BASEL OFFICE - Senior Planning Manager

<p>Viking (NYSE: VIK) is a global leader in experiential travel with a fleet of more than 100 ships, exploring 21 rivers, five oceans and all seven continents. Designed for curious travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers experiences For The Thinking Person™. Viking has more than 450 awards to its name, including being rated #1 for Rivers and #1 for Oceans five years in a row by Condé Nast Traveler in the 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. Viking is also rated a “World’s Best” by Travel + Leisure—no other travel company has simultaneously received such honors by both publications.  </p><p>Please note that we can only accept applicants who are eligible to work in Switzerland or in possession of a valid work permit.</p><p><strong>ROLE DESCRIPTION </strong></p><p>•    The Senior Scheduler is responsible for the strategic coordination, governance, and optimization of scheduling and planning activities across the organization. The role is positioned within Nautical Operations and provides end-to-end ownership of fleet planning frameworks, ensuring stable, compliant, and cost-efficient coverage across short-, mid-, and long-term horizons. <br>•    In addition to hands-on planning accountability, the role provides leadership, oversight, and guidance to ensure schedules are robust, compliant, and aligned with operational realities, fleet requirements, and strategic objectives. The Senior Scheduler acts as the central point of ownership when planning risks, constraints, or conflicts arise.</p><p><strong>KEY RESPONSIBILITIES</strong></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Strategic Scheduling & Oversight</span><br>•    Own and oversee short-, mid-, and long-term scheduling and manning frameworks across operations<br>•    Ensure alignment between operational plans, fleet capacity, training requirements, and strategic priorities<br>•    Define and maintain planning principles, standards, escalation rules, and governance structures<br>•    Review, challenge, and validate schedules for robustness, risk exposure, compliance, and efficiency<br>•    Own the annual manning and capacity planning cycle, including scenario planning and forward risk assessment</p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Leadership & stakeholder management</span><br>•    Act as the senior point of contact for scheduling and planning matters between Nautical Operations, Nautical Management, HR, and Recruiting<br>•    Advise senior management on capacity constraints, operational risks, and planning trade-offs<br>•    Lead, support, and mentor schedulers and planners, setting clear standards and expectations<br>•    Facilitate alignment workshops and cross-functional planning discussions<br>•    Ensure consistent communication cadence, transparency, and clarity in planning decisions<br>•    Partner closely with Corporate Captains, Nautical Instructors, HR, and Recruiting to align staffing, training schedules, and talent development with fleet requirements.</p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Risk, Compliance & Governance</span><br>•    Ensure full compliance with labor laws, working-time regulations, licensing requirements, and internal policies<br>•    Oversee fatigue management, rest-hour compliance, training validity, and exception handling<br>•    Define and manage escalation paths for critical planning conflicts or compliance risks<br>•    Ensure planning decisions support safe operations, regulatory adherence, and the guest experience</p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Data, Systems & Optimization</span><br>•    Own planning and scheduling data quality, structure, and governance<br>•    Drive continuous improvement of planning tools, processes, and systems<br>•    Analyze trends in utilization, staffing stability, disruptions, and performance indicators<br>•    Support business cases related to capacity planning, efficiency gains, and resourcing strategies</p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Required Skills & Competencies</span><br>•    Advanced planning and scheduling expertise in complex operational environments<br>•    Strong analytical, conceptual, and problem-solving skills<br>•    Ability to balance operational realities with strategic and long-term objectives<br>•    Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills<br>•    Leadership capability with a coaching and mentoring mindset<br>•    High resilience, sound judgment, and decision-making ability under pressure</p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Measurable Goals</span><br>•    Stable, transparent, and trusted planning frameworks across the organization<br>•    Reduced operational disruptions through proactive and forward-looking planning<br>•    Clear ownership, escalation paths, and governance in scheduling decisions<br>•    Improved utilization, compliance, and stakeholder confidence<br>•    A strong, capable scheduling function with clear standards, structure, and direction</p><p><strong>KEY QUALIFICATIONS</strong><br>•    Several years of experience in senior scheduling, planning, or operational leadership roles<br>•    Advanced planning and scheduling expertise in complex operational environments<br>•    Experience in regulated, safety-critical, or resource-intensive industries preferred<br>•    Proven exposure to labor regulations, working-time rules, licensing frameworks, or collective agreements<br>•    Strong analytical, conceptual, and problem-solving skills<br>•    Ability to balance operational realities with strategic and long-term objectives<br>•    Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills<br>•    Leadership capability with a coaching and mentoring mindset<br>•    High resilience, sound judgment, and decision-making ability under pressure</p><p><strong>EDUCATION</strong><br>•    Higher education in operations, logistics, engineering, business administration, or a similar field preferred</p><p><strong>COMMUNITY & CULTURE</strong><br>•    Fast-growing and dynamic environment, a modern workspace, flexible working hours</p><p><strong>HOW TO APPLY</strong><br>Please apply via our website <a href="https://www.vikingcareers.com">www.vikingcareers.com</a>, including your CV in English and a one-page cover letter to introduce yourself and your interest for the role. <br>For more details about this position, contact us under +41 61 638 60 11<br>*Unsolicited submissions of candidates from agencies will not be considered*</p>