INDIA - General Manager

Viking (NYSE: VIK) was founded in 1997 and provides destination-focused journeys on rivers, oceans and lakes around the world. 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, #1 for Oceans and #1 for Expeditions by Condé Nast Traveler in the 2023 and 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards. Viking is also rated a “World’s Best” for rivers, oceans and expeditions by Travel + Leisure. No other travel company has simultaneously received the same honors by both publications.

The Managing Director India will lead the establishment and ongoing operations of Viking River Cruises’ new office in Guwahati. The branch office will support the business in this new operating region for Viking, with two new river vessels operating on the Brahmaputra River by 2028 and the first inaugural vessel operating in fall 2027.

The Managing Director will be responsible for establishing and setting up the new office, and overseeing the successful launch of the new vessels. Following launch, the Managing Director India will be fully accountable for overseeing the performance and management of the branch office and of the river vessels operating in the region.

The position oversees all operational, financial, legal, and human resources activities for both the office and the ships operating in India, including team management, budgeting, compliance, supplier relations, and business strategy implementation. It also involves representing the company in institutional settings, coordinating with partners and external auditors, and supporting negotiations and staff development.

The role will be based in Guwahati, India and requires limited travelling mostly in the region to visit the vessels, suppliers, partners, and operational sites across India. Occasionally, travelling to the Basel Head Office is required for alignment, reporting, and strategic coordination.

The position is part of the Viking River Cruises Corporate Operations team and reports directly to the SVP Passenger Operations River, based in Basel, Switzerland.

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Operational Procedures:
  Support the Corporate Operation Manager in defining standards for vessel operations, guest services, and safety protocols to ensure consistent performance across all ships and offices.
• Financial Management:
  Define budgeting processes, expense approval protocols, and reporting requirements to guarantee financial discipline and transparency in line with Corporate Guidelines.
• Compliance and Legal:
  Communicate regulatory and legal obligations, including local laws, maritime regulations, and company policies, ensuring full adherence by all staff and partners.
• Human Resources:
  Outline recruitment, onboarding, staff development, and performance evaluation practices to foster a productive and compliant workforce.
• Supplier and Partner Relations / Supply chain:
  Specify guidelines for selecting, negotiating, and managing relationships with suppliers, hotels and other partners important to operations.
• Stakeholder Engagement:
  Define protocols for regular meetings, decision-making processes, and strategic planning with internal and external stakeholders.

The Managing Director guarantees communication among the different stakeholders and is responsible for the effective integration across all business areas to guarantee operational excellence.

As the position is expected to lead two closely interconnected phases with slightly different responsibilities, here is an overview of what each of the phases entails.

Pre-opening phase )

• Ensure the organization is fully prepared for launch by setting up robust systems and processes to meet all regulatory requirements, implementing comprehensive safety and security measures, and defining clear financial procedures such as budgeting, expense approvals, and reporting in line with corporate guidelines.
• Lead the end to end project plan for the India launch and opening of the branch office, including…