Manager, Talent and Performances

Holland America Line has been exploring the world since 1873. Our ships offer innovative features and enriching experiences focused on destination exploration and personalized travel, inviting guests to savor the journey. 

We are looking for a Manager, Talent and Performance.  The Manager, Talent and Performances plays a critical leadership role in delivering exceptional onboard entertainment experiences across the fleet. This position oversees a team of professionals responsible for coordinating Resident and Guest Entertainers and ensuring their work aligns with artistic standards, operational needs, and the company's entertainment strategy. The manager builds and maintains strong relationships with casting agencies, talent representatives, and creative production partners to secure top-tier performers who reflect Holland America Line's brand expectations. They adapt departmental plans to a dynamic fleet deployment environment, balancing creativity with budget, staffing, and operational constraints. Guided by established policies, procedures, and business plans, the manager exercises sound judgment while receiving direction from senior leadership for higher‑level decisions. They provide technical and artistic guidance to internal staff, external agencies, and shipboard leaders to ensure performance quality and program consistency. The role includes monitoring auditions, casting cycles, rehearsals, and live shipboard performances to verify alignment with performance standards and guest‑experience goals. The manager is accountable for the results of a small, specialized team, setting clear performance objectives, evaluating work quality, and recommending pay and development actions. Ultimately, the Manager, Talent and Performances ensures the entertainment product remains operationally sound, creatively compelling, and reflective of the company's premium guest experience.

Here's a summary of what Holland America Line is looking for.  Is this you? 

Responsibilities:

• Talent & Partner Management:  The Manager, Talent and Performances leads collaboration with third‑party casting agencies and production partners to ensure all entertainers consistently meet the company's artistic and operational expectations. They set clear team standards and ensure internal staff and external partners execute work aligned with performance, quality, and compliance requirements. The manager reviews entertainer performance trends and uses structured data to recommend improvements to agencies and internal stakeholders. They promptly escalate and resolve concerns related to entertainer readiness, professionalism, or contract performance. As fleet needs evolve, the manager adapts talent sourcing strategies and strengthens partnerships to support long‑term program stability and diversity. They provide technical guidance to team members managing casting logistics and agency deliverables, ensuring operational accuracy and timeliness. The manager formally evaluates partner performance and drives continuous improvement through documented feedback. They ensure compliance with essential procedures—including onboarding, credentialing, and documentation—across all talent‑related operations. This accountability area reinforces the manager's responsibility for both team and partner performance.

• Strategic Planning, Financial & Logistics:  The Manager, Talent and Performances collaborates on high‑level entertainment deployment planning to match talent needs with the fleet's complex operational schedule. They direct the team in applying budget assumptions, talent mix strategies, and resource planning aligned with departmental goals. The manager contributes to forecasting entertainer costs, managed‑service expenses, and travel budgets, ensuring projections reflect financial discipline and operational reality. They coordinate with agencies and vendors to secure rehearsal space, housing, and land‑based logistics required for efficient program delivery. As deployment changes arise, the manager adjusts plans to maintain operational continuity while adhering to policy, budget, and scheduling guidelines. They guide team members through logistical conflict resolution, cost tracking, and data accuracy across scheduling systems and contract tools. Close coordination with Finance and senior leadership ensures budget alignment throughout the year. The manager enforces essential procedures such as invoice review, contract compliance, and documentation accuracy. This accountability ensures resource stewardship and operational precision across entertainment logistics.

• Performer Experience Oversight:  The Manager, Talent and Performances provides oversight and direction for the full performer lifecycle, including auditions, casting processes, rehearsals, and shipboard onboarding. They ensure each stage is executed in alignment with departmental strategy, leadership expectations, and brand standards. Through proactive visibility into rehearsal environments and shipboard operations, the manager confirms that performer readiness meets artistic, safety, and operational benchmarks. They identify gaps affecting performer experience and adapt plans to enhance efficiency and support. The manager collaborates with senior leadership to maintain consistent messaging and expectations throughout the performer journey. They ensure compliance with required procedures across documentation, communication, rehearsal protocols, and shipboard onboarding workflows. The manager supports team members in addressing performer concerns and operational obstacles as they arise. They maintain structured documentation to support planning, quality improvements, and process compliance. This accountability ensures a smooth and high‑quality experience for entertainers across the fleet.

• Performance Evaluation & Feedback:  The Manager, Talent and Performances leads the evaluation of entertainment programming to ensure that every onboard performance meets artistic standards and supports the guest‑experience vision. They analyze performance reports, guest feedback, and onboard observations to guide ongoing program improvement. Working closely with senior leadership, the manager delivers structured feedback to agencies, performers, and internal staff to drive consistency and excellence. They ensure evaluation methods follow standardized criteria and align with the entertainment strategic direction. The manager adjusts review priorities and timelines based on deployment changes, operational needs, or program updates. They coach team members on effective evaluation practices and communication of improvement plans. Documentation of performance trends is maintained accurately to support planning, compliance, and long‑term quality development. The manager identifies systemic issues and recommends operational or artistic refinements. This accountability ensures fleetwide artistic consistency and a reliable, high‑quality entertainment experience.

• Operational Problem Solving:  The manager leads the team in navigating operational challenges such as scheduling disruptions, performance modifications, and urgent personnel issues. They use established policies and business plans to guide decision‑making while escalating complex matters to senior leadership as needed. The manager ensures essential procedures are followed when addressing contract concerns, compliance issues, safety considerations, or disciplinary actions. They coordinate across shipboard teams, agencies, and internal departments to resolve time‑sensitive problems without compromising guest experience or operational continuity. The manager adapts departmental plans to mitigate risks associated with changes in deployment, resource availability, or performer readiness. They provide technical and operational guidance to team members responsible for day‑to‑day issue management. The manager maintains accurate documentation of decisions and outcomes to support compliance, trend analysis, and continuous improvement. They ensure the team understands escalation pathways and adheres to communication standards. This accountability ensures rapid, consistent, and policy‑aligned problem solving across entertainment operations.

