Cruise Ship Staff Recruitment Coordinator – Maritime Hiring Office
OceanGlide Cruises
Available Locations:
Johannesburg, Gauteng
Job Description
Job Summary
OceanGlide Cruises is expanding its world-class fleet and we’re looking for an experienced Cruise Ship Staff Recruitment Coordinator to own end‑to‑end hiring for shipboard and shoreside maritime roles. You will plan crew demand with Fleet & Hotel Operations, build global talent pipelines, run high-volume assessment and interview days, and ensure every hire meets stringent maritime, medical, and visa compliance standards (MLC, STCW, ENG1, C1/D, Schengen, etc.). This is a high-impact, metrics-driven role in a fast, seasonally peaked environment where operational excellence and candidate experience must go hand in hand.
Key Responsibilities
- Workforce planning: Partner with Shipboard Operations, Hotel, Deck, Engine, Entertainment, Medical, and Shoreside leaders to forecast crew needs by vessel, season, and dry-dock schedule.
- Sourcing & pipelining: Build and manage global talent pools (hospitality, culinary, deck/engine officers, medical staff, youth staff, entertainers, retail, spa, casino, housekeeping, F&B, etc.) through direct sourcing, digital campaigns, and agency partnerships.
- Assessment & selection: Design and execute assessment centers, technical interviews, and audition days (on-site & virtual) that are fair, fast, and competency-based.
- Compliance management: Verify all statutory documents (STCW, CoC/CoE, Passport validity, Seafarer’s Book, MLC compliance, ENG1 medicals, background/reference checks).
- Visa & travel coordination: Liaise with internal travel/logistics to ensure timely processing of C1/D, Schengen, and other country-specific visas and clearances.
- ATS ownership: Maintain data integrity, create dashboards, track SLAs, and automate workflows within the Applicant Tracking System.
- Offer & onboarding: Prepare offers, negotiate packages, and coordinate pre-joining formalities, sign-on logistics, and induction schedules.
- Vendor & agency management: Evaluate, onboard, and govern manning partners and recruitment agencies against KPIs, quality, and compliance requirements.
- Reporting & optimization: Deliver weekly/monthly hiring metrics (time-to-fill, cost-per-hire, pipeline health, pass-through rates) and drive continuous process improvements.
- Employer branding: Represent OceanGlide Cruises at career fairs, maritime academies, hospitality institutes, and online communities.
- Audit readiness: Maintain auditable recruitment records; support internal/external audits and flag any risks proactively.
- Team collaboration: Mentor junior recruiters/coordinators and champion best practices across the wider HR function.
Required Skills and Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Hospitality Management, Maritime Studies, or related field.
- Strong understanding of MLC 2006, STCW, ENG1 medical standards, and international seafarer documentation/visa processes.
- Proficiency with ATS/HRIS platforms, MS Excel/Google Sheets (pivot tables, lookups), and data visualization/reporting.
- Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation, and communication skills across multicultural, multi-time-zone teams.
- Demonstrated capability to run high-volume, fast-turnaround hiring cycles with uncompromising compliance.
- Fluent in English; additional languages (e.g., Spanish, Italian, Filipino, Portuguese, Hindi) are a plus.
Experience
- 4–7 years of full-cycle recruitment experience, with at least 2 years in maritime, cruise, hospitality, aviation, or other large-scale, compliance-heavy industries.
- Proven success in coordinating international recruitment and visa/immigration workflows.
- Experience organizing assessment centers/auditions and working with global manning agencies preferred.
Working Hours
- Standard hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00–18:00 (local office time).
- Flexibility required during peak seasons, vessel turnarounds, or urgent crew movements (rotational on-call support for different time zones).
- Occasional domestic/international travel (up to ~20%) for assessment events, agency audits, and campus drives.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Deep knowledge of maritime labor regulations and contracting models (temporary, rotational, fixed-term).
- Ability to read and interpret medical, certification, and licensing documents for seafarers.
- Strong process design & optimization mindset; comfortable mapping SOPs and implementing controls.
- Data-driven decision-making with an eye for trend analysis, early risk detection, and proactive mitigation.
- High cultural intelligence, empathy, and a commitment to delivering a memorable candidate experience.
Benefits
- Competitive salary + performance bonus.
- Comprehensive health insurance and retirement/PF plans (as applicable by location).
- Travel perks & discounted cruises for you and eligible dependents (per company policy).
- Learning & development budget, professional certification sponsorships (e.g., SHRM, CIPD).
- Hybrid work options (role/location dependent).
- Wellness programs, EAP, and paid time off.
Why Join
- Scale & impact: Help staff iconic ships that deliver unforgettable guest experiences worldwide.
- Global exposure: Work with diverse talent, agencies, and authorities across continents.
- Career growth: Clear pathways into broader Talent Acquisition Leadership, HRBP, or Global Mobility/Compliance roles.
- Continuous innovation: Be part of a data-led, automation-first HR organization committed to excellence and safety at sea.
How to Apply
- Submit your resume/CV and a short cover letter outlining your maritime/hospitality recruitment experience.
- Include links to your LinkedIn profile (optional) and any relevant certifications.
- Apply via the OceanGlide Cruises Careers Portal (Job ID: to be assigned) or email your application to our Maritime Hiring Office with the subject line: “Application – Cruise Ship Staff Recruitment Coordinator – [Your Name]”.
- Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a screening call followed by panel interviews and a case/metrics exercise.