Job Purpose

The Senior Manager – Dive Operations is a site-based leadership role responsible for overseeing the establishment, setup, and ongoing management of the dive center at the designated asset. This includes playing a key role in recruiting and building the operational team and ensuring that all facilities, systems, and processes are effectively implemented to meet world-class standards.

Once the dive center is operational, the Senior Manager will be accountable for the smooth and efficient execution of all dive and underwater tourism activities. This includes daily operations, guest experiences, safety compliance, staff performance, and alignment with environmental and brand standards.

Key responsibilities include maintaining the professional appearance and functionality of the dive center, leading dive excursions, delivering dive training and certification courses, and managing all dive-related sales and revenue streams.

Job Responsibilities

General

• Reporting directly to Galaxea Cluster Manager, assist in establishing the dive center on the asset.
• Ensure the smooth running of the dive center of the asset.
• Assist Galaxea Cluster Manager in the development of other dive centers at other assets.
• Working with the Galaxea Cluster Manager to develop a team for the operation of the dive centre at the asset.
• Manage the diving team of the dive center at the asset, the diving team could be up to 13 persons.
• Work with Sustainability and SEZ departments to ensure alignment with sensitive and high-profile environmental issues in the development and operation of Marine Life and Underwater Tourism related assets.
• Work remotely and visit office as and when required.
• Ensure all the Galaxea colleagues adhere to the DSM Red Sea global Dive Safety manual.

Establishment of Dive Center: Pre-Opening

• Work alongside the Galaxea Cluster Manager to develop and deliver the dive centre and necessary components.
• Working alongside and supporting all RSG departments during Delivery stage to ensure targets are achieved, operational phasing is initiated when required and projects are delivered as designed.

Establishment of Dive Center: Post-Opening

• Manage standards of operations. Safety is paramount and always the priority.
• All activities conducted from the Dive Center are conducted in a professional manner.
• Ensure all daily diving activities are conducted in a safe and professional manner.
• Ensure all courses are taught in a safe and professional manner, always ensuring that instructors err on the side of caution and that instructors follow all standards set forth by the training agency they represent.
• Ensure up to date and accurate records are kept pertaining to all dive center activities.
• Plan, direct, analyze and coordinate all sales including the retail outlet.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with managers, co-workers, and the public.

Media Coverage

• As and when appropriate, assist the Destination Development department in obtaining media footage (photo and video).
• Assisting with media coverage is not the primary focus of this job, rather it is to be undertaken as and when the need arises as indicated by Galaxea Cluster Manager and/or upper management.

Policies, Systems, Processes, Procedures, Standards and Reports

• Adopt and follow all relevant functional policies, processes, standard operating procedures, and instructions to ensure the dive center operates in a controlled and consistent manner.
• Assist the Senior Dive Operations Manager in the preparation of accurate and timely functional MIS statements and reports to meet corporate and functional requirements, policies, and standards.

Safety, Quality & Environment

• Apply safety, quality and environmental management policies, procedures, and controls to ensure employee and public safety, legislative compliance, delivery of high-quality products/service and a responsible environmental attitude.

Continuous Improvement  

• Contribute to the identification of opportunities for continuous improvement of the dive center’s systems, processes and practices considering ‘international best practice’, improvement of business processes, cost reduction and productivity improvement.

Job Requirements

Qualification and Experience

• PADI Instructor
• Logged at least 500 dives
• Certified at least 50 students across all “core” courses
• Dive center management and/or resort management in various geographic locations
• Dive business and/or resort background
• Hospitality track record
• Diving health & safety experience
• Diving track record in various geographic locations
• Equipment management
• Dive retail
• Marine conservation
• Fit to Dive Medical
• Underwater photography/videography skills

Essential Skills

• Excellent standard of written and spoken English
• Excellent communicator and public talking
• Has an aptitude and aspiration for outstanding customer service with a ‘can-do’ attitude
• Flexible and open-minded approach to environment and tasks
• Ability to self-motivate and deliver to agreed deadlines
• A working knowledge of guiding dives, allowing for delivery of a “wow” experience
• A working knowledge of dive equipment to ensure correct maintenance is carried out by the dive center technician in accordance with manufacturer recommendations, local legislation and/or company policy
• Good time-keeping
• Highly detail-oriented
• Guest experience oriented
• Able to work with different cultures and nationalities
• Ability to handle high-end clientele
• Effectively manage guests’ requests and complaints
• Guarantee the maximum safety standard possible for guests and staff and regularly test these standards
• Be a perfect role model for other staff members
• Excellent leadership qualities
• Able to work in a dive resort environment and follow professional grooming standards
• Able to work both as part of a team and independently, and exercises sound judgment and discretion
• Always demonstrate the utmost confidentiality
• Proficient with Microsoft Office
• Has an interest in and an ability to build a solid understanding of marine science, research, conservation and education
• Ability to train staff in delivering a magical guest experience and deliver high-quality debriefs
• Able to coordinate dive center administration and planning

Desirable Skills

• Spoken language other than English (preferably Arabic)
• Social media posting skills
• Marine life identification abilities (fish, invertebrates, reptiles and mammals)
• Workshop technician for various equipment brands