• Performs other duties as assigned that may include, but are not limited to: exploring the in-sourcing of entertainers, the occasional direct-booking of Guest Entertainers and supplemental staff, monitoring the World Stage evening schedule and providing consultation to the shipboard leadership and department's Programming team, etc.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Scope:  The Manager, Talent and Performances oversees a team of professional employees responsible for delivering consistent, high‑quality entertainment across the fleet. They manage the full lifecycle of Guest and Resident Entertainers, ensuring that casting, rehearsals, onboarding, and shipboard execution meet artistic, operational, and financial expectations. The manager adapts departmental plans and resource priorities in response to performer availability, deployment changes, and evolving operational demands. Decisions are guided by established policies, procedures, and the overall entertainment business plan, with escalations made to senior leadership as needed. They ensure team standards are well‑defined, essential procedures are followed, and work outputs meet required performance measures. The manager provides technical and artistic guidance to staff, partners, and shipboard colleagues to maintain program consistency. This role drives continuity, readiness, and reliability across the entertainment operation.

• Problem solving:  The Manager, Talent and Performances resolves complex, time‑sensitive issues by applying structured decision‑making guided by departmental policies and operational constraints. They evaluate challenges such as scheduling disruptions, performer readiness concerns, and production changes, adapting plans to maintain continuity and protect guest experience. The manager works across teams to address logistical, compliance, and creative obstacles, ensuring solutions align with established procedures and business priorities. They provide clear direction to employees navigating operational pressure, reinforcing consistent standards and escalation pathways. With strong coordination and analytical skills, they balance artistic expectations with resource limitations and safety requirements. Their ability to anticipate potential issues allows them to minimize disruption and support seamless execution. This approach ensures stable entertainment delivery across a dynamic operational environment.

• Impact:  The Manager, Talent and Performances strengthens entertainment operations by ensuring their team consistently delivers results that meet quality, compliance, and financial standards. They build effective working relationships with talent agencies, performers, internal partners, and shipboard teams to enhance coordination and reduce friction points. The manager uses technical expertise in casting, budgeting, and operational systems to streamline workflows and optimize resource utilization. They hold their team accountable for following essential procedures, maintaining accurate documentation, and adhering to safety and compliance expectations, including HESS Golden Rules. Their active participation in required training reinforces operational readiness and risk awareness. Through careful oversight and continuous improvement efforts, the manager elevates both performance quality and operational efficiency. Their leadership ensures a dependable and high‑impact entertainment experience fleetwide.

• Leadership:  The Manager, Talent and Performances leads a small professional team by setting clear performance objectives, providing ongoing coaching, and conducting formal performance evaluations. They model adherence to policies, safety standards, and operational procedures, reinforcing expectations across the team and partner network. The manager encourages open communication, incident reporting, and proactive identification of risks, strengthening the culture of safety and accountability. They provide technical guidance to employees and colleagues, supporting consistent execution across casting, rehearsal, and onboard performance activities. Participation in HESS programs—such as Heroes of Safe & Well—demonstrates their commitment to wellbeing and operational responsibility. They make personnel recommendations, contribute to development planning, and maintain fairness in pay and performance decisions. Through steady, informed leadership, they cultivate a collaborative, high‑performing team environment.

Requirements 

• Education: Bachelor's degree required (or equivalent experience). Preferred areas include Arts Administration, Entertainment Management, Performing Arts, Business Management, or Technical Theatre.

• Certifications: Project or Production Management certifications are an asset.

• Experience: 4–7 years of relevant experience in entertainment operations, talent management, or company management.

• Skills: Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. Proficiency in casting systems, budgeting tools, and scheduling software.

• Deep understanding of casting, rehearsal, and studio operations.

• Experience managing entertainment budgets and resource planning.

• Familiarity with performance evaluation and feedback processes.

• Proven success resolving complex talent and logistical issues across international environments.

Travel:  25-50% with shipboard travel likely

Work Conditions: Work primarily in a climate-controlled environment with minimal safety/health hazard potential.

Physical Demands: Must be able to remain in a stationary position at a desk and/or computer for extended periods of time.

This position is classified as "in-office."  As an in-office role, it requires employees to work from a designated Holland office Tuesday through Thursday each week. Employees may work from their homes on Mondays and Fridays. 

Holland provides comprehensive and innovative benefits to meet your needs, including:

What You Can Expect  

• Cruise and Travel Privileges for You and Your Family 
• Health Benefits 
• 401(k)  
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan  
• Training & Professional Development 
• Tuition & Professional Certification Reimbursement 
• Base Salary Range: $83,300to $112,500. The range is applicable for the labor market where the role is intended to be hired. Final base salary is directly related to each candidates' qualifications and experience uniquely. 

Our Culture…Stronger Together 

Our highest responsibility and top priority is compliance, environmental protection and the health, safety and well-being of our guests, the people in the communities we touch and serve, and our shipboard and shoreside employees.  Please visit our site to learn more about our Culture Essentials, Corporate Vision Statement and our Core Values at:  
 
Holland America is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. 

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)  

Holland America will provide reasonable accommodations with the application process, upon your request, as required to comply with applicable laws.  If you have a disability and require assistance in this application process, please contact  
 

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