Chief of Staff in Calabasas, California at AmaWaterways, LLC

COMPANY SUMMARY

At AmaWaterways, we believe meaningful careers begin with purpose, passion and a shared commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences. For those who value curiosity, connection and personal enrichment, AmaWaterways offers the opportunity to help craft meaningful river journeys that invite travelers to follow their own current. Built on a foundation of heartfelt hospitality, we treat our guests and each other with genuine care, warmth and respect. AmaWaterways fosters a collaborative environment both onboard our ships and across our global network of offices, where team members grow together, support one another and take pride in upholding the high standards and thoughtful service our company is known for. We invite talented, motivated professionals to explore our career opportunities and begin their journey with AmaWaterways today.

SUMMARY:

The Chief of Staff partners directly with the CEO to shape AmaWaterways’ strategic priorities and turn them into coordinated action and measurable results. Working closely with the Executive Leadership Team, this role connects strategy, growth and transformation, ensuring that the company’s most important initiatives move forward with clear ownership, sound analysis and disciplined follow-through.

As a trusted thought partner to the CEO, the Chief of Staff brings independent judgment, constructive challenge and practical problem solving to complex business issues. The role leads selected enterprise initiatives, strengthens executive decision-making and helps the organization deliver profitable growth while preserving the quality of the guest and team member experience.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategy, Growth & Value Creation

• Partner with the CEO, CFO and executive leaders to develop and refresh the multiyear strategy, align priorities with the Board-approved value creation plan and translate them into annual initiatives, milestones and financial outcomes.

• Assess guest demand, competitive positioning, source markets, distribution channels and destination opportunities to identify opportunities for profitable growth and emerging business risks.

• Develop business cases for selected investments, market expansion, new itineraries, partnerships and capabilities supporting fleet growth. Clearly articulate alternatives, economics, resource requirements and trade-offs.

Strategic Initiative & Transformation Leadership

• Personally lead selected CEO-sponsored initiatives from problem definition through implementation, establishing objectives, accountable owners, milestones, dependencies and measures of success.

• Support executive sponsors on other strategic priorities with analysis, practical problem solving and coordination across functions.

• Rapidly diagnose ambiguous or underperforming areas, develop fact-based recommendations and mobilize teams across commercial, ship and shoreside operations, finance, technology and people.

• Identify barriers and competing priorities early, coordinate solutions across functions and escalate decisions requiring CEO or executive leadership input.

Executive Operating Rhythm & Accountability

• Coordinate executive leadership meetings, strategy reviews and planning sessions around the priorities and decisions that matter most. Prepare focused agendas and pre-reads, document decisions and ensure follow-through.

• Establish a practical cadence with Finance and initiative owners to track milestones, realized financial benefits, risks and dependencies. Use strategic deep dives to resolve issues and inform decisions.

• Synthesize business performance with Finance and functional leaders to identify implications for strategic priorities, drawing on bookings, occupancy, yield, profitability and guest satisfaction.

• Improve decision rights, information flow and coordination across locations and time zones, helping teams simplify processes and build the capability to execute strategy independently.

CEO Partnership, Board & Executive Decision Support

• Anticipate emerging issues, test assumptions and help the CEO focus attention on the highest-priority strategic and business decisions.

• Partner with the CEO, CFO and executive leaders to frame strategic questions and prepare clear, decision-ready materials for Board discussions, alignment and approval.

• Prepare briefs and communications for the CEO’s key internal and external engagements.

• Represent the CEO in designated meetings and initiatives within agreed authority, exercising discretion and building trusted relationships with leaders and key stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 10 years of relevant experience in strategy, transformation, finance, commercial leadership or general management, with a track record of delivering complex initiatives and measurable business results.

• Strong strategic problem-solving skills, including the ability to break complex questions into manageable components, synthesize evidence and translate analysis into executable plans.

• Strategy consulting experience at the engagement leadership level or above is preferred, particularly when paired with implementation, transformation or operating experience.

• Experience in travel, hospitality, cruising or another international, service-oriented consumer business is strongly preferred.

• Strong commercial and financial judgment, including business case development, return on investment analysis and an understanding of revenue, margin and operating efficiency.

• Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders, build alignment across functions and cultures, and drive accountability without relying on formal authority.

• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills, with experience preparing executive and Board-level materials.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience; MBA or other relevant advanced degree preferred.

• Ability to travel internationally and work effectively across time zones.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This role leads assigned cross-functional initiatives within priorities and authority agreed with the CEO. Functional leaders retain responsibility for their teams, budgets and operating results. Direct reports, if any, will be determined based on business needs.

COMPETENCIES:

• Strategic Judgment: Identifies the most consequential priorities and balances growth, profitability, execution capacity and guest experience.
• Problem Solving & Execution: Brings structure to ambiguity, adapts as evidence changes and delivers results with limited direction.
• Collaboration & Partnership: Builds trust across functions, handles disagreement constructively and creates accountability through clear commitments and follow-through.
• Executive Presence & Communication: Communicates clearly, brings calm and credibility to complex discussions and works with confidence and humility.
• Discretion & Integrity: Handles sensitive information with care and exercises sound judgment on behalf of the CEO and the company.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS:

AmaWaterways is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application process and employment. Team members must be able to perform the essential functions of the role, with or without reasonable accommodation. Applicants who need an accommodation during the hiring process may contact the People Team. This job description outlines the general nature and scope of the role. Responsibilities may evolve as business needs change.