Director, Shipboard HR & Crew Management

Director, Shipboard HR & Crew Management

Seattle, WA

Human Resources - HR /

full-time /

Hybrid

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WHO WE ARE

Lindblad Expeditions is a true pioneer in Expedition Travel. From taking the first citizen explorers to Antarctica in 1966, opening the Galapagos and Easter Island to tourism in 1967, leading the first tourist expedition through the Northwest Passage in 1984, and launching our innovative partnership with National Geographic in 2004, we're now taking almost 30,000 guests a year to some of the world's most remote and pristine locations on our fleet of 20 ships, and are committed to ensuring our guests experience the "Exhilaration of Discovery".

We're seeking an HR leader who has successfully transitioned from shipboard operations into a strategic shoreside HR leadership role. The ideal candidate brings firsthand shipboard experience, combined with corporate HR leadership, and possesses a deep understanding of multinational crews, maritime employment practices, crew lifecycle management, and shipboard operations. This individual has a proven track record of leading HR initiatives that strengthen organizational effectiveness, develop high-performing teams, and enhance the employee experience. They are a strategic thinker who can translate business priorities into practical HR solutions, leverage data and operational insights to drive informed decision-making, identify opportunities for cost optimization and process innovation, and execute initiatives that deliver measurable business results.

JOB SUMMARY

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 closely with shipboard and shoreside leadership to support crew career development, performance management, and employee relations.

In addition, the Director provides oversight of third-party crew management partners supporting the U.S. and Bluewater fleet, ensuring key performance indicators (KPIs) are met and driving continuous improvement in recruitment, onboarding, scheduling, travel/logistics, and overall crew lifecycle management. The Director also owns and manages shipboard crew expense budgets, including wages and travel, ensuring financial stewardship and alignment with operational needs.

This role 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.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

To perform this job successfully, the incumbent must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Additional duties may be added or assigned as needed.

• 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.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 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.

Preferred Experience

• 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

Other Skills/Abilities

• Strong leadership, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong project management skills, including change management.
• High emotional intelligence and cultural awareness.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and HRIS Systems
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to vessels.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT:

This job description is intended only to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an employee in this position. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills or abilities required or persons so classified or assigned.

$135,000 - $145,000 a year

Bonus: 15%

Equity: 5%

OUR 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

Communication Skills

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.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear. The employee will also be required to write and type. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.

COMPENSATION STATEMENT

Lindblad Expeditions determines the pay for positions using local, national, and industry-specific survey data. We evaluate external equity and the cost of labor/prevailing wage index in the relative marketplace for jobs directly comparable to jobs within our company. Our posted salary range is based on national data and may be refined for a candidate's region/town/cost of living.

For new hires, we strive to make competitive offers allowing the new employee room for future growth. Salaries will be based on the applicant's location, level of experience, education, and specialized knowledge and skills. An employee/candidate with a stronger skill set will receive higher pay.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT

At Lindblad Expeditions, we simply could not do our work without the diverse kaleidoscope of humanity that creates and delivers our remarkable offerings across the planet. As a Company that respects and celebrates the inherent diversity in the places we explore, we recognize the need to mirror that same diversity and all the interconnected perspectives within our organization. We are committed to building a community of different genders, races, ages, sexual orientations, chosen identities, and countries of origin where every person brings their whole self to work and whose skills, talents, and abilities are valued. We believe we can explore further and in a more meaningful way by actively creating a more diverse and inclusive organization where everyone feels they belong.

Lindblad Expeditions is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals seeking employment at Lindblad Expeditions are considered without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetics, marital status, pregnancy, unemployment status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or veteran status.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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