Sr Mgr, Expedition Staff Dev & Training

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Position Summary

The Senior (Sr) Manager Expedition Training & Development will assist the VP and Sr Director of Expedition Field Staff and Operations to develop the short and long-term strategy of the training and development program to ensure it delivers to the companies Vison and Mission statement. The Sr Manager is responsible for leading a team of ship-based field staff trainers and an office-based Expedition Staff Training & Development Analyst, who are responsible for the training and development of more than 250 expedition staff.

He/she is responsible with ongoing envisioning, developing, implementing, and monitoring the execution of training and developmental programs for expedition field staff. The Sr Managers shore-based and onboard teams are tasked with continuous analysis of training needs, planning and facilitation of technical skills trainings, leadership development, as well as cultivating a spirit of teamwork, inclusivity, effective communication, and cultural sensitivity amongst staff.

The Sr Manager will be actively involved with industry organisations such as the International Association of Antarctica Operators (IAATO), Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) and Kimberly Marine Tourism Association (KMTA) to ensure they are conversant with all industry requirements.

He/she will be working in close collaboration with the Silversea Lead of Expedition Operations Permitting and Compliance to ensure our training and development of field staff are meeting the regional and national regulatory requirements.

There will also be a close collaboration with the Silversea Learning & Development Fleet Training Manager, based in Monaco, to ensure internal standards are followed.

Most KPI’s of the Expedition Operations department are closely tied to the expedition staff training & development program. Therefore, clear understanding of company and departmental strategic short and long-term planning of the training & development program is essential to achieve those KPI objectives.

Expedition staff retention has been identified as a strategic driver for the business to achieve the highest standard of product delivery, a strong and positive culture onboard, safety, compliance and cost efficiencies. One of the pillars of the Silversea expedition staff retention strategy is the continuous professional and leadership development plus multiple enriching opportunities. Through collaboration with the Sr Manager of Expedition Staff Recruitment, the Sr Manager Training and Development owns responsibility for tracking, presenting and updating departmental staff retention targets and related KPIs. Other important performance objectives of the role is developing short and long-term staff retention plans and actively driving higher improvement and retention rates.

The Sr Manager will work on developing and facilitating trainings through a variety of platforms, including on-line training platforms (e.g., LEAP, SLP), web-based seminars, workshops, and partnerships with on-site training providers while also leveraging the availability of existing trainers within the Expedition teams. He/she will be actively involved in creation of company-specific training documents and materials and will also oversee his/her team who manage the logistics associated with training program implementation.

The annual budget of the training and development department is the ultimate responsibility of the Sr Manager of Training and Development. This includes the quarterly forecasting, tracking and the preparation of presentations for budget meetings.

Sr. Manager will be tasked to introduce / re-introduce and own the following programs and partnerships:

Citizen Science

In collaboration with the Silversea Product and Development team, the Sr Manager Training and Development role will be operationalizing the on-board Citizen Science program.

Expedition Guide Curriculum and Internal Certification

Researching the feasibility and implementation of multi-level, multi-year, curriculum-based internal certification program for expedition guides covering both polar and non-polar regions.

Polar Tourism Guide Association (PTGA)

The Sr. Manager position will continue to develop and expand the relationship and business partnership with our primary training partner, PTGA, to achieve our objective of 85% of externally certified and qualified guides to international standard for Adventure Tourism Leaders and Guides (ISO 21102:2018) by the end of 2025.

Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the strategic development of the field staff training program and calendar to include remote/online trainings, in-person workshops (shore side and onboard), mentorship program, staff evaluation, staff briefings & debriefings, regular field- and web- based assessments.
• Responsible for introduction and implementation of Leadership Development strategy and detailed plan leadership development for field-based expedition staff.
• On-going strategic development of practical and theoretical training materials, curriculum, and assessments to include operations (SOPs), interpretation, service excellence, guiding, sustainability, leadership, and community engagement.
• Own vendor and consultant management, including providing context for projects, quality control, performance management and payment (LEAP, PTGA, Constant Contact, Survey Monkey, Leadership Circle Profile and others).
• Facilitate Leadership Development and Coaching training sessions, including design and deployment of strategy, creation of talent management and succession planning tools, facilitating and providing talent management discussions with expedition Leaders.
• Initiate and oversee 360-degree feedback delivery process as part of leadership development program.
• Maintain and keep enriching with new content online learning platform (LEAP) designed to support staff training initiatives and communications/team building during the pause in voyages.
• Represent Silversea Cruises at AECO, IAATO, KMTA and other expedition industry committees and working groups as assigned by the Company.
• Oversee creation and delivery of multiple surveys designed to capture needs in field staff training, retention and development.
• Oversee the logistics for pre-seasonal and other land-based trainings. That includes communication with participants, vendors, materials, crew department, hotel food and accommodations, etc.
• Closely collaborate with the Recruitment team on aligning training plans with field staff schedules, retention initiatives, reviewing of personnel assets and creation of personal development strategies.
• Closely collaborate with the Recruitment team on identifying assessor/trainer potential, future leader potential among field staff.
• Oversee and continue developing Mentorship program for newly hired field staff.
• Research and understand all regional requirements related to staff qualifications and experience.
• Fully responsible for planning, controlling and submission of Training & Development Budget.
• Oversee and ensure regular monitoring, populating and updating of staff training databases and communication platforms such as Survey Monkey, Constant Contact, social media apps, LEAP, and Silver Seafarer newsletter.
• Closely collaborate with Monaco Training Department in further aligning company-wide training requirements for staff and crew, as well as contributing in training related projects initiated by Monaco office.
  
  

Qualifications, Knowledge & Skills

• BSc/BA in Education, Travel, Tourism and Hospitality, Business Administration, Communications, Management or similar and relevant experience.
• A minimum of 3 years of filed-based expedition experience in polar and non-polar regions.
• A minimum of 5 years of training and development experience, preferably including outdoor education.
• A minimum of 3 year in managerial role, related or non-related to education.
• Experience working with onboard operations, hospitality, staff development.
• Deep understanding of expedition ship operations and operating regions.
• Experience in budget planning and financial control.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Some financial acumen associated with budgeting
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; professional demeanor.
• Able to effectively communicate product knowledge to consumers and trade partners if needed.
• Must be highly organized, self-motivated and capable of working with minimal direction.
• Ability to set priorities, handles multiple tasks simultaneously, and manages time effectively
• Attention to detail with strong admin skills
• Must be able to manage projects and resolve problems.
• Ability to present to and influence staff at all levels of the organization.
• Advanced geographical and destination knowledge.
• A clear understanding of industry standards, guidelines, codes of conduct and etiquette (e.g., IAATO, AECO and KMTA)
• Proactive and hands-on attitude
• Ability to work in a fast paced, deadline-oriented environment.
  
  

We know there's a lot to consider. As you go through the application process, our recruiters will be glad to provide guidance, and more relevant details to answer any additional questions. Thank you again for your interest in Royal Caribbean Group. We'll hope to see you onboard soon!

It is the policy of the Company to ensure equal employment and promotion opportunity to qualified candidates without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, sexuality, gender identity or expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Royal Caribbean Group and each of its subsidiaries prohibit and will not tolerate discrimination or harassment.