-risk environments.
• Strong planning, organization, and operational discipline.
• Resilient, proactive, and solutions-focused mindset.
• Clear communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to balance commercial delivery with high compliance standards.