Lead Talent Acquisition Specialist – Culinary Operations
The Lead Talent Acquisition Specialist will provide day-to-day leadership and oversight of culinary recruiting across the fleet. This role will connect the Culinary TA team with TA Managers and Culinary/Operations leadership to align hiring priorities and staffing needs.
The Lead will monitor recruiting activity and interview volume, identify staffing gaps, assign priorities, and ensure the team stays on track to meet weekly and monthly hiring goals.
At American Cruise Lines, we are driven by our values—Optimism, Commitment, Patriotism, and Merit. These values shape our culture, our service, and our people, guiding us as we work together to Share America’s Story on the Finest American Ships.
Responsibilities
- Oversee Culinary hiring and align recruiting efforts with staffing needs and priorities.
- Partner with Culinary and Operations leadership to develop recruiting plans and hiring strategies.
- Lead weekly Culinary TA meetings, monitor team performance, and provide coaching and accountability.
- Actively recruit and interview while leading and supporting the Culinary TA team.
- Review candidate submissions and oversee the recruiting process from sourcing through offer.
- Oversee Executive Chef hiring, including candidate tracking, interviews, and cook tests.
- Maintain recruiting materials and requisitions; monitor job postings, application volume, and advertising performance.
- Build candidate pipelines through sourcing strategies, career fairs, culinary schools, and recruiting events.
- Provide TA Management with updates on hiring progress, staffing needs, and team performance.
- Use Paycor and recruiting tools to track activity and performance.
What We’re Looking For
- Proven success as a Talent Acquisition Specialist with strong recruiting and organizational skills.
- Proactive leader who can anticipate hiring needs, plan ahead, and develop effective recruiting strategies.
- Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to coach, support, and hold team members accountable.
- Results-driven and analytical, with the ability to monitor recruiting metrics and adjust strategies as needed.
- Creative, adaptable, and team-oriented with strong follow-through in a fast-paced environment.
Why Join American Cruise Lines?
At American Cruise Lines, our people are the driving force behind our success. As the nation’s leader in U.S. river cruising, we’re experiencing rapid growth — and we're investing in top talent to grow with us. When you join our team, you’ll find a dynamic work environment that values innovation, collaboration, and excellence, with real opportunities to build your career and make an impact.
Applicant Acknowledgment
By proceeding to apply for the above position, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the description of the job position for which I am applying, I agree that it accurately reflects the essential functions of the position, and I represent that I can complete the essential functions of the position.
Equal Opportunity Employer
American Cruise Lines is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants. American Cruise Lines bases all employment decisions on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications without regard to protected characteristics, including, but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin and citizenship, age (40 and over), disability (including perceived disability), generic information, military service, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all aspects of employment and employment decisions, including, but not limited to, hiring, selection, job assignment, training, compensation, promotion, discipline, termination, and access to benefits.
*This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of the duties and responsibilities of the position and such duties and responsibilities may change without notice.