Executive Director - European Maritime Safety Agency (AD14, Lisbon)

About this position

The summary below is published by European Maritime Safety Agency on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

• Achieve the Agency's objectives and multi-annual strategy
• Develop and maintain effective cooperation with European Commission services, Member States, third countries and stakeholders
• Cooperate with Member States' authorities responsible for EU maritime transport policy implementation
• Cooperate with Executive Directors of other agencies (Frontex and EFCA) in coast guard cooperation framework
• Respond to requests for assistance from European Commission or Member States
• Develop the Agency's profile including international activities and cooperation with industry and civil society
• Prepare multi-annual single programming document, annual work programme and pollution preparedness plans
• Prepare European Maritime Safety Report (EMSAFE) and European Maritime Transport Environmental Report (EMTER)

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

• Education: University degree or diploma: either a level of education corresponding to completed university studies attested by a diploma when the normal period of university education is 4 years or more, or a level of education corresponding to completed university studies attested by a diploma and appropriate professional experience of at least 1 year when the normal period of university education is at le…
• Experience: At least 15 years' postgraduate professional experience at a level to which the qualifications give admission
• Key skills: Excellent capacity for managing a decentralised agency at strategic and internal management level, Ability to meet challenges of a body interacting with multiple stakeholders, Knowledge and experience in management of significant financial resources including budgetary planning and internal control, Proven track record of managing large teams at high management level with ability to lead, motivate and develop multinational and multidisciplinary teams, Good understanding of European Union Institutions and how they operate and interact, Knowledge of European maritime policy and legislation, Capacity to develop strategic vision for maritime transport sector including safety, security, digitalisation and environmental sustainability, Ability to communicate effectively and fluently in transparent and open manner with internal and external stakeholders, Proven ability to maintain effective working relations with EU institutions, Member States' competent authorities and other stakeholders, Solid experience of negotiating in international environment
• Eligibility: Candidates must be a citizen of one of the Member States of the European Union

Selection process

The notice describes the following selection steps:

• Formal eligibility requirements verification

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: Temporary Agent – Grade AD 14.

Hiring unit: European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).

Position details

Reference

COM/2026/20124

Vacancy Notice

Download PDF

Last Verified

27 August 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Executive Director at EMSA based in Lisbon at the AD14 grade level (Temporary Agent). The vacancy reference is COM/2026/20124. The role falls under the Fisheries And Maritime Affairs domain.

European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA)

Publication of a vacancy for the function of Executive Director

(Temporary Agent – Grade AD 14)

COM/2026/20124

(C/2026/4370)

We are

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) was established in 2002. Its mandate (Regulation (EC)No 1406/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council(1)) was updated over the years, with a significant broadening of the scope in 2013 (Regulation (EU)No 100/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council(2)) and further actualisation in 2025 through Regulation (EU)2025/2434 of the European Parliament and of the Council(3), as part of the Maritime Safety Package. EMSA provides technical, operational and scientific assistance to the European Commission and the Member States in the fields of maritime safety, maritime security, environmental sustainability of the maritime sector, prevention of, and response to pollution caused by ships as well as response to marine pollution caused by oil and gas installations.

EMSA carries out a comprehensive programme of visits and inspections to support the effective and harmonised implementation of Union maritime legislation. This includes regular visits to Member States’ maritime administrations to assess their capacity to implement and enforce EU requirements, identify areas for improvement and promote best practices. The Agency also hosts a wide range of IT applications and databases that support these objectives.

The Agency conducts inspections of recognised organisations (classification societies) to verify that they comply with the applicable EU standards when acting on behalf of Member States, thereby contributing to the safety and reliability of the EU fleet. In addition, EMSA evaluates third countries’ systems for the training and certification of seafarers, in accordance with the requirements of the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention. These assessments ensure that certificates issued by third countries and recognised within the Union meet international and EU standards, thereby safeguarding the competence of seafarers serving on board EU ships.

Complementing these audit activities, EMSA plays an important role in capacity-building and knowledge-sharing. Through the EMSA Academy, the Agency provides a wide range of training, workshops and technical assistance to Member States, EU neighbouring countries and other partners. These activities support the consistent application of EU and international rules, strengthen administrative capacity and promote a common understanding of emerging regulatory and technical developments.

EMSA provides key technical assistance for the continuous development of Union legislation and the joint action of the Commission and the Member States at the International Maritime Organization (IMO). EMSA contributes to ensuring a level playing field, enhancing maritime safety, and supporting the consistent and effective enforcement of EU and international maritime rules across the Union and beyond.

A key area under continuous development – and one of increasing strategic importance – is EMSA maritime monitoring, digital and information services. This includes the development and operation of large-scale systems and platforms supporting maritime surveillance, safety, environmental compliance and simplified reporting formalities (such as European Maritime Single Window environment (EMSWe) and related systems). The Agency also contributes to European cooperation on coast guard functions, working closely with other EU agencies in the framework of the Tripartite Working Arrangement.

Following the adoption of the updated EMSA Founding Regulation (Regulation (EU)2025/2434), the area of mandated action for the Agency expanded. This results in a change in priorities and tasks, as for example in the area of alternative fuels or in the requirement to establish a 24/7 monitoring centre. In turn, this requires the Agency to accommodate these new tasks in an efficient and non-disruptive manner.

