Chief Steward

BC Ferries

$77K — $96K *
Hospitality & Recreation
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • University/College degree in Business, Human Resources, Hospitality, or a related field preferred
  • Food Safe Certificate required
  • Serving It Right Certificate required
  • Seafarers Medical Exam (must be willing to obtain)
  • 3-5 years of food service experience
  • Leadership experience of at least 2 years in a diverse team setting preferred
  • Experience in a unionized environment is a plus

Responsibilities

  • Lead safety initiatives for passengers and employees
  • Model exemplary customer service using effective problem-solving
  • Deploy crew efficiently across operational areas
  • Identify and implement strategies for service improvement
  • Manage budgets and labor expenses under Senior Chief Steward's guidance
  • Lead and mentor a diverse team, focusing on staff development
  • Encourage collaboration within various departments to strengthen operations

Benefits

  • Encouraged professional development
  • Opportunity to lead and innovate in a unique maritime environment
  • Work in a diverse and inclusive team
  • Engagement with cross-functional departments for collaborative success
  • Potential for personal growth in a leadership role
Full Job Description
Job Description

CHIEF STEWARD

Nanaimo

The Opportunity

As a Chief Steward, you will lead the passenger services and catering operations aboard one of our vessels. Combining the responsibilities of a Hotel Manager, Operations Manager, and Food and Beverage Manager, you will oversee customer service, retail operations, catering, employee leadership, and operational excellence. You will play a key role in creating an exceptional customer experience while fostering a safe, engaged, and high-performing team.

The Role

Reporting to the Senior Chief Steward, you will be responsible for the following:

  • Ensuring passenger and employee safety is at the forefront of our business by leading a safety focused team with process review, awareness, and implementation on new initiatives and directives
  • Modelling exemplary customer service to both internal and external customers by using timely and appropriate problem-solving techniques to address a variety of possible, and at times unexpected, issues
  • Deploying crew appropriately to meet operational, regulatory, and business requirements for the various areas including catering, retail, baggage handling, and janitorial
  • Identifying and implementing strategies to improve quality of service, productivity, and profitability
  • Managing labor and expenses within the budget under the direction of the Senior Chief Steward
  • Leading and managing a diverse team in all aspects of the business, with particular focus on developmental plans, mentoring staff, and guiding the performance management process as required
  • Strengthening the department by empowering all members to contribute idea of innovation and continuous improvement across environmental, employee engagement, and financial ideas
  • Working in a team environment by respectfully engaging with various departments and encouraging collaboration as required
  • Attending departmental and operational meetings as required

What you bring to the team

Educational Requirements

  • University/College degree in Business, Human Resources, Hospitality, or a related field is an asset
  • Food Safe Certificate
  • Serving It Right Certificate
  • Seafarers Medical Exam (must be willing to obtain upon offer of employment)

Work Experience Requirements

  • 3-5 years of food service experience
  • Strong background in customer service
  • Minimum two years of experience in a leadership role overseeing employee development within a diverse team is preferred
  • Experience managing employees, including performance management, coaching, career development, and succession planning
  • Demonstrated success in the food and beverage, hospitality, or another customer service-focused industry is strongly preferred
  • Experience leading teams in a unionized environment
  • Experience conducting performance reviews and providing ongoing coaching and mentoring that encourages employee development

Competency Requirements

  • Knowledge of labour cost control principles
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office applications, including Word and Excel
  • Proven ability to work collaboratively and cohesively as part of a team while coaching, training, counselling, and supporting employees
  • Highly responsible and reliable, with the demonstrated ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced environment and under pressure
  • Strong focus on guest/customer service, with the ability to remain calm, courteous, and professional at all times
  • Proficient in budgeting and forecasting
  • Strong business writing, presentation, and project management skills
  • Strong interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving abilities
  • Flexible and willing to work variable shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
  • Strong capacity to collaborate with cross-functional partners
  • Commitment to fostering a respectful, diverse, and inclusive workplace
  • Self-motivated and proactive in identifying and implementing improvements
  • Willingness to communicate new ideas, contribute to process improvements, and support organizational change
  • Maintains a high level of professionalism and leads by example in promoting a customer-centric culture

Join us!

If this sounds like your nextgreat careermove, pleasesubmityour cover letter and resume byAugust 19, 2026.

Additionalinformation

The target salary range:$77,300-$96,600per annum. The starting salary isdeterminedbased on the successful candidate27s knowledge,experienceand internal equity.

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