Director of People & Culture (Shipboard)

Four Seasons Hotels Ltd; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Director of People & Culture for their luxury shipboard operations. This pivotal role involves being the main contact for crew, addressing all people-related matters, and ensuring a high standard of professionalism. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in luxury hospitality, particularly at sea, and will be responsible for fostering a positive culture onboard. With a focus on training, performance management, and crew engagement, this position offers a unique opportunity to shape the employee experience in an extraordinary setting. Join a team committed to excellence and create lasting impressions for both guests and crew.

Benefits

Competitive Salary

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Excellent Training Opportunities

Complimentary Dry Cleaning for Uniforms

Complimentary Employee Meals

Qualifications

• 10+ years in luxury hotels or cruise lines, with 5+ years in leadership roles.
• Fluent in English with strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all people-related issues for shipboard crew, ensuring compliance with policies.
• Implement and manage crew training and performance systems.

Skills

Leadership

Communication Skills

Hospitality Management

Cultural Awareness

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality Management

Master's Degree (preferred)

Tools

Performance Management Systems

Learning Management Systems

Job description

Director of People & Culture (Shipboard)

Director of People & Culture (Shipboard)

Apply time type Full time posted on Posted 2 Days Ago time left to apply End Date: May 30, 2025 (30+ days left to apply) job requisition id REQ10345559

About Four Seasons:

Four Seasons is powered by our people. We are a collective of individuals who crave to become better, to push ourselves to new heights and to treat each other as we wish to be treated in return. Our team members around the world create amazing experiences for our guests, residents, and partners through a commitment to luxury with genuine heart. We know that the best way to enable our people to deliver these exceptional guest experiences is through a world-class employee experience and company culture.

At Four Seasons, we believe in recognizing a familiar face, welcoming a new one and treating everyone we meet the way we would want to be treated ourselves. Whether you work with us, stay with us, live with us or discover with us, we believe our purpose is to create impressions that will stay with you for a lifetime. It comes from our belief that life is richer when we truly connect to the people and the world around us.

About the location:

Four Seasons Yacht I

With elegant lines and sweeping ocean views, our spectacular yacht is home to 95 expansive suites and guest rooms, alongside a world-class choice of dining, wellness, and entertainment. It delivers numerous industry firsts to the yacht category — including the largest accommodations in the class, virtually endless ways to connect and configure suites, and Four Seasons unparalleled hospitality extended across the world’s oceans for the very first time.

679 ft in length // 34,000 Gross Tonnage // 95 Suites // 1:1 Guest/Staff Ratio

Each of the yacht’s 95 suites will offer panoramic views through floor-to-ceiling windows and access to expansive private terraces.

About the role:

The primary role of the Shipboard Director of People & Culture is to be the main “People Contact” for all shipboard Crew, as a trusted advisor. All People-related issues come under the oversight of the Director of People & Culture including counseling, investigations, performance improvement, training, coaching, policy adherence, while upholding the highest standards of professionalism, confidentiality and unconscious biases. The Director of People & Culture must balance the needs and interests of all Crew while supporting and enforcing FSY standards, policies and procedures. This position will be a Planning Committee role.

What you will do:

• Responsible for complying with/performing Safety/Environmental/Emergency Response duties as assigned.
• Reads and acknowledges documents as assigned in FSY Management System.
• Consistently maintain STCW and/or any other required certifications as described in the training matrix.
• Primary responsibility for implementation and oversight of People procedures including MLC and STCW.
• Responsible for ensuring all Crew have received required environmental familiarization and training.
• Confirms that Crew are fully qualified for their positions including certifications, training, language skills, medical qualifications and experience.
• Manages onboard performance and learning management systems.
• Supports and guides all Department / Division Heads in all People matters.

Confirms that new personnel and personnel transferred to new assignments related to safety and protection of the environment are given proper familiarization with their duties. Ensures all members of their team are aware of their responsibilities related to SMS.

The Shipboard Director of People & Culture will be the Four Seasons Culture Carrier onboard the vessel, always following the Golden Rule, and operating with integrity and professionalism. This position, in conjunction with the L&D Manager and Crew Purser, will also be responsible for ensuring a sound and robust Crew Engagement program onboard.

What you bring:

Minimum of 10 years of related experience in luxury hotels and/or onboard cruise line. Minimum 5 years of increasing responsibility, ideally as a Director or similar experience providing a broad range of strategic thought leadership and People & Culture support to various levels of employees including senior leadership. Must have previous luxury experience at sea.

• Familiar with principles of hospitality management and all departments’ specifics.
• Fluent in written and spoken English and in additional language(s).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, capable of effective interaction with guests, crew and external contacts.
• Easily navigates between the development long-term strategy and short-term tactical needs required to deliver business and people goals.

What we offer:

• Competitive Salary, wages, and a comprehensive benefits package
• Excellent Training and Development opportunities
• Complimentary Dry Cleaning for Employee Uniforms while onboard
• Complimentary Employee Meals while onboard

Schedule & Hours:

• 3 month on/3 off contracts, paid annually