Global Training, Development & Retention Specialist

aquaexpeditionshr; España; On-site; EUR 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Independent contractor agreement

Job summary

Aqua Expeditions is seeking a Training & Development professional to implement a global training strategy across operations, translating our People & Culture standards into practical learning actions. You will work closely with frontline staff and leaders to identify development needs, deliver hands-on training, and strengthen leadership capabilities.

Responsibilities include diagnosing capability gaps, designing and delivering programs aligned with Aqua service standards, onboarding and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's/degree in hospitality, business, or related field is required
• Experience delivering training in luxury/travel industries is preferred
• Ability to assess capability gaps and design practical learning programs
• Strong communication skills and ability to work with global teams across time zones

Responsibilities

• Execute Aqua Expeditions’ global training & development strategy across operations
• Diagnose capability gaps through observation, interviews, and direct engagement with staff
• Design, adapt and deliver practical training programs aligned with service standards
• Provide hands-on onboarding, induction, cross-training, and continuous learning initiatives
• Coach crew members and leaders to improve performance, feedback, and team development
• Build development plans identifying stretch assignments and internal mobility opportunities

Skills

Training & Development

Coaching

Leadership development

Learning delivery

Education

University degree in Hospitality Management

Job description

At Aqua Expeditions, we are passionate about providing exceptional levels of service to our guests. We take pride in pampering our guests and ensuring that their time with us creates a trip of a lifetime. The Aqua experience is carefully curated by a team of talented individuals — from onboard crew to reservations staff — who work behind the scenes to guarantee smooth sailing. We are always on the lookout for new team players who share our passion and expertise, to ensure a world-class travel experience.

OUR VISION:

To create and deliver unique and authentic once-in-a-lifetime experiences so that our guests can have enriching memories to cherish for a lifetime.

OUR MISSION:

Aqua Expeditions offers customized luxury travel experiences aboard vessels of elegant, contemporary design, centered around immersive culture and wildlife excursions unique to each location, award-winning cuisine by renowned chefs, personalized guest service, and a commitment to community, sustainability and preservation.

4 CORE VALUES:

• A: We value AUTHENTICITY, believing in the unique talents of each individual and the importance of integrity.
• Q: We aim for QUALITY, emphasizing a service-oriented approach and shared knowledge.
• U: We believe in UNITY, and prioritize effective teamwork.
• A: We hold deep ADMIRATION and respect for our environment, collaborating closely with local communities to foster responsible practices that protect and conserve nature.

Sounds great – what’s the role in a nutshell?

Execute Aqua Expeditions’ Global Training & Development strategy directly across operations, translating People & Culture standards into practical learning, capability-building and career development actions. The role works closely with frontline employees and operational leaders to identify development needs, deliver hands‑on learning, strengthen leadership capabilities and build sustainable internal talent pipelines.

• Diagnose operational capability gaps through observation, interviews, performanceinformationand direct engagement with employees and leaders.
• Design, adapt and deliver practical trainingprogrammersaligned with Aqua service standards, SOPs, expectedbehaviorsand business priorities.
• Provide hands‑on,on‑the‑joband onboard training across Aqua Expeditions operations, ensuring learning is relevant to the local operating context.
• Lead and support onboarding, operational induction, cross‑training, refreshertrainingand continuous learning initiatives.
• Coach crew members,supervisorsand operational leaders to strengthen performance, feedback, teamleadershipand people-development capabilities.
• Build structured development plans foridentifiedemployees, connecting training, coaching, stretch assignments, cross‑exposureand internal mobility.
• Identify high‑potential employees and employees ready for broader responsibilities in partnership with operational leaders and Global People & Culture.
• Support succession planning bymaintainingvisibility of internal talent, development progress,readinessand capability gaps across operations.
• Develop and support internal trainers and subject‑matter experts to expand local training capability and ensure sustainable transfer of knowledge.
• Support the implementation and continuous development of Aqua Lab and other practical learning platforms and initiatives.
• Follow up after training and development actions to verifybehavioralapplication, operationalimprovementand progress against agreedobjectives.
• Maintainaccuraterecords, evidence and dashboards covering training delivered, participation, development plans, talentobservationsand outcomes.
• Provide structured field feedback and recommendations to Global People & Culture and operational leadership.
• Coordinate external training providers whenrequired, ensuring quality, relevance, costdisciplineand alignment with Aqua standards.
• Perform other Training & Development responsibilities consistent with the role, without evolving into general People & Culture administration.

Key Deliverables and Measures of Success

• Annual Training & Development plan aligned with operational priorities and regional needs.
• Measurable improvement in operational competencies and consistent execution of Aqua standards.
• Effective onboarding, cross‑trainingand leadership‑development interventions.
• Active development plans foridentifiedtalent, with clear actions, owners,timingand follow‑up.
• Stronger readiness of frontline supervisors and operational leaders for expanded responsibilities.
• Increased internal mobility, cross‑exposureand succession coverage for priority roles.
• Reliable visibility of capability gaps, talentreadinessand development progress across operations.
• Training effectivenessdemonstratedthrough observablebehaviorand performance improvement, not only attendance records.

What are we looking for?

• University degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Human Resources,Psychology,OrganizationalDevelopment,Educationora relatedfield.
• 3-5 years of relevant professional experience in Training, Learning & Development, Talent Development, operationalcoachingora relatedfield.
• Experience in luxury hospitality, cruise,travelor premium service operations is strongly preferred.
• Ability to work remotely, while maintaining excellent communication and alignment with global teams across different time zones.
• Fluency in both English and Spanish is a plus, proficiency in French is appreciated.
• This role is offered under an Independent Contractor Agreement.