Reporting to the Executive Vice President, the Vice President & General Manager (VP&GM) of Victoria Shipyards is the top executive responsible for the Shipyard’s overall strategic, operational, and financial success. This role manages a large, multidisciplinary team involved in complex ship repair, manufacturing, maintenance, modernization, and conversion projects for both government and commercial clients. The VP&GM ensures that Victoria Shipyards delivers safe, high-quality, on-time, and within-budget results while fostering a culture of operational excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.
The position is responsible for long-term business growth, customer satisfaction, workforce development, and alignment with Seaspan Shipyards’ strategic priorities. As a key member of the Seaspan Shipyards senior leadership team, the VP & GM works closely with peers across Vancouver Shipyards, Vancouver Drydock, and corporate functions to enhance enterprise-wide performance and uphold Seaspan’s values and reputation as a trusted partner in Canada’s maritime industry.
Note: Due to business needs, this position must be fully on-site at 825 Admirals Road, Victoria.
What you'll do
- Strategic Leadership and Business Management : Develop and implement the long-term strategic plan for Victoria Shipyards, ensuring it aligns with Seaspan’s enterprise strategy, customer needs, and market opportunities. Oversee annual business planning, capital planning, and performance management processes.
- Operational Excellence : Oversee all shipyard operations, including production, project management, engineering, supply chain, quality, and facilities. Ensure all programs run safely, efficiently, and reliably, with a focus on schedule adherence, cost control, and technical excellence.
- Safety, Health, and Environmental Stewardship : Promote a proactive safety culture and ensure adherence to Seaspan’s safety management systems, regulatory requirements, and environmental standards.
- Financial Accountability : Manage the shipyard’s P&L, including revenue, margins, capital expenditures, and operating budgets. Promote cost savings, productivity gains, and strict financial controls.
- Customer and Stakeholder Engagement : Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers and stakeholders, including the Royal Canadian Navy, Department of National Defence, Public Service and Procurement Canada, other government partners, commercial clients, and local First Nations. Represent Victoria Shipyards at industry forums, community events, and regulatory meetings.
- Workforce Leadership and Development : Lead a diverse workforce of unionized trades, technical professionals, and management staff. Foster a culture of respect, inclusion, collaboration, and ongoing learning. Support talent growth, succession planning, and labor relations.
- Program Delivery and Risk Management : Provide executive oversight of major ship repair and modernization programs, ensuring effective risk identification, mitigation, and escalation. Support contract negotiations, change management, and claims resolution.
- Enterprise Collaboration : Collaborate closely with Seaspan’s senior leadership team to share best practices, align processes, and support enterprise initiatives in digital transformation, sustainability, supply chain resilience, and operational integration.
What you'll bring
You have a degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience. A master’s degree is considered an asset.
- Over 15 years of leadership in shipbuilding, repair, heavy manufacturing, defence, marine operations, or related industries.
- Demonstrated success in overseeing large-scale operations with significant workforce, safety, and financial responsibilities.
- Experience with government, defense, or regulated industries is highly preferred.
- Experience managing unionized environments and working with labor partners.
- Strong financial expertise in P&L management, capital planning, and cost control.
- Extensive experience in leading initiatives for organizational change, ongoing improvement, and operational transformation.
- Extensive understanding of project management methods, risk mitigation, and contract handling.
- Proficient in operational planning, resource management, and performance assessment.
Excellent skills in communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management.
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Why you’ll love working here
- This is a full-time permanent position reporting directly to the Executive Vice President.
- In addition to an annual bonus and pension plan, this role provides you with a very competitive salary in line with your strong, proven years of experience.
- We also provide the best-in-class health and wellness benefits package for this position, including things such as extended health care (e.g., paramedical services for massage therapy, speech therapy, mental health coverage, physiotherapy, and more), dental care, vision care, life insurance, medical leave coverage, parental leave coverage, childcare benefit partnership, a $500 personal spending account and an Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP).
And you’ll join an amazing Team, supporting each other’s success.
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The estimated salary for this position is $300,000 - $360,000. In determining the final salary, Seaspan considers many factors, including the successful Candidate’s skill set and experience, position location, and internal equity. The final base salary offer will be at the Company’s sole discretion and presented as part of a competitive total compensation package.
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Seaspan Shipyards is one of North America’s most modern shipyards and unique in its ability to provide a complete range of services including new construction, conversion, refit, repair and life-cycle maintenance work for Canada’s Coast Guard and Navy as well as commercial vessels including cruise-ships and deep-sea vessels. Seaspan Shipyards operations include Vancouver Shipyards, Vancouver Drydock and Victoria Shipyards.
To learn more, visit our website: www.seaspan.com
This position may involve defense articles and/or technical data regulated by the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and the U.S. Arms Export Control Act. In compliance with ITAR, the successful candidate will be subject to a security clearance through the Canadian Controlled Goods Program as regulated by the Controlled Goods Regulations and Defense Production Act. The successful candidate will be required to maintain their security clearance throughout their employment in this position.
Seaspan is committed to Employment Equity, supports diversity in the workplace, and encourages applications from all qualified individuals including, women, members of visible minorities, Indigenous persons, and persons with disabilities. If you require any accommodations at any stage of the recruitment process, please reach out to our Talent Acquisition team at [email protected] for confidential support. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible environment.
