Carnival Cruise Line is hiring: Director, Housekeeping in Miami

Overview

The Director of Housekeeping & Laundry Operations serves as the strategic leader overseeing all housekeeping and laundry functions across the fleet, ensuring the highest standards of cleanliness, service excellence, and guest satisfaction. This role drives operational performance by setting the vision, establishing brand-aligned standards, and implementing best-in-class processes that elevate the guest experience and protect the company’s reputation. The Director leads large-scale initiatives including newbuild integration, refurbishment projects, dry dock planning, vendor partnerships, and budget management. The role shapes the department’s long-term strategy, fosters accountability and professional development, and ensures compliance with health, safety, and environmental standards. Through cross-functional collaboration with Brand Experience, Product Development, Public Health, HR, and other stakeholders, this position ensures consistency and operational excellence across all vessels while developing future shipboard leaders and contributing to the brand’s success.

Responsibilities

• Talent Strategy & Organizational Alignment: Partner with shipboard department heads and Human Resources to assess talent gaps, drive succession planning, and oversee all personnel decisions including promotions, pay changes, and departmental moves via the Crew Personnel System (CPS). Lead initiatives to build leadership capability and foster a high-performance culture across the fleet.
• Team Development: Lead, coach, and inspire a diverse team of shipboard leaders. Drive talent development, succession planning, and performance management in partnership with HR. Foster a culture of accountability, service excellence, and professional growth.
• Project & Resource Management: Plan and execute dry dock activities, newbuild integration, and refurbishment projects. Oversee product sourcing, vendor negotiations, and logistics to ensure timely delivery and operational readiness. Manage departmental CAPEX and R&M budgets with a focus on cost efficiency and value creation.
• Annual Planning for Floor Care & Upholstery: Develop and execute an annual plan for floor care and upholstery maintenance aligned with ship-specific requirements and brand aesthetics to support guest satisfaction without disrupting service.
• Compliance & Safety Leadership: Ensure all housekeeping operations comply with HESS protocols and corporate policies. Lead risk assessments, promote safety culture, and ensure teams are trained and equipped to maintain a safe environment.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as a key liaison between Housekeeping and Brand Experience, Product Development, Public Health, and Newbuild teams to ensure operational needs are integrated into broader initiatives.
• Performance Monitoring & Innovation: Analyze operational data, guest feedback, and financial metrics to identify trends and opportunities. Lead initiatives to enhance service delivery, streamline processes, and introduce innovative solutions.

Qualifications

• 8 years of leadership experience in housekeeping operations, preferably in cruise or hospitality industries.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Scope: Manage shipboard personnel and activities; collaborate with both shoreside and shipboard teams.
• Problem solving: Develop and execute operational strategies that influence guest experience and brand presentation fleet-wide; ensure teams have tools and guidance to deliver excellence while maintaining financial discipline.
• Impact: Lead strategic departmental plans; represent housekeeping in dry dock planning; oversee product sourcing strategies; mentor future leaders.
• Leadership: Manages 7 direct reports and oversees shipboard housekeeping teams.
• Influences cross-functional decisions and contributes to enterprise-wide initiatives.

Other Details

• Travel: 25-50% shipboard travel likely.
• Work Conditions: Climate-controlled environment; minimal safety/health hazards.
• Work Location: This is an in-office role based in South Florida; employees work from a Carnival office in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area Tuesday to Thursday, with Mondays and Fridays remote. Candidates must be located in (or willing to relocate to) the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area.

Benefits & About Us

Offers to selected candidates are made on a fair basis based on job-related skills and experience. Carnival’s total rewards include annual cash bonuses for non-sales roles, incentive plans for sales roles, and discretionary equity incentives for Director+ roles. Benefits include health, financial, paid time off, and other programs such as learning resources and on-site fitness at the Miami campus. Carnival supports ethical and compliant culture and is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer.

About Carnival Cruise Line

At Carnival Cruise Line, our mission is to deliver safe, fun, and memorable vacations at a great value. We offer unique experiences across our fleet, with a focus on guest enjoyment and a dedication to responsible operations.