Director, Shipboard HR & Crew Management

Lindblad Expeditions • Seattle, WA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Lindblad Expeditions is a pioneer in Expedition Travel, leading nearly 30,000 guests a year to remote and pristine locations on a fleet of 20 ships. They are seeking an HR leader with shipboard operations experience and corporate HR leadership. The ideal candidate understands multinational crews, maritime employment practices, crew lifecycle management, and shipboard operations. This role requires a strategic thinker who can translate business priorities into HR solutions, leverage data for decision-making, identify cost optimization opportunities, and execute initiatives for measurable business results. The Director, Shipboard HR & Crew Management will collaborate with the Sr. Director of HR and SVP Operations and Planning to align shipboard HR strategy with organizational goals. This role serves as the HR leader for all shipboard personnel, partnering with shipboard and shoreside leadership to support crew career development, performance management, and employee relations. The Director will also oversee third-party crew management partners, ensuring KPIs are met and driving continuous improvement in recruitment, onboarding, scheduling, travel/logistics, and overall crew lifecycle management. Additionally, this role owns and manages shipboard crew expense budgets, including wages and travel, ensuring financial stewardship and alignment with operational needs. This position acts as a critical link between shoreside HR, onboard leadership teams, and external partners, ensuring alignment with company values, policies, and maritime labor standards while fostering a culture of engagement, accountability, and professional growth across the fleet.

Requirements

• 8+ years of progressive HR leadership experience within the cruise or maritime industry.
• Previous shipboard experience.
• Experience in a shoreside HR leadership role partnering with operational leaders.
• Experience managing complex employee relations, investigations, and performance management.
• Experience managing third-party partners.
• Experience with employee lifecycle planning in the maritime industry, including recruiting, onboarding, scheduling, travel, payroll, and crew lifecycle KPIs.
• Experience leading and executing cross functional projects across a diverse employee population.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and HRIS Systems
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to vessels.
• Using the English language, this person must have the ability to read, write, and comprehend policies, legal guidelines, correspondence, and memos.
• Must also possess the ability to effectively communicate--both in writing and orally--with a professional demeanor.

Nice To Haves

• Cruise line experience strongly preferred
• Luxury hospitality or expedition cruise experience preferred
• Experience supporting diverse, multinational workforces within shipboard operations.
• Experience with global crew logistics and maritime compliance

Responsibilities

• Serve as the HR partner to shipboard leadership, providing guidance on employee relations, performance management, conflict resolution, and disciplinary processes.
• Provide guidance on complex employee relations matters and ensure timely resolution of issues.
• Lead workplace investigations for shipboard personnel (e.g., harassment, discrimination, safety, policy violations), partner with General Counsel, ensure proper documentation and compliance, and respond to urgent employee relations issues as needed.
• Partner with shipboard and shoreside leadership, including the Sr. Director of HR, to support crew career development, succession planning, and leadership capability building, while designing, implementing, and continuously improving performance management programs for shipboard teams.
• Provide strategic oversight and management of third-party crew management partners, ensuring delivery against KPIs related to recruiting, onboarding, scheduling, travel/logistics, and crew experience, while building strong partnerships and driving continuous process improvements to enhance operational efficiency, compliance, and service quality.
• Own and manage shipboard crew expense budgets, including wages and travel, ensuring accurate forecasting, cost control, and alignment with financial targets.
• Partner with Finance and Operations to monitor budget performance, identify cost-innovation opportunities, and improve financial management across crew operations.
• Own and manage HR compliance requirements for U.S. crew, including background checks, employment eligibility verification, and termination validation, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards and company policies.
• Develop, implement, and maintain shipboard HR policies, ensuring they are current, consistently applied, and aligned with company standards, legal requirements, and maritime regulations.
• Participate in strategic HR planning including compensation design, technology selection, and organizational development.

Benefits

• Travel benefits for employees and their family
• Voyage of Discovery trips for employees to travel as guests
• Health insurance including Medical, Dental, Vision
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Long-Term Disability, Life & AD&D Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to be used for out-of-pocket medical and dependent care
• Pre-Tax Commuter Benefit
• 7-8 Paid Holidays
• 2-3 Floating Holiday Options (pro-rated per start date)
• Up to 15 days of vacation (pro-rated per anniversary year)
• Parental Leave
• Sick/personal days per city & state ordinance
• Pet Insurance discount

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed