
HR Director
- Recruiter:
- Royal Caribbean Group
- Category:
- Other Cruise Jobs
- Position:
- Human Resources & Recruitment
- Updated:
- October 29, 2026
**THIS POSITION IS ONBOARD**
The Human Resources Director is a strategic HR professional and a member of the Executive Committee who partners with the leadership team to develop and implement HR strategies and programs aligned with departmental objectives and leadership values. The role serves as a strategic advisor to the shipboard leadership team by providing direction and guidance on all employee-related matters and requires extensive expertise across all areas of Human Resources, including recruitment, employee wellbeing, employee relations, performance management, organizational development, learning and development, compensation, benefits, and HR systems. The Human Resources Director leads and manages the ship’s HR department and also serves as the Compliance and Ethics Officer, reporting directly to the Captain in that capacity while maintaining a close working and reporting relationship with the Captain on all other crew-related matters. This position description does not limit the duties that may be assigned, and the employee may be required to perform other job-related responsibilities as directed by management. All duties and responsibilities must be carried out in accordance with the Company’s Safety, Quality, and Environmental standards.
Key Responsibilities:
- Drives overall ship performance by measuring and actioning results against KPI targets, providing assessments and recommendations to the Executive Committee, supporting performance initiatives aligned with revenue goals, and leading the execution of the HR strategic plan.
- Partners with Department and Division Heads to ensure crew members understand role expectations, company culture, values, and performance standards, while providing education and guidance on HR policies, procedures, performance management, progressive discipline, and promotion processes to ensure consistent and fair application across all departments.
- Leads talent and succession management initiatives, including career coaching, employee development, talent assessment, succession planning, internal promotions, leadership development, and cultural effectiveness programs, while developing direct reports and high-potential HR team members for future growth and advancement.
- Oversees all HR operations and crew administration, including sign-on and sign-off processes, crew immigration and customs requirements, HR Center operations, turnover management, and unplanned crew movements, ensuring compliance and operational efficiency.
- Manages HR and Crew Welfare resources and budgets by monitoring and controlling crew-related expenses, including CAM, crew welfare budgets, and crew activity funds, while identifying and recommending cost-saving opportunities when necessary.
- Promotes employee engagement, wellbeing, and high performance by partnering with onboard leadership to enhance crew satisfaction and morale, supporting learning and development initiatives, implementing recognition programs, providing open and honest performance feedback, taking appropriate action to improve performance, and fostering a culture of trust, mutual respect, encouragement, and accountability.
Qualifications and Education:
- Bachelor’s degree (or international equivalent) from an accredited university or college in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology or related field is required or 10 years senior management experience in human resources.
- Minimum 5 years progressive experience in Human Resource Management.
- Minimum of 3 years in employee relations investigating, negotiating and resolving grievances and conflicts, preferably in a multi-cultural, diverse environment.
- Strong analytical and written communication skills.
- Communicates tactfully, effectively and confidently with crew members, guests, and department/division heads, both one on one and in larger group settings.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office – Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
- Fluent in English, both written and verbal.
- Ability to speak additional languages such as Spanish, French or German preferred.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
While performing the duties of this job, the At-Sea employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; and taste or smell. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. All shipboard employees must be physically able to participate in emergency lifesaving procedures and drills. Full use and range of arms and legs as well as full visual, verbal and hearing abilities are required to receive and give instructions in the event of an emergency including the lowering of lifeboats. The employee must have the ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Extensive travel from ship to ship with varying accommodations and resting opportunities require good health. Active management of health through diet and exercise is a key for prolonged success in the position.
Work Experience Requirements
All applicants must have previous experience in working on a Cruise Ship and in a 4/5* Hotel or Upscale Restaurant.
Royal Caribbean Group
careers.royalcaribbeangroup.com
Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) is a cruise vacation company comprised of three award-winning global brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises. Royal Caribbean Group is also a 50% owner of a joint venture that includes TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Together, our brands operate a global fleet of 60 ships traveling to more than 800 destinations worldwide.
We’re proud of the way our team members from different cultural backgrounds, ages, races, religions, education levels, sexual orientation, genders, and disabilities come together to create the incredible vacation experiences we’re known for. We believe that the diversity of our employees plays a major role in our success.
We are proud of our entrepreneurial spirit, the force that drives us to innovate. It’s that state of mind that helps us see opportunity where others see only risk.
Come join our RCG family and journey with us!
