People & Business Partner, Royal Caribbean

Griffin Resources is recruiting on behalf of Heinemann Americas, Inc. located in Coral Gables, FL.  

Established in 2014 as a subsidiary of Germany-based Gebr. Heinemann, Heinemann Americas has grown into a key player in cruise ship retail and distribution. Backed by over 140 years of global travel retail expertise, the Coral Gables–based team specializes in delivering luxury retail experiences for the cruise industry. They manage and operate state-of-the-art retail concessions aboard major cruise lines, curating an exceptional selection of premium perfumes, cosmetics, fashion, and accessories to provide passengers with a world-class shopping experience at sea. Through strong partnerships with leading cruise operators, Heinemann Americas has established itself as the premier provider of maritime travel retail solutions in the region. 

Position Summary:  

The People & Business Partner, Royal Caribbean serves as the day-to-day People & Culture partner to Royal Caribbean Fleet Operations and shipboard leaders. The role provides hands-on support across employee relations, performance management, recruitment, engagement, career development, and workforce matters while maintaining a strong understanding of business priorities and shipboard operations. The PBP works closely with the Senior Manager, Shipboard People & Culture and People & Services to ensure people decisions and operational workforce actions are aligned.   

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:  

Business Partnership  

• Serves as the primary day-to-day People & Culture partner for Royal Caribbean and Fleet Operations.  


• Builds consultative relationships with shipboard and shoreside leaders and provides practical people guidance aligned with business and employee needs.  


• Identifies workforce and people trends, recurring issues, and risks and escalates significant matters to the Senior Manager.  

Employee Relations & Performance  

• Manages employee-relations intake, fact gathering, investigations, recommendations, documentation, and follow-through.  


• Supports performance management, coaching, corrective action, and performance-improvement processes with Fleet Operations and shipboard leaders.  


• ​​​​​​​Responds to crew concerns and escalations and ensures appropriate resolution, communication, and documentation.  

Recruitment, Talent & Engagement  

• Participates in recruitment interviews and provides hiring recommendations based on role requirements, business needs, and shipboard readiness.  


• Supports engagement follow-through, including survey actions and recurring themes requiring business attention.  


• Provides input on career paths, development needs, succession considerations, and promotion readiness.  


• ​​​​​​​Partners with the Sales Trainer to identify skill gaps and training needs based on performance and business priorities.  

Workforce Partnership  

• Coordinates with People & Services on movements, backfills, onboarding readiness, and deployment timing while People & Services retains operational ownership.  


• Supports consistent application of shipboard People & Culture policies, employment standards, and relevant maritime requirements. 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.   

Financial Responsibilities:  

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  Supports people and workforce decisions with awareness of recruitment, turnover, travel, training, and staffing cost implications.   

  
  

Qualifications:  

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or related field.  


• 5+ years of progressive HR experience, including 3+ years in business partnering, employee relations, or a comparable role.  


• Shipboard, maritime, retail, hospitality, or operational workforce experience preferred.  


• Knowledge of MLC and relevant maritime employment requirements preferred. 

Knowledge and Skills:  

• Strong organizational judgment, communication, and stakeholder-management skills.  


• Ability to work effectively across cultures, time zones, and a mobile shipboard workforce.  


• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced operational environment.  


• Strong attention to detail, follow-through, and commitment to accurate documentation. 

Physical Demands:  

The physical demands described are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of the role, with or without reasonable accommodation. The role regularly requires sitting, standing, writing, reviewing information, using a computer, communicating, listening, and assessing information. Vessel and port visits may require extended walking and climbing stairs.   

​​​​​​​Work Environment:  

The role may operate in office, remote, port, and shipboard environments as business needs require. Travel to vessels, embarkation ports, and other business locations may be required.