Hotel Director for ORIENT EXPRESS SAILING YACHTS

• Job ID: 47852
• Rank: Hotel Director
• Employment Type: Contract
• Joining Date: Mar 1, 2026
• Type of Vessel: Passenger Ship
• Engine Details: Wartsila 25DF
• DWT / GRT: 16200

For the past 140 years, Orient Express has been sublimating the Art of Travel with luxury trains, unique experiences and collections of rare objects. And soon the heritage of this legendary train will be transported to a collection of hotels and sailing yachts around the world. Introducing a new art de vivre, a different kind of journey that promises unforgettable moments along the way and the same destination since the beginning: to make dreams come true.

V.Ships Leisure are the exclusive hiring partner for Orient Express and are now recruiting for roles for the new build team, based in the shipyard before sailing with the vessel. 

We are looking for an experienced Hotel Director ready to join the vessel in early 2026

Position Summary

The Hotel Director is the on-board leader representing Orient Express, driving operational excellence for the entire hotel department, guiding, monitoring and leading by example.

The Hotel Director is responsible for motivating their entire team as well as inspiring positive communication within, so together, all goals can be achieved.

The Hotel Director must have passion to continue advancing their knowledge of Orient Express’ clients; Orient Express structure; reviewing and following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

The Hotel Director leads the team with purpose, striving for excellence.

As a member of the senior management group onboard, the Hotel Director has responsibility for the daily hotel operations onboard, working collaboratively with the Marine Department as outlined in our organizational and operational framework, to continually exceed the highest possible standards defined our Services standards.

The Hotel Director will ensure Orient Express objectives are met and maintained at all times through maximizing revenue, managing crew performance, and maintaining and building the reputation of Orient Express.

The Hotel Director interacts with guests pro-actively, promoting Orient Express’ levels of personalized and excellence in service, including formaly greeting Guests on arrival and departure, participating in scheduled guest activities, parties, and hosting tables regularly throughout the voyage. 

Required Must-Do Responsibilities

The Hotel Director is required to manage all daily hotel functions, following designated Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), adhering to system, documentation, reporting, onboarding and communications etiquette processes including:

• Visibility and presence for Guests
  • The hotel director needs to prioritize visibility with guests and ensure that himself/herself as well as his department heads are consistently interacting with guests to foster satisfaction and gather advance feedback when needed. This must be done through attending parties, hosting dinners, and be creative in organizing memorable events for guests.
  • Responsible for the adherence to the drinking age policy
• Onboarding of Heads of Departments (HODs) and Crew
  • Greet incoming crew and HODs.
  • Train and develop HODs and crew as per Orient Express’s SOPs and job descriptions, using the Orient Express Training Academy Modules.
  • Orientate on use and implementation of Orient Express’s SOPs.
  • Educate crew on all health and safety as per onboard SMS and USPH guidelines.
• Reporting Process (timely and accurate)
  • End of Voyage Report
  • End of Month Report
  • Inventories report
  • USPH Self-Inspection
  • Housekeeping Inspections (crew and passenger cabins)
  • Any reports assigned from Orient Express
  • All reports required are to be submitted within the timeframe allocated, failure to submit timely reports will be a reflection on poor performance
• Manuals Process
  • Follow all manuals and Orient Express SOPs
  • Follow and manage all health and safety protocols as designated by VSP
  • Utilize forms, reporting documents, templates and all filing systems designated by Orient Express shore management
• Inventory Par Levels
  • Maintain knowledge of par-levels, review inventory reports and ensure spot-checks are completed
  • Ensure inventory levels are managed, thereby reducing waste and increasing profitability
• Communications Etiquette
  • The Hotel Director is required to follow all communications etiquette as defined in Orient Express’s SOPs
  • The Hotel Director will lead a daily briefing with HODs to advise the items of the day, review previous days performance and address any items that require attention
  • The Hotel Director will lead a mid-cruise meeting with notes to discuss with HODs any and all items that require attention, any ideas for improvement, crew welfare and maintenance needs
  • The Hotel Director will educate and ensure all HODs and crew follow communications etiquette as defined in Orient Express’s SOPs 

• Uniform Standards
  • Orient Express has designated uniform standards in Orient Express’s SOPs and they are expected to be followed without exception
  • The Hotel Director as the leader for the Hotel team is expected to be the example and ensure all crew are following the standards as defined in the SOPs

The Hotel Director Must Follow the following Functions of Management:

 Strategic Planning:

• Follow set standards and improve internal systems with an eye toward future needs and trends using budget realities.
• Attain Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) set by Orient Express shoreside management.
• Prepare/supervise timely completion of administrative, financial and inventory reports and documentation according to Orient Express Shoreside Management guidelines.
• Responsible for monitoring inventory management, ensuring purchasing standards and processes are consistent with Orient Express Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• To control the operational cost (budget versus actual) of the Hotel Department onboard as requested by the Corporate Office without lowering product and service standards.
• To forecast budget requirements related to all aspects of operational costs within the Hotel Department for the upcoming financial year.
• To oversee the onboard accounting procedures and record keeping onboard, ensuring that all accounting matters comply with the accounting procedures determined by Orient Express’ SOPs.
• To ensure that Company property is maintained properly and treated with respect at all times.
• Consistent coordination and communication with the head office in the areas of Human Resources, Purchasing and Logistics, and the day-to-day operation.

