Head of People & Training at Red

The Gig:

The Head of People & Training, People is responsible for driving and executing People strategy, initiatives and goals to meet Company Objectives and Key Results.  This position is responsible for all human resource functions for our shoreside teams including, but not limited to: talent acquisition, retention efforts, training, leadership development, benefits implementation and planning, supporting career progression initiatives, people administration, people budgeting, compliance and certifications, employee relations, contracts, compensation and payroll administration.  This position reports to the CEO.

You will report to the CEO and be part of the company’s senior team as a member of our Senior Operating Committee. You will work closely with the Crew Experience and Comms teams to achieve our crew satisfaction and engagement goals. For the avoidance of doubt, the Crew Experience and Comms teams report to the Chief Marketing  Officer.

Our People Operations will lead the strategic approach to managing our most important asset - our crew.  The core functions will maximize performance while achieving our company’s objectives.  This will include:

People Strategy (People Planning, Organizational Design), Talent Engagement (Talent Acquisition, Talent Performance & Retention, Training & Development), People Administration (Compensation and Benefits Administration, HRIS management, HR Compliance, Employee Relations), Training, influence the career and professional development of all crew (land and sea), and create and continually develop the organizational training strategy for all of our shipboard and HQ crew , in alignment with organizational objectives.

This gig is based at VVHQ - our swanky Virgin Voyages Head Office in Plantation, FL where we follow a hybrid work environment. We can't wait to 'sea' you in person during our Collaboration Days, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, while you enjoy Mondays and Fridays' as remote days.

What You'll Be Up To:

People Strategy

• Develop People Strategy including long-term and short-term goals to drive performance for shoreside teams

• Collaborate and provide ongoing support with leaders to optimize their success and changing organization structures to best meet company objectives and goals

• Oversight of external partners in providing staff augmentation

• Support partners to achieve set KPIs and ensure their success

• Implement People Team KPIs to support and lead team to flawless execution of service to all our Crew

• Collaborate with our Crew Experience team to identify needs and create plans to enable all leaders and Crew to deliver on the VV experience

• Establish and develop effective performance and learning management systems for all levels of the organization

• Identify and utilize People metrics to evaluate, anticipate and create action plans to address any potential business challenges

• Advise on setting company policies that insure Crew fairness while also maximizing economies and efficiencies in line with our overall company objectives

Talent Engagement

• Understand the talent needs of the business, develop workforce planning initiatives and proactively identify talent strategies including acquisition, retention, and career progression programs

• Execute Crew branding initiatives to attract the right Crew members for our brand through career website development, social media, applicant tracking system and other applicable communication vehicles 

• Oversee recruitment and support selection process for all shoreside positions to ensure an exceptional candidate experience, as well as an effective and timely onboarding process

• Ensure that Virgin Voyages is staffed with Crew who are fully qualified for their positions including certifications, training, medical qualifications and experience

• Establish and maintain procedures for identifying any training which may be required in support of the Safety Management System, as well as ensure that such training is provided for all appropriate Crew 

• Ensure compensation and benefit plans are competitive and effective in attracting talent and driving performance

• Perform regular compensation and organizational analysis to ensure teams are structured effectively and efficiently to deliver company objectives

People Administration

• Provide leadership and guidance of People functions by overseeing the administration of programs including benefits, compensation, talent management, onboarding, recruitment and succession planning

• Ensure compliance with all employment and labor laws, safety, environmental and other company policies

• Manage the implementation and compliance of People policies for shoreside crew

• Prepare and monitor company headcount planning and resource allocation, including detailed monthly headcount reporting in partnership with the finance team

• Vigorously challenge department leaders to optimize organizational headcount structure/size relative to business requirements/needs  

• Build and maintain rewards and recognition programs for shoreside crew

• Embrace the Virgin Voyages culture and promote the company mission, vision, values and standards to internal and external stakeholders, including development of ongoing training for fair and equitable workplace initiatives

• Responsible and accountable for Employee Related Investigations and Reporting.

• Take active part in counseling and coaching for all grievance situations, and assist in identifying, evaluating and resolving people relations and work performance issues and opportunities. Ensure Virgin Voyages Crew always know they are treated fairly.

Training Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive training strategy aligned with the organization's goals and objectives. 

Needs Assessment:

• Identify training needs through various methods, such as performance evaluations, gap analysis, and stakeholder feedback. 

Program Design & Delivery:

• Design, develop, and deliver training programs using various instructional methods, including e-learning, classroom training, and workshops. 

Evaluation & Improvement:

• Evaluate the effectiveness of training programs through metrics, assessments, and feedback, and continuously improve program content and delivery. 

Vendor Management:

• Manage relationships with external training vendors and negotiate fair deals for employee training programs. 

Compliance Training:

• Oversee compliance training and certification programs, ensuring employees understand and adhere to regulatory requirements. 

SuperPowers Required:

• Bachelor's degree required, Masters a plus

• Minimum of 15 years of human resources leadership experience

• Preferred prior senior leader experience in cruise line shoreside human resource functions

• Minimum of 5 years of HR strategic leadership with labor relations, as well as experience working with International Unions

• Thorough knowledge of employment-related laws and regulations

• Global experience working across countries and cultures. GPHR Certified a plus.

• Knowledge in US Employment Laws and regulations

• SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification is strongly preferred

• Ability to establish strategic and tactical goals, hold others accountable and achieve results

• Role model in personal behavior with actions exemplifying the company's values and standards

• Can effectively manage confidential matters and information

• "Hands-on" management style with the ability to motivate and inspire others

• Strong relationship and communication skills with the ability to convey ideas effectively to a variety of audiences

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Strong supervisory and leadership skills

• Knowledge of and experience with varied human resource information systems

What Matters to Us:

At Virgin, your personality matters as much as how good you are at what you do. We want you to bring it to our hangout spot and help make the place even better. So, we won’t be surprised to hear that when people talk about you they say you are clever, on top of it, able to think ahead, intuitive, passionate and someone people respect and enjoy working with because you make things happen.

Virgin Voyages is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from qualified, eligible applicants regardless of their sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy and maternity. Our greatest strength comes from our ability to come together as unique individuals -- we seek to always embrace and celebrate our differences, providing an inclusive workplace environment that allows you to be your best self.

Virgin Voyages is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Virgin Voyages via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from Virgin Voyages HR/Recruitment will be deemed the sole property of Virgin Voyages. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Virgin Voyages as a result of the referral or through other means.