Director, Talent Selection & Onboarding

Cruise Yacht OpCo Ltd (Miami Branch); Fort Lauderdale (FL); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection seeks a strategic Talent Acquisition leader to own shipboard recruitment, onboarding, and mobilization across our global fleet. Design frameworks, manage budgets, and partner with schools and vendors to attract top talent aligned with our Gold Standards.

Lead a ten-person team, drive end-to-end processes, and ensure MLC 2006, STCW, and visa compliance while travel remains 25–50% of the time.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Hospitality, Business, or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years in talent acquisition, onboarding, or workforce mobilization.
• Experience in regulated, multinational, high-volume hiring (cruise/maritime/luxury hospitality).
• Knowledge of MLC 2006, STCW, and flag-state requirements for seafarer recruitment.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end shipboard talent acquisition strategy, systems, and execution.
• Own onboarding journey and compliance with training and licensing requirements.
• Manage mobilization, visas, travel logistics, and vendor relationships.

Skills

Talent acquisition

Team leadership

Onboarding

Regulatory compliance

Vendor management

Travel coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR, Hospitality, Business, or equivalent

Tools

ATS

HRIS

LMS

Onboarding platforms

RPS/licensing systems

Job description

Join the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection: Where Every Voyage is a Symphony of Luxury

Embark on an extraordinary journey with the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, an exquisite extension of the renowned Ritz-Carlton brand, dedicated to redefining ultra-luxury hospitality at sea. As a "Lady or Gentleman" of our esteemed team, you'll be entrusted with the art of delivering the impeccable "Gold Standards" that have made the Ritz-Carlton an epitome of excellence across the globe.

The Essence of Excellence: The Gold Standards

The Gold Standards are the bedrock of the Ritz-Carlton experience, setting us apart in the industry and establishing a legacy of unparalleled service. These standards embody the values and culture that define our brand, and serve as the compass guiding our every endeavor.

The Employee Promise At The Ritz-Carlton, our Ladies & Gentlemen are the most important resource in our service commitment to each other and our guests. By applying the principles of trust, honesty, respect, integrity, and commitment, we empower and nurture talent to the benefit of each individual and the company. The Ritz-Carlton fosters a culture where all are valued, quality of life is enhanced, individual aspirations are fulfilled, and The Ritz-Carlton Mystique is strengthened. Join us on a journey where every day is a testament to the highest standard of luxury and service.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• TALENT SELECTION AND SELECTION Lead end-to-end recruiting strategy, systems, and execution for all shipboard hiring, translating yacht itineraries, dry/wet-docks, attrition forecasts, and potential new-builds into actionable hiring plans with Shipboard HR and Ops. Steward an employer brand and candidate experience worthy of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection; design selection frameworks that predict performance and cultural alignment with our Gold Standards. Serve as primary liaison to hospitality and maritime schools, culinary institutes, and specialty training programs worldwide, building durable talent pipelines. Launch and manage a fleet-wide Referral Program that activates current Ladies and Gentlemen as brand ambassadors.
• ONBOARDING AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE Own the full onboarding journey - from offer acceptance through embarkation - for every new and returning Lady and Gentleman. Ensure 100% compliance with the Training Matrix and Competency and Wellness requirements, including seafarer employment documentation, medical fitness exams, STCW training, and function-specific certification, licensing, and visas. Maintain compliance with MLC 2006 (Regulation 1.4 on Recruitment and Placement), STCW, SOLAS, and Malta Flag Administration instruments; administer the fleet credentialing process so every Lady and Gentleman boards with current, valid documentation. Manage Recruitment and Placement Services (RPS) licensure across all sourcing jurisdictions, and steward audits, reporting, and relationships with each RPS partner.
• MOBILIZATION AND TRAVEL Lead travel logistics to deliver efficient, comfortable, cost-disciplined travel to and from assignments, training, and fleet meetings; establish global travel partnerships and manage TMC relationships. Own the mobilization process end-to-end: visa/training/fitness exam coordination, pre-departure communications/systems, ground transfers, and first-impression experience on arrival. Serve as primary 24/7 escalation point for employee-movement disruptions - port closures, flight cancellations, visa denials, and medical disembarkations - to protect operational readiness.
• LEADERSHIP, VENDORS, AND PERFORMANCE Lead and develop a team of ten: one Mobilization, Travel, & Onboarding Experience Manager; one Talent Discovery & Selection Manager; three Talent Discovery & Selection Coordinators; three Mobilization Specialists; and two Travel Coordinators. Own the operating budget for talent selection, onboarding, travel, medical, and training spend; manage third-party relationships across RPS partners, TMCs, medical providers, training schools, and visa agents. Serve as business owner for the ATS, onboarding/credentialing platforms, and travel systems, and their integrations with the HRIS, LMS, and Training Matrix. Hold direct accountability for Cost Per Hire (CPH) and employee NPS; report a broader scorecard including time-to-hire, 90-day retention, Training Matrix compliance %, travel cost per embarkation, and visa/medical rejection rates. Model the Gold Standards in every team strategy, decision, and external interaction.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Hospitality, Business, or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of progressive talent acquisition, onboarding, or workforce mobilization experience, with 5+ years leading teams.
• Experience in a regulated, multinational, high-volume hiring environment (cruise, maritime, aviation, luxury hospitality, or similar).
• Working knowledge of MLC 2006, STCW, and flag state regulatory requirements applicable to seafarer recruitment and placement.
• Proven accountability for operating budgets, vendor management, and multi-stakeholder program delivery; strong analytical orientation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication in English consistent with the RCYC voice; ability to travel internationally 25-50%.

PREFERRED

• Director-level experience in cruise, yachting, or luxury hospitality.
• Prior ownership of an RPS license relationship or equivalent regulatory placement framework.
• Exposure to The Ritz-Carlton Gold Standards or Marriott talent operating standards; proficiency in a second source-market language.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Primarily remote; periodic presence at the Fort Lauderdale, Malta, Monaco, and Sydney shoreside offices as well as direct-report visits in India, Philippines, and Indonesia. Global travel 25-50%, including to Evrima, Ilma, and Luminara in various ports, recruiting fairs, maritime/hospitality schools, and vendor sites. Availability across global time zones; on-call for operational continuity events; ability to embark and disembark yachts via gangway and move about shipboard environments safely. Valid passport and ability to obtain visas for countries in which we operate.

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is an Equal opportunity, inclusive employer and will consider all applicants for employment with the Company on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

About Us:

Working from our offices in Fort Lauderdale, FL and Valletta, Malta, our shoreside team includes a wide variety of positions to support The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection in delivering excellence. These roles include guest-facing Yacht Vacation Consultants, cruise hotel operations professionals, IT support, accounting and finance, sales and marketing professionals and more.