Director, Shipboard HR & Crew Management

Lindblad Expeditions

Director of Shipboard HR at Lindblad Expeditions overseeing crew management and HR strategy alignment. Collaborating with leadership to support crew development and performance management.

Posted 5/12/2026full-timeSeattle • Washington • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $135,000 - $145,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Collaborate with the Sr. Director of HR and SVP Operations and Planning to align shipboard HR strategy with organizational goals.
Serve 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.
Provide 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.
Own and manage shipboard crew expense budgets, including wages and travel, ensuring financial stewardship and alignment with operational needs.
Act 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.
Serve as the HR partner to shipboard leadership, providing guidance on employee relations, performance management, conflict resolution, and disciplinary processes.
Lead workplace investigations for shipboard personnel and ensure proper documentation and compliance.
Partner with shipboard and shoreside leadership to support crew career development, succession planning, and design, implement, and continuously improve 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.
Own and manage HR compliance requirements for U.S. crew including background checks, employment eligibility verification, and termination validation.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Minimum 8 years of progressive maritime HR or crew management experience.
Experience in employee relations, performance management, and workplace investigations.
Experience leading projects and change management.
Strong leadership, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
Demonstrated ability to manage complex employee relations issues and investigations.
Financial acumen with experience managing budgets and cost controls.
Excellent problem-solving, negotiation, and conflict resolution abilities.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Strong project management skills, including change management.
High emotional intelligence and cultural awareness.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, global environment.
Proficient computer skills in Microsoft Office
Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed.
Willingness to travel occasionally to vessels.

Benefits

Comp & perks

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

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

maritime HRcrew managementemployee relationsperformance managementworkplace investigationsbudget managementcost controlschange managementrecruitingonboarding

Soft Skills

leadershipinfluencingstakeholder managementproblem-solvingnegotiationconflict resolutionorganizational skillsemotional intelligencecultural awarenesscollaboration