Director, Housekeeping

The Director of Housekeeping & Laundry Operations serves as the strategic leader overseeing all housekeeping and laundry functions across the fleet, ensuring the highest standards of cleanliness, service excellence, and guest satisfaction. This role drives operational performance by setting the vision, establishing brand-aligned standards, and implementing best-in-class processes that elevate the guest experience and protect the company's reputation. 

In addition to overseeing daily operations, this leader is responsible for large-scale initiatives including newbuild integration, refurbishment projects, dry dock planning, vendor partnerships, and budget management. The Director plays a pivotal role in shaping the department's long-term strategy, fostering a culture of accountability and professional development, and ensuring compliance with all health, safety, and environmental standards.

Through cross-functional collaboration with Brand Experience, Product Development, Public Health, HR, and other key stakeholders, the Director ensures consistency and operational excellence across all vessels. By combining strategic oversight with hands-on leadership, this role not only enhances service delivery but also develops the next generation of shipboard leaders while contributing to the overall success of the brand.

Essential Functions:

• Talent Strategy & Organizational Alignment: Partner with shipboard department heads and Human Resources to assess talent gaps, drive succession planning, and oversee all personnel decisions including promotions, pay changes, and departmental moves via the Crew Personnel System (CPS). Lead initiatives to build leadership capability and foster a high-performance culture across the fleet.

• Team Development: Lead, coach, and inspire a diverse team of shipboard leaders. Drive talent development, succession planning, and performance management in partnership with HR. Foster a culture of accountability, service excellence, and professional growth.

• Project & Resource Management: Spearhead planning and execution of dry dock activities, newbuild integration, and refurbishment projects. Oversee product sourcing, vendor negotiations, and logistics to ensure timely delivery and operational readiness. Manage departmental CAPEX and R&M budgets with a focus on cost efficiency and value creation.

• Annual Planning for Floor Care & Upholstery: Partner with the Senior Manager, Housekeeping to develop and execute an annual plan for floor care and upholstery maintenance. Ensure ship-specific requirements are met, activities are aligned with brand aesthetics, and execution supports guest satisfaction without disrupting service

• Compliance & Safety Leadership: Ensure all housekeeping operations comply with HESS protocols and corporate policies. Lead risk assessments, promote safety culture, and ensure teams are trained and equipped to maintain a safe and healthy environment.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Serve as a key liaison between Housekeeping and internal stakeholders including Brand Experience, Product Development, Public Health, and Newbuild teams. Ensure operational needs are represented and integrated into broader company initiatives and destination planning.

• Performance Monitoring & Innovation: Analyze operational data, guest feedback, and financial metrics to identify trends and opportunities. Lead initiatives to enhance service delivery, streamline processes, and introduce innovative solutions that elevate the guest experience.

Qualifications:

• 8 years of leadership experience in housekeeping operations, preferably in cruise or hospitality industries.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Scope: Manage Shipboard personnel & activities/processes. Collaborate with both Shoreside and Shipboard.

• Problem solving: Leads the development and execution of operational strategies that directly influence the guest experience and brand presentation across the fleet. Makes high-level decisions that shape the visual and functional standards of staterooms, public spaces, and crew areas. Ensures shipboard teams are equipped with the tools, resources, and guidance needed to deliver excellence while maintaining financial discipline. Anticipates challenges, evaluates risks, and implements proactive solutions that balance operational efficiency, compliance, and service quality.

• Impact: Develops and leads the execution of strategic departmental plans and initiatives that directly influence fleet-wide housekeeping and laundry operations. Serves as the senior departmental representative in dry dock planning and execution meetings, ensuring operational priorities are fully integrated and aligned with brand standards. Oversees the evaluation and implementation of new or alternative product sourcing strategies, driving innovation and cost efficiency. Plays a key role in shaping departmental guidelines and standards, while actively mentoring and developing the next generation of leaders to ensure long-term organizational capability and continuity.

• Leadership: Manages 7 direct reports and oversees shipboard housekeeping teams.

• Influences cross-functional decisions and contributes to enterprise-wide initiatives.

Physical Demands: Requires regular movement throughout company facilities.

Travel: 25-50% shipboard travel likely

Work Conditions: Work primarily in a climate-controlled environment with minimal safety/health hazard potential.

This position is classified as "in-office." As an in-office role, it requires employees to work from a designated Carnival office in South Florida Tuesday through Thursday each week. Employees may work from their homes on Mondays and Fridays.  Candidates must be located in (or willing to relocate to) the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area.

Offers to selected candidates will be made on a fair and equitable basis, taking into account specific job-related skills and experience.  

At Carnival, your total rewards package is much more than your base salary. All non-sales roles participate in an annual cash bonus program, while sales roles have an incentive plan. Director and above roles may also be eligible to participate in Carnival's discretionary equity incentive plan. Plus, Carnival provides comprehensive and innovative benefits to meet your needs, including:

• Health Benefits:
  • Cost-effective medical, dental and vision plans
  • Employee Assistance Program and other mental health resources
  • Additional programs include company paid term life insurance and disability coverage 
• Financial Benefits:
  • 401(k) plan that includes a company match
  • Employee Stock Purchase plan
• Paid Time Off
  • Holidays – All full-time and part-time with benefits employees receive days off for 8 company-wide holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays to be taken at the employee's discretion. 
  • Vacation Time – All full-time employees at the manager and below level start with 14 days/year; director and above level start with 19 days/year.  Part-time with benefits employees receive time off based on the number of hours they work, with a minimum of 84 hours/year.  All employees gain additional vacation time with further tenure.
  • Sick Time – All full-time employees receive 80 hours of sick time each year.  Part-time with benefits employees receive time off based on the number of hours they work, with a minimum of 60 hours each year.  
• Other Benefits
  • Complementary stand-by cruises, employee discounts on confirmed cruises, plus special rates for family and friends
  • Personal and professional learning and development resources including tuition reimbursement 
  • On-site Fitness center at our Miami campus

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