Human Resources Director for Mitsui Ocean Cruises in London

The HR Director is to lead and manage all HR functions onboard Mitsui Ocean Cruises’ vessels. Acting as the primary HR business partner, this role is responsible for crew welfare, employee engagement, compliance, and HR administration. The HR Director ensures alignment with company policies, labor laws, and maritime regulations, while building a culture of respect, integrity, and cultural awareness that supports the company’s mission of delivering exceptional service and sustainable growth. Partners closely with shipboard leaders to capture best practices and share insights into operational efficiencies.

Key Responsibilities

• Crew Welfare & Employee Relations
  • Act as the primary contact for crew welfare, addressing grievances and ensuring fair resolutions in line with policies, CBAs, and maritime laws.
  • Lead the Shipboard Disciplinary Committee, ensuring fairness and consistency in performance and disciplinary matters.
  • Foster open communication channels with crew members to encourage trust, transparency, and timely resolution of concerns.
  • Implement initiatives to reduce anonymous complaints and promote positive morale.
• Employee Engagement & Recognition
  • Distribute and analyze new hire and bi-annual engagement surveys to assess crew satisfaction.
  • Collaborate with shipboard and shoreside teams to implement employee engagement and recognition programs.
  • Organize events and enrichment activities to foster appreciation, morale, and a positive work environment.
• Policy Development & Compliance
  • Partner with shipboard and shoreside leadership to establish and implement HR policies aligned with operational needs and company standards.
  • Monitor policy effectiveness, recommending adjustments for continuous improvement.
  • Ensure compliance with maritime labor conventions, CBAs, and legal requirements.
• Cultural Integration & Communication
  • Act as a cultural ambassador, fostering mutual respect among multinational crews.
  • Serve as a liaison between shipboard teams and shoreside management, providing insights on crew-related issues and HR practices.
  • Collaborate with Captain, Chief Engineer, and Hotel General Manager to ensure HR alignment with overall operations.
• HR Administration
  • Oversee HR records including contracts, appraisals, attendance, and personnel files.
  • Ensure accurate reporting of HR metrics and prepare for HR-related audits and inspections.
  • Maintain knowledge of MLC 2006, employment law, and relevant CBAs.
• Training & Development
  • Oversee onboarding and orientation for new hires.
  • Support succession planning and career development initiatives onboard.
  • Identify training needs and partner with Hotel General Manager to implement learning opportunities.
• Crisis Management
  • Assist in responding to crew emergencies or crises, coordinating resources and providing emotional support when needed.
• Strategic HR Functions
  • Contribute to HR strategic planning onboard and provide recommendations to shore-based HR leadership.
  • Setting clear expectations, providing ongoing feedback, and coaching, and tracking employee growth to drive individual and organizational performance.
  • Stay current on global HR trends and best practices.
  • Leads a strong, proactive safety culture by ensuring full compliance with company policies, USPH/HACCP, ISM, HESS and workplace safety standards, while empowering teams to identify, report, and resolve risks.
  • Champions environmentally responsible operations, ensuring compliance with MARPOL, waste-reduction strategies, recycling programs, and sustainable resource use across all departments.
  • Demonstrates Mitsui Ocean Cruises’ leadership values of integrity, accountability, respect, teamwork, and continuous improvement, serving as a cultural role model for all team members.
  • Responsible for reviewing performance appraisals for all team members.
  • Performs any related duties as assigned.

Education/Experience/Qualifications:

• Resilience and flexibility to adapt in a dynamic shipboard environment.
• High cultural sensitivity to support a multinational workforce.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong problem-solving and conflict-resolution abilities.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to align HR practices to business objectives.
• Confidentiality and integrity in handling sensitive HR matters.
• Competent in most situations; minor issues may exist but not communication-blocking.
• Communicate with work-related matters using simple words and short sentences.
• Builds an inclusive and collaborative work environment where all nationalities are respected, heard, and supported, fostering strong cross-cultural communication.
• Upholds and drives Mitsui Ocean Cruises’ premium Japanese hospitality philosophy—Omotenashi—ensuring all team interactions, services, and decisions reflect care, sincerity, and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and reporting tools.