EMSA is based in Lisbon, Portugal. For 2027, the Agency has a total budget of EUR 119 million and close to 300 staff. The budget of the Agency is due to increase in light of the new attributions of the Agency as per Regulation (EU)2025/2434.

For further information please consult the following website: http://www.emsa.europa.eu.

We propose

The function of the Executive Director of the Agency.

The Executive Director is the legal representative of the Agency and is accountable to the Management Board.

The Executive Director will lead and manage the Agency and take overall responsibility for its operations ensuring the achievement of the Agency’s objectives.

The Executive Director’s specific responsibilities will include:

—Achieving the Agency’s objectives and the multi-annual strategy established by the Management Board of the Agency,

—Developing and maintaining effective and efficient cooperation with the relevant European Commission services, Member States, third countries and stakeholders, as appropriate, in accordance with the Agency’s tasks,

—Cooperating with the Member States’ authorities responsible for the implementation of the EU maritime transport policy,

—Cooperating with the Executive Directors of other agencies (the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) and European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA)) in the framework of coast guard cooperation, in particular under the Tripartite Working Arrangement,

—Responding to requests for assistance from the European Commission or from the Member States in accordance with the Agency’s tasks,

—Developing the Agency’s profile, including its international activities and, where appropriate, cooperation with industry and civil society,

—Preparing the multi-annual single programming document, annual work programme and the detailed plans for the Agency’s pollution preparedness and response activities and taking the necessary steps for their implementation, in cooperation with the European Commission,

—Preparing regularly the European Maritime Safety Report (EMSAFE) and European Maritime Transport Environmental Report (EMTER) and presenting them to the European Parliament,

—Preparing and executing the Agency’s budget in cooperation with the European Commission,

—Preparing the annual report on the Agency’s activities,

—Carrying out the day-to-day management of the Agency. Recruiting and evaluating the Agency’s staff, in compliance with the EU Staff Regulations, while fostering a good team spirit and positive working environment,

—Preparing and implementing HR strategies, in order to maintain and increase the Agency’s attractiveness as an employer,

—Develop and implement a communication policy for the Agency to effectively promote its work and engage in communication activities on all matters falling within the Agency’s competence.

We look for (selection criteria)

The candidates should have:

Management skills

—Excellent capacity for managing a decentralised agency, both at strategic and at internal management level,

—The ability to meet the challenges faced by a body interacting with multiple stakeholders,

—Knowledge, experience as well as a track record in the management of significant financial resources in a national, European and/or international environment, including budgetary planning and internal control,

—A proven track record of managing large teams at a high management level, including the ability to lead, motivate and develop the potential of a team with multinational and multidisciplinary backgrounds; experience gained in a multicultural environment is an advantage.

Specialist skills and experience

—A good understanding of the European Union Institutions and how they operate and interact,

—Knowledge of European maritime policy in particular maritime transport policy, and legislation,

—Proven experience in transport and maritime policies; experience acquired in a national, European or international public administration is an advantage,

—Capacity to develop a strategic vision for the maritime transport sector and the Agency, including safety, security, digitalisation and environmental sustainability of maritime transport.

Personal qualities

—Ability to communicate effectively and fluently in a transparent and open manner with internal and external stakeholders, including press, the public, European, national, and international authorities, international organisations, as well as to represent the Agency in external fora,

—Proven ability to maintain effective working relations with EU institutions, with Member States’ competent authorities and other stakeholders,

—Solid experience of negotiating in an international environment.

Applicants must (eligibility requirements)

Candidates will only be considered for the selection phase on the basis of the following formal requirements to be fulfilled by the deadline for applications:

—Nationality: candidates must be a citizen of one of the Member States of the European Union(4).

—University degree or diploma: candidates must have: —either a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma when the normal period of university education is 4 years or more, —or a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma and appropriate professional experience of at least 1 year when the normal period of university education is at least 3 years (this one year’s professional experience cannot be included in the postgraduate professional experience required below).

Only diplomas that have been awarded in EU Member States or that are the subject of equivalence certificates issued by the authorities of one of these Member States may be taken into consideration.

—Professional experience: candidates must have at least 15 years’ postgraduate professional experience(5) at a level to which the qualifications referred to above give admission.

Salary at this grade

Basic monthly salary at AD14 runs from €18,695 (step 1) to €21,152 (top step), giving an annual range of roughly €224,340 to €253,824 before tax and allowances. Steps increase automatically every two years; the figures here are taken from the salary grid in the EU Staff Regulations.

Eligible staff posted away from their country of nationality also receive an expatriation allowance worth 16% of basic salary (around €2,991 per month at step 1 of AD14) together with household, dependent-child, and education allowances where applicable. Take-home pay is then adjusted by the country correction coefficient for Lisbon. For a worked example see our correction coefficients guide and the EU salaries overview.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 19 August 2026, 9 days ago.

The application deadline is 29 September 2026, 31 days from today. Late applications are not accepted, so submit through the official EU Careers portal well in advance.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 27 August 2026.

Where to learn more

For full responsibilities, requirements, and career progression at AD14 see our AD14 grade page; for headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at EMSA see the EMSA institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in Lisbon see our Lisbon location page; for related vacancies in the Fisheries And Maritime Affairs field browse our Fisheries And Maritime Affairs domain page.

New to EU careers? Our beginner's guide walks through entry routes, EPSO competitions, and what to prepare. For application logistics see application tips and EPSO competitions.