SENIOR DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES

Lindblad Expeditions is a true pioneer in Expedition Travel. From taking the first citizen explorers to Antarctica in 1966, opening the Galapagos and Easter Island to tourism in 1967, leading the first tourist expedition through the Northwest Passage in 1984, and launching our innovative partnership with National Geographic in 2004, we're now taking almost 30,000 guests a year to some of the world’s most remote and pristine locations on our fleet of 20 ships, and are committed to ensuring our guests experience the “Exhilaration of Discovery.”

About the role

The Senior Director of Human Resources serves as the company's senior HR leader and strategic business partner to the Executive Leadership Team. Reporting to the SVP of Operations & Planning, this role is responsible for aligning people strategy with business objectives while leading all aspects of the HR function across Lindblad Expeditions' shoreside and shipboard operations. The ideal candidate combines strategic thinking with a hands-on leadership style and thrives in an environment focused on building the foundational people processes and infrastructure needed to support scalable growth, while coaching and developing leaders to build high-performing teams and a strong organizational culture.

Responsibilities

• Serve as strategic advisor to the Executive Leadership Team (ELT); align people strategy to business objectives; drive organizational design and workforce planning; challenge and influence leaders
• Provide executive coaching, lead succession planning, talent reviews, leadership development, and performance management
• Lead enterprise change initiatives, communications, adoption, and organizational effectiveness
• Oversee employee relations, partner with Legal, coach leaders, and mitigate employment risk
• Manage HR operations including compensation, benefits, talent acquisition, compliance, HRIS, policies, SOX, and maritime compliance
• Lead crew wage and expense budgets, workforce planning, organizational cost optimization, and KPI reporting
• Own the compensation and bonus structure strategy for all employees, balancing pay competitiveness, internal equity, and alignment with business performance
• Design and optimize employee benefit programs, balancing cost management with competitive offerings that support recruiting, retention, and engagement
• Develop and foster continued collaborative work with all land-based companies

Requirements

• BA/BS degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field
• 15+ years of progressive HR leadership experience
• Executive business partner experience with ELT
• Experience in organizational design and change management
• Proven track record in executive coaching and leadership development
• Experience in employee relations and investigations
• Budgeting and workforce planning expertise
• Experience leading high-performing HR teams
• Approximately 10% periodic travel required

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting hospitality, travel, cruise, leisure, or other service-intensive organizations
• Experience working within both entrepreneurial and larger, more complex organizations
• Experience supporting rapid organizational growth or business transformation
• Demonstrated career progression with increasing scope and executive responsibility
• Experience partnering directly with CEOs, Presidents, or Executive Leadership Teams
• Experience supporting multi-location and/or geographically dispersed workforces
• Maritime or cruise industry experience

Schedule

This position follows a hybrid work model with 3 days per week in office at the listed location and 2 days per week working remotely.

Benefits

• Travel benefits for employees and their family
• Voyage of Discovery trips for employees to travel as guests
• Health insurance including Medical, Dental, Vision
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Long-Term Disability, Life & AD&D Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for out-of-pocket medical and dependent care
• Pre-Tax Commuter Benefit
• 7-8 Paid Holidays
• 1 Floating Holiday
• Up to 15 days of vacation (pro-rated per anniversary year)
• Parental Leave
• Sick/personal days per city & state ordinance
• Pet Insurance discount
• Bonus eligibility: 20%
• Equity: 15%

Skills

• Ability to read, write, and comprehend policies, legal guidelines, correspondence, and memos in English
• Effective communication skills, both written and oral, with a professional demeanor

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, and hear. The employee will also be required to write and type. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.