Cruise Director

Disney; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Disney Cruise Line seeks an experienced Cruise Director to lead daily onboard operations for entertainment products and services. You will manage content delivery, collaborate with departments, and develop a premier entertainment operations team while upholding Disney values and safety standards.

Responsibilities include directing all guest events, optimizing show quality, and liaising with ship-wide departments to ensure a consistent guest experience across itineraries.

Qualifications

• Eight or more years of experience in hosting, stage experience, and public speaking.
• Eight+ years in a senior leadership role.
• Experience as Cruise Director or similar ship operations role.
• Understanding crew/entertainer challenges in operations.
• Leadership experience including coaching and mentoring.
• Experience integrating entertainment with multiple lines of business.
• Solid knowledge of entertainment operations procedures.
• Passion for Disney character and show integrity.
• Ability to engage guests enthusiastically and energetically.
• Relates well to audiences of all ages and demographics.
• Self-motivated with ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong administrative skills.
• Demonstrated negotiation, delegation and partnering skills.
• Problem-solving and continuous improvement mindset.
• Proven ability to organize, prioritize and complete tasks on time.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with partners to define a clear onboard entertainment vision.
• Translate vision into strategic operating plans focused on innovation.
• Direct all guest events and onboard entertainment.
• Ensure daily schedule of events onboard and ashore stays on track.
• Evaluate show quality and brand integrity; recommend future plans.
• Communicate safety and guest information ship-wide.
• Oversee delivery of guest service and measure guest satisfaction.
• Develop a world-class onboard entertainment operations team.
• Lead leadership development and succession planning.
• Hold effective department meetings and liaise with departments.
• Support safety initiatives across entertainment lines of business.
• Oversee financials, revenue generation, and cost containment.
• Coordinate with Executive Director on cross-ship consistency.
• Partner with shore side entertainment leadership on development.
• Analyze itineraries and implement successful entertainment delivery.
• Assist HR with personnel files and reviews; coordinate with Marketing.
• Perform extensive administrative duties.

Job description

About the position

As a Cruise Director at Disney Cruise Line, you will lead the daily onboard operations and execution of entertainment products and services. This role involves overseeing all entertainment content, ensuring a consistent delivery of experiences, and enhancing guest and crew satisfaction. You will collaborate with various departments, manage financial operations, and develop a world‑class entertainment operations team while upholding Disney’s values and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with internal and external partners to define a clear vision for onboard entertainment.
• Translate and integrate the vision into strategic operating plans focused on innovation and continuous process improvements.
• Drive enhanced guest and crew experiences considering the competitive environment.
• Direct all guest events and onboard entertainment.
• Ensure daily schedule of events onboard and ashore proceeds as scheduled, making necessary adjustments.
• Evaluate show quality and brand integrity, providing recommendations for future planning.
• Serve as the executive communicator for safety and guest information with ship-wide announcements.
• Oversee execution and daily delivery of guest service, focusing on guest satisfaction measurement.
• Develop a world‑class onboard entertainment operations team.
• Maintain an integrated focus on leadership development and succession planning.
• Lead effective and decision-oriented department meetings.
• Liaise with all departments effectively and professionally.
• Support and champion safety initiatives across all entertainment lines of business.
• Oversee and manage financial profit and operating expenses, including revenue generation and cost containment.
• Communicate with Executive Director‑Entertainment Operations regarding consistency of operations between ships.
• Partner with shore side entertainment/port adventures operations leadership regarding onboard leadership development.
• Provide support for new itineraries by analyzing previous practices and executing strategies for successful delivery of entertainment offerings.
• Partner with Human Resources on managing personnel files and conducting performance reviews.
• Partner with Marketing/Promotions to plan special events.
• Perform extensive administrative duties.

Requirements

• Minimum eight or more years of experience in hosting, stage experience, and public speaking skills.
• Minimum of eight years of experience in a senior leadership role.
• Previous ship operations experience as a Cruise Director or similar role.
• Operational experience with an understanding of crew/entertainer challenges.
• Leadership experience including coaching and mentoring skills.
• Experience integrating the entertainment experience with multiple lines of business.
• Solid knowledge of entertainment operations business procedures.
• Passion for character and show integrity that supports the Disney Brand.
• Ability to initiate guest contact with enthusiasm and energy.
• Relate well to audiences of all ages and demographics.
• Highly motivated self‑starter able to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong administrative skills required.
• Demonstrated strong verbal, written, presentation, and public speaking skills.
• Demonstrated strong negotiation, delegation, and partnering skills.
• Demonstrated problem‑solving and continuous improvement skills.
• Proven ability to organize, prioritize, and complete multiple tasks in a timely manner.