Overview
Awarded World’s Best Small Ship Cruise line, Windstar Cruises is known for intimate yacht style experience and unique voyages to the world’s best small ports and hidden harbors. Its three sailing yachts and four all-suite yachts carry just 148 to 342 guests and cruise around the world. Our mission is to imagine and deliver personalized and immersive experiences 180 degrees from ordinary. We enrich people’s perspective through inspired travel.
Our Mission: Enriching Lives Through Travel
Our Values: Guest Obsessed, Open and Inviting, Fun-Loving and Focused, Light-Hearted and Genuine, Casual Yet Polished, Safe and Responsible.
Job Summary:
The Manager, Compliance is a key member of the Windstar Cruises Fleet Operations team, partnering closely with the Director, Safety, Environmental & Compliance to lead the day-to-day operation of the Company’s compliance function. This position manages the administration, coordination, and execution of the Company’s Safety Management System (SMS), environmental compliance programs, regulatory monitoring, audits, and security requirements. The Manager, Compliance plays a leading role in sustaining Windstar’s safety and environmental culture across the fleet.
Responsibilities
Safety Management System (SMS) Management
Manages the administration and maintenance of the Company’s SMS on behalf of the Director, including:
- Leads the review, revision, and distribution of SMS policies, procedures, and associated documentation.
- Manages the Company’s electronic SMS platform, ensuring documents are current, accessible, and properly version-controlled.
- Oversees SMS-related action items, corrective actions, and follow-up requirements across the fleet.
- Coordinates SMS training and awareness programs for shipboard and shore-side staff.
Regulatory Compliance & Monitoring
Monitors and interprets regulatory requirements on behalf of the Director, including:
- Conducts environmental and safety regulatory research based on fleet itineraries, flag state requirements, and port-state control expectations.
- Tracks changes to maritime regulations (MARPOL, SOLAS, ISM, ISPS, MLC, and STCW) and summarizes impacts for internal stakeholders.
- Prepares and submits required regulatory reports and notifications to Flag, Class, and port authorities.
- Monitors CLIA, flag state, and classification society bulletins, circulars, and updates, distributing relevant guidance to the fleet.
Audit Management (ISM / ISPS / Environmental)
Leads planning and execution of internal and external audits, including:
- Coordinates scheduling, documentation preparation, and pre-audit readiness activities for ISM, ISPS, and environmental audits.
- Manages audit findings, non-conformities, and observations, ensuring responsible parties are notified and action plans are documented.
- Monitors corrective action deadlines and follows up to ensure timely closeout of audit findings.
- Maintains audit records and associated documentation in an organized and accessible manner.
Environmental Compliance
Manages environmental compliance operations for the Company and its vessels, including:
- Coordinates the collection, validation, and reporting of environmental data (e.g., EcoMetrix/MWR) for the fleet.
- Develops and tracks annual environmental compliance goals.
- Reviews and updates environmental policies and procedures in accordance with regulatory changes and fleet feedback.
- Leads sustainability program coordination in partnership with the Director.
Sea Event System Administration
Oversees the day-to-day management of the Sea Event reporting system, including:
- Monitors the Sea Event system to ensure all reports are submitted, reviewed, and approved in a timely manner.
- Prepares Sea Event statistics summaries for presentation at Shore Safety, Health, and Environmental committee meetings.
- Identifies trends in reported events and escalates significant or recurring issues to the Director.
Safety Operations Management
Leads fleet-wide safety operations by:
- Developing, reviewing, and updating risk assessments and job hazard analyses (JHAs).
- Leading injury reduction initiatives and tracking safety performance metrics across the fleet.
- Coordinating the shore and ship emergency organization, including drills and tabletop exercises.
- Leading safety investigations and root cause analyses in partnership with the Director.
Security (ISPS) Management
Partners with the Director (CSO) on security-related responsibilities, including:
- Maintaining ship security plans, vessel security records, and associated documentation required under the ISPS Code.
- Coordinating security drills and exercises and managing documentation of security incidents as required.
Public Health Program Management
Manages coordination of the Public Health program as needed, including:
- Tracking communicable and infectious illness reports, coordinating public health-related communications, and ensuring compliance with CDC Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) and other applicable public health requirements.
Committee & Meeting Leadership
Leads preparation of materials for Shore Safety, Health, and Environmental committee meetings, including:
- Compiling incident statistics, regulatory updates, audit summaries, and action item tracking.
- Recording meeting minutes and driving follow-up on assigned action items.
Qualifications
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and projects simultaneously.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into clear operational guidance.
- High attention to detail and accuracy in managing compliance records, regulatory filings, and audit documentation.
- Ability to build effective working relationships across departments and with shipboard personnel in a diverse, international environment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and document management tools.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced operational environment and respond to emerging compliance or safety issues.
- Must possess current travel documents for international travel and be available for on-call support as required.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science/Engineering, Marine Engineering/Naval Architecture, Marine Operations, or a related field.
- Experience in maritime safety, environmental compliance, or regulatory affairs within the cruise or commercial shipping industry.
- Familiarity with ISM Code, ISPS Code, MARPOL, SOLAS, and associated maritime regulations.
- Experience with document management systems, SMS platforms, or compliance tracking software.
- Experience managing maritime audits (ISM/ISPS/environmental) and corrective action processes.
Benefits:
For full-time employees, Windstar offers a comprehensive benefits package including: Medical, Dental & Vision; HSA & FSA; Life & Disability; Accident, Hospital & Critical Illness; Pet Insurance; Vacation, Sick Time and paid Holidays; 401(k) with Company Match; Employee Assistance Plan; Education Assistance and Employee Discounts & Travel Deals.
EEO:
Windstar is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.