Organising Resources to Achieve Goals:

• Supervising and managing all aspects of the hotel department, collaborating with all Hotel Department heads to ensure crew and guest satisfaction.
• Share in knowledge dissemination, reporting, and communications.  

Talent Development:

• Develop and maintain positive, professional relationships with all team members via regular meetings, two-way communication, timely feedback, collaboration, mentoring, training, and consistent visibility to all crew and guests.
• Providing/supervising on-the-job training to team members and record keeping thereof.
• Developing the crew rotation planning/schedules with the head office.
• Conducts annual performance appraisal with direct reports according to Orient Express’s SOPs and Safety Management System (SMS).
• Ensuring disciplinary action is taken when required, utilizing fairness and respect within the framework of Orient Express SOPs and MLC guidelines.
• Sets goals and expectations for direct reports using the performance review process and holds crew accountable for successful performance.
• Act as a coach for all department heads and foster a coaching culture onboard.
• Communicates a clear and consistent message regarding departmental goals to produce desired result
• Hold daily meetings with Heads of Departments to coordinate and monitor the progress of all projects, manage compliance and align goals.
• Fosters crew commitment to providing excellent service models desired service behaviors in all interactions with guests and crew utilizing Orient Express Standards.
• Incorporates guest satisfaction as a component of staff/operations meetings with an emphasis on generating innovative ways to continually improve results.
• Verifies that policies are administered fairly and consistently, disciplinary procedures and documentation are completed according to Safety Management System (SMS) and Orient Express’ SOPs.

Guiding and Directing Activities:

• Communicates a clear and consistent message regarding departmental goals to produce desired results.
• Hold daily meetings with Heads of Departments to coordinate and monitor the progress of all projects, manage compliance and align goals.
• Fosters crew commitment to providing excellent service models desired service behaviors in all interactions with guests and crew utilizing Orient Express Standards.
• Incorporates guest satisfaction as a component of staff/operations meetings with an emphasis on generating innovative ways to continually improve results.
• Verifies that policies are administered fairly and consistently, disciplinary procedures and documentation are completed according to Safety Management System (SMS) and Orient Express’ SOPs.

Controlling Success Systems:

• Reviews guest feedback with leadership team and verifies that appropriate corrective action is taken.
• Executing the Orient Express Brand Standards as per SOPs.
• Ensuring maintenance and repairs required in the hotel department are performed, with follow- up to ensure issues are rectified.
• Monitoring hotel operations activities, performing inspections (USPH, guest and crew cabins, public and crew areas) and taking corrective action when required.
• Ensuring that company food safety and sanitation standards are maintained throughout the hotel department in accordance with USPH and UKPH, following Vessel Sanitation Standards.

Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s)

• Attain target KPI’s, any deviation of target is required to have an explanation with plan to reach goal
• KPI’s will be measured on Guest Satisfaction, Onboard Revenue, Onboard Costs and Crew Satisfaction; goals and expectations will be defined by Orient Express shore management
• KPI’s are used as a measure for performance of the Hotel Director

Key Behavioral Indicators (KBI’s)

• All KBI targets are expected to be attained
• What gets measured, gets managed – daily assessment of costs, revenue, guest and crew engagement is required with adjustments made when targets are not reached
• You must inspect what you expect – validating performance and standards, supporting and guiding crew to keep on target
• Feedback – Consistent review of feedback from guests and crew, modify any behaviors or practices as needed and address any challenges with the assistance of shoreside management
• Management by Walking Around – Visibility is essential, communicate with crew and guests while visually inspecting your surroundings
• In the Absence of facts, perception becomes reality – Follow Orient Express’s SOPs to ensure you have an objective view of standards. Manage perception by managing standards
• Adheres to perfect grooming and uniform standards consistently (shaving, body odor, appropriate hair style with no non-natural color, no excessive jewelry, clean hands, clean/pressed uniform as per standard)
• Lead by example: The hotel director is an ambassador of Orient Express’ work philosophy and demonstrates a congenial yet effective management style, treating crew members with respect and fairness at all times

Qualifications and Experience required

• Languages: Fluent in English. One additional language preferred (French, German, Chinese, Spanish)
• Education: A university degree or equivalent in Hospitality or related field
• Previous professional experience: Seafaring Hotel Director experience within the Luxury Cruise Industry (5 years) preferred; equivalent experience will be considered as an additional criterion.
• Shipboard experience: Yes / No
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel & systems.
• Knowledge of budgeting techniques and financial analysis.
• Exceptional communication, problem solving and decision-making skills.

 Certification required

• Valid STCW certificates
• Valid Pre-Employment Medical
• C1D visa mandatory for all positions

General requirements

• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Be physically fit to stand for at least 10 hours per day and be able to lift at least 50 lbs (~22 kgs) without assistance

• Male candidates must be at least 5’1” (156 cm) tall. Females must be at least 4’9” (150 cm) tall
• Ability to speak, understand and comprehend English at an acceptable level. Additional language requirements are applicable for certain front of the house positions
• Ability to work and live in a structured yet multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment
• Ability to apply common sense and to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form
• Ability to bend, kneel, crouch, crawl and balance
• No visible tattoos when wearing short sleeved, shorts or skirts. Adheres to perfect grooming and uniform standards consistently (shaving, body odor, appropriate hair style with no non-natural color, no excessive jewelry, clean hands, clean/pressed uniform as per standard)