Head of Learning, Development and Talent Management

Your Purpose

The Head of Learning & Development (Onboard & Ashore) and Talent Management (Ashore) is responsible for defining and leading the global strategy for Learning and Development across both shipboard and shore-based employees, while overseeing Talent Management and Succession Planning for shore-based populations only.
The role ensures the company develops the capabilities required to deliver exceptional guest experiences, operational excellence, and strong leadership across a global workforce, including thousands of shipboard crew and a diverse shore-based organization.
For shipboard employees, the role focuses on building world-class operational and service capabilities through structured training, leadership development, and career progression frameworks that support fleet performance and guest satisfaction.
For shore-based employees, the role leads both Learning & Development and Talent Management, including leadership development, succession planning, and talent pipeline development for corporate and operational leadership roles.
Working closely with senior operational leaders across Operations, Guest Experience, and Corporate Functions, this role drives a culture of continuous learning, leadership excellence, and organizational capability building across the company’s global operations.

Your Impact

Global Learning & Development Strategy (Onboard & Ashore)

• Define and implement the global Learning & Development strategy covering both shipboard crew and shore-based employees.
• Develop an integrated learning ecosystem that supports operational excellence onboard and leadership capability ashore.
• Ensure learning initiatives directly support strategic priorities such as:
  • guest experience excellence
  • safety and compliance
  • operational performance
  • leadership effectiveness
  • digital and business transformation
• Oversee onboarding and development frameworks to accelerate employee integration and performance across both shipboard and shore environments.
• Lead the adoption of modern learning approaches including digital learning, simulation-based training, microlearning, and blended learning solutions.

Shipboard Learning & Development

• Lead the design and delivery of the global shipboard learning and development strategy across the fleet.
• Partner closely with Marine Operations, Hotel Operations, Food & Beverage, and Guest Experience leadership to ensure training programs support operational priorities and service excellence.
• Ensure consistent training standards across the fleet while accommodating the operational realities of shipboard environments.
• Oversee development programs for key shipboard roles, including supervisory and management development programs for future onboard leaders.
• Support structured career development pathways for shipboard crew, enabling internal progression across hospitality and operational functions.
• Ensure alignment with all maritime regulatory training requirements and safety standards.

Shore-Based Learning & Development

• Lead the design and implementation of learning and development programs for shore-based employees across corporate and operational functions.
• Develop capability-building initiatives supporting key business priorities such as:
  • leadership effectiveness
  • commercial capabilities
  • digital transformation
  • operational excellence
  • guest-centric culture
• Design structured leadership development programs for emerging, mid-level, and senior leaders.
• Develop functional academies and capability frameworks supporting critical corporate disciplines.

Talent Management & Succession Planning (Ashore Only)

• Define and implement the company’s global talent management strategy for shore-based employees.
• Lead processes for:
  • talent identification and talent reviews
  • succession planning for critical leadership roles
  • high-potential development programs
  • leadership pipeline development
  • career development frameworks
• Partner with executive leadership and HR Business Partners to ensure strong succession pipelines for key corporate and operational leadership positions ashore.
• Embed talent management practices into performance management and leadership development frameworks.

Leadership Development

• Design and implement leadership development programs supporting both shipboard and shore-based leadership populations.
• Establish a global leadership framework aligned with the company’s values and guest-centric culture.
• Strengthen leadership capabilities in areas such as:
  • people leadership
  • operational decision-making
  • service excellence
  • innovation and continuous improvement
  • cross-cultural leadership

Your Journey so far

Education

• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or related field.

Experience

• 15+ years of progressive experience in Learning & Development, Talent Management, or Organizational Development.
• Significant experience designing and implementing global learning strategies for large, international workforces.
• Proven experience leading talent management and succession planning programs for corporate leadership populations.
• Experience in cruise, hospitality, travel, aviation, or other large service-driven organizations strongly preferred.
• Experience working in highly multicultural and geographically distributed environments.

Key Competences

• Strategic Learning & Capability Development
• Talent Management & Succession Planning (Corporate)
• Leadership Development
• Service Excellence & Hospitality Culture
• Stakeholder Influence & Executive Partnership
• Global Mindset & Cultural Intelligence
• Organizational Development
• Learning Technology & Digital Learning

Your Essentials

• Fluency in English is required; Italian, French, German or other European languages are a plus.

Our commitment

We are committed to building a future that values diverse perspectives, embraces the world beyond borders, and fosters an inclusive environment where every individual feels valued, respected and empowered to be their authentic selves. Our commitment extends to taking meaningful, measurable actions that have a long-term positive impact on our guests, our employees and our planet.

Ready to turn your passion into something extraordinary? Join us at MSC Cruises, where new opportunities await. Apply today to be part of a global team that is pushing boundaries and achieving something remarkable. Your journey starts here!