Director; Seagoing

Position: People Director (Seagoing)
The People Director is a key leadership role onboard, responsible for creating a positive, inclusive, and high-performing work environment. Acting as a strategic HR Business Partner, this role ensures alignment between organizational goals and crew performance by managing leadership and employee relations while fostering a culture of trust, respect, and accountability.

With exceptional emotional intelligence, the People Director understands, manages, and navigates interpersonal dynamics to build trust, encourage collaboration, and effectively resolve conflicts. Their professional judgment enables sound decision-making, even in complex or ambiguous situations, ensuring HR strategies align with business objectives and ethical standards.

The People Director plays a critical role in shaping the shipboard culture, driving employee engagement, and ensuring a workplace where crew members feel valued, supported, and empowered to perform at their best. This role is an exciting opportunity for an HR leader who thrives in dynamic, fast-paced environments and is passionate about people, leadership, and organizational success.

• Serve as a trusted advisor and coach to shipboard leaders, providing guidance on team management, performance improvement, and conflict resolution.

• Proactively identify and address people-related challenges to drive business success and enhance crew engagement.

• Partner with department heads to align HR strategies with operational goals, fostering a culture of accountability, performance, and excellence.

• Act as the primary point of contact for employee relations matters, including grievances, performance concerns, disputes, and workplace investigations.

• Conduct thorough investigations and produce comprehensive reports with clear, professional recommendations.

• Provide expert, evidence-based guidance to Heads of Department and the Captain during disciplinary and Master's hearings, ensuring fairness, consistency, and compliance with policies and procedures.

• Oversee the implementation and enforcement of HR policies, ensuring adherence to company standards and maritime labor regulations (MLC).

• Monitor compliance with internal and external employment laws, fostering a workplace that upholds legal and ethical HR practices.

• Supervise the onboard Training & Development Manager, ensuring effective delivery of leadership, compliance, and crew training programs.

• Oversee compliance with mandatory training requirements, ensuring all crew members are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge.

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Education & Experience:

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, with at least 5 years of senior HR leadership experience.

• Industry

Experience:

Prior HR leadership experience in the cruise or maritime industry or as an HR Business Partner in a complex, global environment.

• Employee Relations Expertise:
Proven ability to manage complex employee relations matters with discretion, professionalism, and a focus on maintaining a positive workplace culture.

• HR Knowledge & Compliance:
Strong understanding of HR best practices, maritime labor laws, and compliance standards. Ability to develop policies that meet business needs while ensuring full legal compliance.

• Leadership & Team Development:
Experience mentoring and developing HR teams, with a collaborative approach to working with senior leaders to drive HR initiatives.

• Problem-Solving & Decision-Making:
Ability to navigate organizational challenges and implement proactive, solution-oriented HR strategies.

• Communication & Negotiation

Skills:

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels. Strong negotiation skills to balance organizational and employee interests.

• Cultural Competence:
Experience working in diverse, multicultural environments, with a demonstrated ability to foster inclusion, respect, and equity.

• Preferred: HR Certification (e.g., SHRM, CIPD)

• Emotional Intelligence - Ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics with empathy, self-awareness, and professionalism.

• Strategic Thinking & Problem-Solving -…