Chief Purser

Summary:

The Purser is responsible for the overall onboard administration, accounting, cash handling, HR duties, ship clearances and HR compliance.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Work according to the 6 key principles: show well, the right delights, service wow, sails are up, destination engagement and magical moments.
• Responsible for contributing to the company’s Key Performance Indicators including Guest Satisfaction, Crew Satisfaction, Revenue
• Generation, Cost Control, Safety, Compliance and Brand Integrity.  
• Crew Movement – all areas including rotation management, Contracts of Employment checking, personnel records, arranging flights and transfers, recording mandatory training records and certificates. Visa applications when required for disembarkation.
• Ensure all crew are welcomed on board on embarkation day in a warm and friendly manner and that all Windstar Polices and Procedures are distributed and explained. 
• Respond to crew concerns; follow up with Human Resources.
• Communication with Yacht’s Port Agents to ensure all pre-arrival documentation sent in a timely manner
• Responsible for yacht clearance both inwards and outwards, liaise with Port Authorities and Agents
• Safe keeping of guest passports and crew documents
• Responsible for contents of the Yacht’s safe; balancing of Euro and USD cashbooks
• Voyage accounting, including settlement of all onboard accounts
• Printing and distribution of preliminary and final guest invoices
• Credit card authorizations; follow up of declined cards; credit card settlement at end of voyage
• Dealing with guest accounting issues including complaints and ensuring a fast and friendly resolution. 
• Crew payroll administration including cash draws and Hotel Service Charge
• Crew Welfare account management and reconciliation
• Processing of SeaPay applications for all new hire crew and following up on Sea Pay Card issues with the Vendor. 
• Ensuring an adequate supply of cash is maintained onboard
• Assist in administration of Spa and Casino concessions, including revenue reporting, payment of gratuities
• Overseeing daily Casino cash drops from tables and slot machines
• Maintenance of Reception cash floats
• Sending of yacht’s mail
• Loading of guest manifest and account credits into Fidelio system
• Loading all crew information into Adonis that is missed by the Manning Agents including photos, visas, passports, and Seaman’s Books. 
• Working with the Seattle Office to ensure Adonis is updated and accurate at all times. 
• Attend COB, Hotel Department and Crew Welfare meetings
• Cash payments for crew bills from non-Windstar employees, ie. Concessionaires, cadets, musicians
• PASIS – completion on a daily basis
• Reporting Local purchase expenditure – ensuring relevant Purchase orders are raised from departments
• Collection of crew timesheets – electronic copies made and stored (at present)
• Participating in guest events that promote officer engagement as directed by the Hotel Manager (Yacht Club Party, Captain’s Welcome etc.) 
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Previous experience working for an international Cruise line as a Chief Purser; including cash handling, payroll, ship clearance procedures, international port knowledge and ship certification requirements. 
• A positive attitude reflecting the spirit of hospitality and an understanding of guest service. 
• Strong knowledge of MLC 2006 rules and regulations.
• Strategic planner with sound judgment and excellent organizational skills
• Extensive Excel skills. 
• Experienced with Fidelio and Adonis a plus. 
• Strong time management and prioritization skills
• Fluent in spoken and written English; excellent communication skills, knowledge of languages such as Spanish, French or Italian in addition to English is an advantage. 
• Ability to interact and maintain effective relationships with all guests on board.
• Ability to understand that onboard crew are your customer and must be treated as such. 
• Ability to execute operational directives in a swift and often demanding environment. 
• Adaptable to new challenges and unexpected situations on a daily basis
• Stamina to work long hours often including early mornings and evenings
• Sense of urgency, often working to deadlines
• Possessing a willingness to listen to personal issues and demonstrate empathy.
• Ability to work in a communal office environment
• Must be resourceful and able to work alone
• Must be able to protect confidential information and not share any private information regarding guests or crew to anyone outside of the Senior Staff Officers and the Seattle Office Senior Management Team.  
• STCW 4 Part Basic Training
• STCW CPSC

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Travel to the yachts and extended stay up to 4 months on board is required. Regularly required to sit and stand.  Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job includes close vision.  Some stress may occur, especially during traveling periods and during periods of daily activities.