Director, Shipboard HR Operations

Carnival Cruise Line; Miami (FL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Benefits

401(k) plan with company match

Paid Time Off – holidays and vacation

On-site Fitness center

Job summary

Carnival Cruise Line is seeking a seasoned HR leader to oversee the on-board HR department, focusing on employee relations, performance management, and conflict resolution across the fleet. The role partners with shoreside VPs and shipboard senior leadership to deliver strategic HR guidance and policy execution.

The position requires 8–10 years of HR leadership experience, shipboard exposure is a plus, and travel up to 25–50% is possible.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8-10 years progressive experience in Human Resource Management.
• Extensive experience in employee relations investigations and resolving grievances and conflicts.
• Shipboard HR experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the functions and operations of the HR Dept onboard the vessels, ensuring delivery of HR services to 55,000+ shipboard employees.
• Serve as strategic partner shore side, advising employees and management on relations and organizational matters.
• Coordinate with shipboard leadership and shoreside leaders to ensure policy compliance and consistent outcomes fleet-wide.
• Develop HR policies and procedures, ensuring regulatory and MLC compliance.
• Review serious employee actions to minimize risk and support management decisions.

Skills

Employee relations

Performance management

Conflict resolution

Strategic HR partner

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree - Required

Master's Degree – Preferred

Job description

Oversee the functions and responsibilities of the on-board HR Department with emphasis on the day to day operational shipboard HR functions such as: employee relations, performance management and conflict resolution. Partner with Shoreside VP's and Shipboard Senior Leadership teams in relation to HR guidance for their specific areas shipboard. Provide support to the VP in the overall management and administration of the department.

Essential Functions:

• Oversee the functions and operations of the HR Dept onboard the vessels, ensuring effective and efficient delivery of HR Services to over 55,000 shipboard employees. Effectively plan, design, develop and evaluate human resource-related initiatives that support organizational strategic goals.
• Serve as strategic partner shore side providing professional advice and counsel to employees & management across the range of employee relations and organizational matters: including performance assessment and management, corrective actions, dispute resolutions and compensation.
• Work with the on-board leadership teams to drive positive employee relations by ensuring compliance with HR policies and procedures. Partner with Senior Officers and HR Directors to ensure the correct resolution and consistent outcome across the fleet.
• Responsible for the end-to-end development and design of HR Polices and HR Standard Operating Procedures for the fleet. Serves as a liaison between HR and Operations leaders for various projects that require implementation for our shipboard workforce ensuring regulatory, legal and MLC compliance.
• Review serious employee actions across the fleet to ensure they are in compliance with our culture and HR procedures to minimize risk to the company. Work in tandem with the management team to provide collaborative motivational and performance support.
• Identify, implement/coordinate programs or enhanced processes to encourage the maximum productivity of HR employees; function as counsel to individual employees and support to the department head.
• Provide open and honest feedback and take appropriate action to improve performance where necessary.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Scope: Provides strategic HR support and oversight for 55,000+ shipboard employees, ensuring effective delivery of HR programs, policies, and employee relations services across the fleet. Partners with shipboard and shoreside leaders to drive workforce and organizational initiatives.
• Problem-solving: Resolves complex employee relations, performance, and compliance matters by applying sound judgment and ensuring consistent outcomes aligned with company policy. Identifies risks and implements practical solutions that support both employees and business objectives.
• Impact: Drives fleet-wide HR initiatives, policies, and processes that strengthen compliance, support operational goals, and enhance the employee experience. Contributes to risk mitigation and organizational effectiveness through consistent HR practices and decision-making.
• Leadership: Acts as a trusted advisor to HR and operational leaders, providing guidance on employee relations, performance management, and workforce challenges. Influences outcomes through collaboration, coaching, and a commitment to consistency and accountability.

For all roles:

• Knowledge: Understanding of workplace policies and procedures / Familiarity with team collaboration tools and techniques.
• Skills: Strong time management and organizational skills
• Abilities: Ability to maintain reliable and consistent attendance / Capacity to be punctual and meet deadlines / Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and work as part of a team / Demonstrated professionalism in all interactions and tasks.

Essential/Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree - Required
• Master's Degree – Preferred

Essential experience required:

• Minimum 8-10 years of progressive experience in Human Resource Management
• Extensive experience in employee relations investigating and resolving grievances and conflicts in a diverse environment.
• Shipboard HR experience is a plus.

Travel: 25-50% with shipboard travel likely

Work Conditions: Work primarily in a climate-controlled environment with minimal safety/health hazard potential.

Physical Demands. Must be able to remain in a stationary position at a desk and/or computer for extended periods of time.

This position is classified as “in-office.” As an in-office role, it requires employees to work from a designated Carnival office in South Florida Monday through Thursday each week. Employees may work from their homes on Fridays. Candidates must be located in (or willing to relocate to) the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area.

Offers to selected candidates will be made on a fair and equitable basis, taking into account specific job-related skills and experience.

At Carnival, your total rewards package is much more than your base salary. All non-sales roles participate in an annual cash bonus program, while sales roles have an incentive plan. Director and above roles may also be eligible to participate in Carnival’s discretionary equity incentive plan. Plus, Carnival provides comprehensive and innovative benefits to meet your needs, including:

• Health Benefits:
  • Cost-effective medical, dental and vision plans
  • Employee Assistance Program and other mental health resources
  • Additional programs include company paid term life insurance and disability coverage
• Financial Benefits:
  • 401(k) plan that includes a company match
  • Employee Stock Purchase plan
• Paid Time Off:
  • Holidays – All full-time and part-time with benefits employees receive days off for 8 company-wide holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays to be taken at the employee’s discretion.
  • Vacation Time – All full-time employees at the manager and below level start with 14 days/year; director and above level start with 19 days/year. Part-time with benefits employees receive time off based on the number of hours they work, with a minimum of 84 hours/year. All employees gain additional vacation time with further tenure.
  • Sick Time – All full-time employees receive 80 hours of sick time each year. Part-time with benefits employees receive time off based on the number of hours they work, with a minimum of 60 hours each year.
• Other Benefits:
  • Complementary stand-by cruises, employee discounts on confirmed cruises, plus special rates for family and friends
  • Personal and professional learning and development resources including tuition reimbursement
  • On-site Fitness center at our Miami campus

About Us

At Carnival Cruise Line, our mission is to consistently deliver safe, fun, and memorable vacations at a great value. As the world’s most popular cruise line, we offer a variety of unique experiences across our fleet, ensuring that every voyage is filled with excitement and discovery. From world-class entertainment and dining to exploring stunning destinations, we create lasting memories for our guests while maintaining a dedication to the places we visit and the lives we touch.

Join us and embark on a career that offers not only the chance to grow professionally but also the opportunity to be part of a global community that makes a difference.

In addition to other duties/functions, this position requires full commitment and support for promoting ethical and compliant culture. More specifically, this position requires integrity, honesty, and respectful treatment of others, as well as a willingness to speak up when they see misconduct or have concerns.

Carnival Corporation & plc and Carnival Cruise Line is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. In this regard, it does not discriminate against any qualified individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, mental, physical or sensory disability, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, federal, and/or international law.

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