Managing Director, France, and Route Director, Dieppe-Newhaven

Do you want to be a valued part of the critical infrastructure that serves communities across Europe and beyond Are you looking for a position in which you can set direction and help shape our company If so then you could be the newest addition to our team as Managing Director for France.

Be part of the movement - and play your part.

About the role

The role is overall responsible for the profit and loss of the Dieppe-Newhaven route as well as the administrative and representative responsibilities of the DFDS organization in France. The Dieppe-Newhaven route has an annual revenue of approx. 50m and is operated under a concession agreement with SMPAT (Syndicat Mixte de Promotion de lActivité Transmanche). There are approximately 1300 France-based employees in DFDS including approximately 800 seafarers.

* Route management

The first main element of the role is the management of the Dieppe-Newhaven route. Responsibilities incl. freight sales passenger sales onboard services operations in both ports etc. Some of the functions are globally organized with a dotted line to the role but all key decisions remain with the Route Director. The role is expected to further grow the business in terms of top line and offerings as well as optimizing earnings. The tasks include but are not limited to:

• Ensure top line growth and optimize earnings for the route
• Identifying new customers for the route
• Handle and maintain relations with existing customers
• Collaborate with DFDS Logistics to drive growth across DFDS
• Facilitate and execute rate negotiations with key customers and suppliers
• Ensure high NPS on the route above group targets
• Explore possibilities for digital solutions to improve customer service and cost efficiency
• Manage run and facilitate multiple projects and initiatives simultaneously and on an ad hoc basis
• Create business cases to grow the business in line with our strategy
• Develop and protect the companys profile and image
• Manage the organization in Dieppe with approx. 80 FTEs
• Collaborate with DFDS central functions

* DFDS France management

The second main task of the role is the general management and representation of DFDS in France as the Managing Director of the DFDS French legal entity. DFDS has a large footprint in France and many political interests which must be protected and cultivated. This must be coordinated and aligned with the wider DFDS organization and in particular with the Eastern Channel addition the role is responsible for the French customs organization and its P&L. The tasks include but are not limited to:

• Lobby French administrative and political institutions for key DFDS interests like anti-social dumping electrification of the Channel etc.
• Maintain good and productive relationship with SMPAT
• Protect DFDSs interests in Saint-Malo e.g. by developing strong relationships with the port as well as local institutions and representatives
• Represent DFDS in Armateurs de France and other similar industry associations
• Support DFDS in negotiations and interactions with the French unions in Dieppe and Calais in coordination with the Eastern Channel organization
• Lead and be a role-model for all the DFDS France-based employees
• Manage the French Customs organization and its P&L comprising approximately 40 employees

* Leadership in DFDS

DFDS is proud of its focus on engaged leaders. To that end it is important that the role leads in a modern respectful and motivating way. This means among other things that the Managing Director must:

• Ensure that diversity and inclusion is incorporated across the teams

• Create and align clear expectations with your direct reports and the wider team in line with company objectives
• Develop a feedback and coaching culture including challenging superiors and peers on other BU Channel locations
• Exchange best practice with peers / Route Directors in the DFDS organization and implement learnings effectively
• Facilitate development of the individual employee and the teams through coaching
• Ensure optimal conditions to further development of the team spirit in France and inside DFDS in general
• Identify and develop talent in the DFDS organization
• Constantly improve MyVoice scores
• Foster a collaborative culture with other routes and business units as well as with global functional teams

* Extending the concession with SMPAT

The Dieppe route is a concession route under SMPAT. DFDS won a five-year extension of the concession from January 1 2023. Its crucial that DFDS is well positioned to win the next tender in 2028 and if possible expand the length of the extension beyond five years. The role is expected to discuss and align with SMPAT the option of a significantly longer extension which would give DFDS the possibility to be involved in building the future tonnage. As part of this task DFDS zero emission ambitions should be considered.

Practicalities

The role is a key role in DFDS and part of the BU Channel Leadership team. The role reports to the Route Director of the Dover routes and must coordinate the above tasks and responsibilities with the Eastern Channel organization.

The role is based in Dieppe but frequent travelling must be expected in France as well as occasional travels to DFDS HQ in Copenhagen.

Join the movement and grow with us.

Be a valued member of a diverse team at DFDS and help drive change together.

While youre with us we want you to develop. At DFDS we believe that development happens first and foremost through activities in the workplace. We will also offer training courses that can support you in your role if needed.

Are we a match Then what are you waiting for Apply Now.

If you think your personality skills experience and desire match this role wed love to hear from you. Please send us your CV as soon as possible as were keen to meet potential candidates on an ongoing basis.

We look forward to hearing from you.