Director, Shipboard HR & Crew Management

About the role

The Director, Shipboard HR & Crew Management will collaborate with the Sr. Director of HR and SVP Operations and Planning to align shipboard HR strategy with organizational goals. This role serves as the HR leader for all shipboard personnel, partnering closely with shipboard and shoreside leadership to support crew career development, performance management, and employee relations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the HR partner to shipboard leadership, providing guidance on employee relations, performance management, conflict resolution, and disciplinary processes.
• Provide guidance on complex employee relations matters and ensure timely resolution of issues.
• Partner with General Counsel to conduct workplace investigations for shipboard personnel (e.g., harassment, discrimination, safety, policy violations).
• Respond to urgent employee relations issues as needed.
• Partner with shipboard and shoreside leadership, including the Sr. Director of HR, to support crew career development, succession planning, and leadership capability building, while designing, implementing, and continuously improving performance management programs for shipboard teams.
• Provide strategic oversight and management of third-party crew management partners, ensuring delivery against KPIs related to recruiting, onboarding, scheduling, travel/logistics, and crew experience, while building strong partnerships and driving continuous process improvements to enhance operational efficiency, compliance, and service quality.
• Own and manage shipboard crew expense budgets, including wages and travel, ensuring accurate forecasting, cost control, and alignment with financial targets.
• Partner with Finance and Operations to monitor budget performance, identify cost-innovation opportunities, and improve financial management across crew operations.
• Own and manage HR compliance requirements for U.S. crew, including background checks, employment eligibility verification, and termination validation, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards and company policies.
• Develop, implement, and maintain shipboard HR policies, ensuring they are current, consistently applied, and aligned with company standards, legal requirements, and maritime regulations.
• Participate in strategic HR planning including compensation design, technology selection, and organizational development.

Requirements

• 8+ years of progressive HR leadership experience within the cruise or maritime industry.
• Previous shipboard experience.
• Experience in a shoreside HR leadership role partnering with operational leaders.
• Experience managing complex employee relations, investigations, and performance management.
• Experience managing third-party partners.
• Experience with employee lifecycle planning in the maritime industry, including recruiting, onboarding, scheduling, travel, payroll, and crew lifecycle KPIs.
• Experience leading and executing cross-functional projects across a diverse employee population.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong project management skills, including change management.
• High emotional intelligence and cultural awareness.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and HRIS Systems.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to vessels.