Senior Director, Hotel Operations
Seattle, WA
Fleet Management – Hotel Operations /
full-time /
Hybrid
WHO WE ARE
Lindblad Expeditions is a true pioneer in Expedition Travel. From taking the first citizen explorers to Antarctica in 1966, opening the Galapagos and Easter Island to tourism in 1967, leading the first tourist expedition through the Northwest Passage in 1984, and launching our innovative partnership with National Geographic in 2004, we're now taking almost 30,000 guests a year to some of the world’s most remote and pristine locations on our fleet of 21 ships, and are committed to ensuring our guests experience the “Exhilaration of Discovery”.
ROLE OVERVIEW
As one of Lindblad Expeditions' key leaders, the Senior Director of Hotel Operations plays a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction and operational excellence of the hospitality experience across all vessels. This position is responsible for driving innovation, ensuring service consistency, and aligning shipboard and shoreside hotel operations with Lindblad’s mission of delivering extraordinary guest experiences.
The Senior Director oversees a global team and collaborates cross-functionally to maintain world-class standards, support continuous improvement, and achieve operational, financial, and guest satisfaction goals.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Strategic Leadership: Lead the vision and strategic planning for hotel operations, ensuring alignment with company goals and brand values.
- Fleetwide Oversight: Ensure consistent, high-quality execution across Dining, Bar/Lounge, Housekeeping, Laundry, Wellness, Public Spaces, Global Gallery, and Entertainment, in partnership with relevant department heads.
- Executive Team Collaboration: Serve as a key partner to SVP of Hotel Operations and other executive leadership team, supporting enterprise initiatives and providing strategic guidance on hospitality-related decisions.
- Culinary & Beverage Direction: Provide oversight and guidance on culinary and beverage initiatives in collaboration with the Culinary Director, ensuring elevated and innovative onboard experiences.
- Talent Development: Oversee recruitment, training, and leadership development of the hotel operations team, fostering a performance-driven, guest-centric culture.
- Operational Excellence: Standardize systems, processes, and procedures to optimize efficiency, scalability, and service quality across the fleet.
- Guest Experience Leadership: Drive service enhancement strategies based on guest feedback, operational data, and market trends to elevate guest satisfaction and loyalty.
- Budget & Financial Stewardship: Lead the development and management of multimillion-dollar operational budgets, focusing on cost control, profitability, and return on investment.
- Cross-Functional Alignment: Work closely with Marketing, Sales, Expedition Operations, and Charter Groups to ensure seamless service delivery and alignment of guest offerings.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with CDC/USPH and other maritime regulations, leading fleetwide training and audits to maintain best-in-class standards.
- Project Leadership: Spearhead shipyard and capital improvement projects, including budgeting, planning, and execution for hospitality-related areas.
- Brand & Product Development: Oversee the selection and implementation of uniforms, guest-facing materials, and onboard products, ensuring brand alignment and service consistency.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
- Industry Experience: Minimum of 10 years of experience in hotel operations, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
- Team Management: Proven track record in managing large, cross functional, distributed teams
- Strategic Thinking: Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic plans aligned with company goals.
- Operational Knowledge: In-depth understanding of hotel operations, including Dining, Housekeeping, and Guest Services.
- Financial Acumen: Strong budgeting and financial management skills.
- Collaboration Skills: Experience working with executive teams and cross-functional departments.
- Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with maritime regulations and compliance standards (CDC/USPH).
- Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- MS Office Suite proficiency
- Hybrid working model: Must be willing/able to work onsite Tue/Wed/Thu each week in our Seattle, WA offices
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Education: Master’s degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Project Management: Experience PMing, particularly in shipyard or capital improvement projects.
- Leadership Skills: Proven ability to foster a performance-driven, guest-centric culture and develop future leaders.
- Innovation: Strong background in culinary and beverage direction with a focus on guest experience enhancement.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Experience utilizing guest feedback and operational data to drive service improvements.
- Brand Development: Familiarity with brand and product development processes, including uniform and guest-facing material design.
- Global Perspective: Experience managing operations across multiple international locations and cultures.
- Technical Skills: Proficiency in hospitality management software and tools.
$140,000 - $160,000 a year
This role is eligible for a 15% annual bonus and an equity grant, based on performance and board approval.
OUR BENEFITS
• Travel benefits for employees and their family
• Health insurance including Medical, Dental, Vision
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Long-Term Disability, Life & AD&D Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to be used for out-of-pocket medical and dependent care
• Pre-Tax Commuter Benefit
• 7-8 Paid Holidays
• 2-3 Floating Holiday Options (pro-rated per start date)
• Up to 15 days of vacation (pro-rated per anniversary year)
• Parental Leave
• Sick/personal days per city & state ordinance
• Pet Insurance discount
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Using the English language, this person must have the ability to read, write, and comprehend policies, legal guidelines, correspondence, and memos. Must also possess the ability to effectively communicate--both in writing and orally--with a professional demeanor.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear. The employee will also be required to write and type. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.
COMPENSATION STATEMENT
Lindblad Expeditions determines the pay for positions using local, national, and industry-specific survey data. We evaluate external equity and the cost of labor/prevailing wage index in the relative marketplace for jobs directly comparable to jobs within our company. Our posted salary range is based on national data and may be refined for a candidate's region/town/cost of living.
For new hires, we strive to make competitive offers allowing the new employee room for future growth. Salaries will be based on the applicant’s location, level of experience, education, and specialized knowledge and skills. An employee/candidate with a stronger skill set will receive higher pay.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT
At Lindblad Expeditions, we simply could not do our work without the diverse kaleidoscope of humanity that creates and delivers our remarkable offerings across the planet. As a Company that respects and celebrates the inherent diversity in the places we explore, we recognize the need to mirror that same diversity and all the interconnected perspectives within our organization. We are committed to building a community of different genders, races, ages, sexual orientations, chosen identities, and countries of origin where every person brings their whole self to work and whose skills, talents, and abilities are valued. We believe we can explore further and in a more meaningful way by actively creating a more diverse and inclusive organization where everyone feels they belong.
Lindblad Expeditions is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals seeking employment at Lindblad Expeditions are considered without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetics, marital status, pregnancy, unemployment status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or veteran status.
