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Travelling Head of Hotel Services & Product Development, Porto
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Client:
Mystic Cruises
Location:
Porto, Portugal
Job Category:
Other
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EU work permit required:
Yes
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Job Reference:
69400e29189d
Job Views:
3
Posted:
10.05.2025
Expiry Date:
24.06.2025
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Job Description:
Job Description
Mission Statement
Deliver exceptional and consistent hotel experiences across all vessels, driving satisfaction, operational excellence, and continuous innovation, while ensuring expectations are met across U.S., German, and B2B charter operations (French, Expedition).
Job Summary
As Travelling Head of Hotel Services & Product Development, you will oversee shipboard hotel operations and ensure smooth coordination with shoreside departments, including HR, Purchasing, Marine, and Compliance. You will lead the ongoing development of our hospitality experience, act as a mentor to onboard teams, and serve as the gatekeeper of operational standards and company values across our fleet.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- All onboard Heads of Department (HODs)
- Hotel-related positions across the company fleet
Key Duties & Responsibilities
- Oversee all hotel departments onboard, including Reception/Guest Services, Restaurant & Bars, Purser/Administration, Housekeeping, Land Programs, and Entertainment
- Lead full hotel operations, including guest services, F&B, housekeeping, finance, excursions, and administration
- Prepare and manage the annual hotel budget in line with company goals
- Maintain responsibility for achieving company KPIs in revenue, cost control, and guest satisfaction
- Review and oversee onboard financial reporting
- Act as the primary point of contact for charter partners, ensuring their service standards are consistently met and exceeded
- Guide product development and innovation tailored to U.S., German, French, and other key markets
- Supervise hotel maintenance in collaboration with the technical team and service vendors
- Ensure compliance with maritime and hospitality industry regulations (CLIA, ISM Code, HACCP, etc.)
- Promote and enforce company culture, values, and standard operating procedures (SOPs)
- Oversee project rollouts and support the implementation of new service initiatives
- Support training and development programs for hotel staff at all levels
- Participate in HR planning and succession development
- Serve as a key member of the company’s Emergency Response Team
- Review and approve all non-food procurement orders from vessels
- Coordinate quality assurance initiatives aligned with SOPs and service standards
Qualifications
Required Skills & Competencies
- Demonstrated leadership in managing multicultural, multinational hotel teams
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English (C1 level minimum)
- Strong coaching, training, and team development ability
- Confident presenter and communicator across all organizational levels
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel
- Experience with dry docks and refurbishment projects is a plus
- Flexibility and willingness to travel frequently across the fleet
- Working knowledge of hotel quality and compliance systems
Education & Experience Requirements
- Minimum 5 years of experience as a Hotel Director onboard a cruise vessel
- Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality, Business, or related field
- Completion of a recognized Hotel Management program is highly preferred
- Background in expedition cruising and long-duration/world cruises preferred
- Fluency in English; German language skills considered an asset
Additional Information
Reporting To:
Senior Director of Operations
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