Manager, Photo Operations
Job ID 11873 Date posted 11/19/2025 City Miami State FL Country United States Job Type Full TimeJob Description
Holland America Line (HAL) 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’re looking for an experienced Manager, Photo Operations to fill this critical role based in our Miami office. You’ll be responsible for leading strategic and operational initiatives that enhance guest experience and drive revenue across shipboard and shoreside photo environments. This role involves strategic management and oversight of pre-cruise sales programs, retail product development, inventory forecasting, procurement logistics, and reporting enhancements. You’ll work closely with the Director of Onboard Revenue – Photo, senior leaders and the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), as well as cross-functional teams in analytics, human resources, procurement, and shipboard operations to ensure alignment and execution of business priorities. The incumbent will be the primary conduit between the corporate photo department and the onboard teams and will be a true subject matter expert in all areas of the onboard photography business. This role will also have significant involvement in driving product and service innovations and technology to keep pace with guest expectations and the overall photography marketplace. It also supports crew planning and training for approximately 60 shipboard photo team members, ensuring optimal staffing, performance, and alignment across the fleet. The responsibilities of this role have direct impact in onboard operations primarily in the Photo Department but also across associated departments in Onboard Revenue and Hotel Operations on all Holland America Line and Seabourn ships. Additionally, there is significant daily interaction with multiple departments in the corporate/shoreside operation, such as Marine, Technical, Procurement, Finance, Staffing, Learning and Development, Talent Acquisition etc. as well as frequent involvement with various third party vendors and contractors.
Here’s a summary of what Holland America Line is looking for in its Manager, Photo Operations. Is this you?
Responsibilities
Revenue Strategy & Pre-Cruise Sales
The manager, Photo Operations leads the strategic development and execution of HAL’s pre-cruise photo sales initiatives, which represent a significant revenue stream to the organization. This includes ideating new offerings, managing pricing strategies, and aligning with marketing to ensure visibility and conversion through HAL systems. The role owns the full lifecycle of these initiatives—from concept to deployment—and is accountable for continuous enhancement based on guest feedback and performance data and analytics. With an significant financial impact, this area requires an expert level understanding of consumer behavior, seasonal trends, and competitive positioning. The manager collaborates with analytics and commercial teams to forecast demand and refine offerings that elevate guest experience while maximizing profitability. Success in this area depends on balancing innovation with operational feasibility, ensuring that new products are both desirable and executable across the fleet. The role also supports cross-functional alignment to ensure smooth integration with onboard execution and shoreside systems. As the subject matter expert, the manager drives strategic decisions that shape the future of HAL’s photo retail experience. This accountability area is central to the department’s revenue growth and guest engagement strategy.
Retail Product Development & Lifecycle Management
This accountability area focuses on the end-to-end management of photo and related retail products, including seasonal merchandise such as ornaments, albums, and magnets. The manager oversees product ideation, vendor selection, pricing, and forecasting, ensuring alignment with brand standards and guest expectations. This portfolio requires strategic planning and market awareness to maintain freshness and relevance. The role leads vendor negotiations and supply chain coordination, ensuring timely delivery and product availability across the fleet. Lifecycle management includes monitoring product performance, managing distressed inventory, and making data-driven decisions on reorders and retirements. The manager works closely with procurement and logistics teams to navigate global complexities such as tariffs and shipping timelines. Forecasting is done 6–12 months in advance to support strategic and proactive planning and cost control. This area also supports innovation by identifying new product opportunities and collaborating with vendors to develop exclusive lines. The manager ensures that retail offerings contribute meaningfully to both revenue and guest satisfaction.
Inventory Strategy & Procurement Logistics
The manager owns Holland America Line’s shoreside inventory strategy for photo operations, managing a portfolio of consumables, photo paper, chemistry, and retail stock. This includes forecasting, purchasing, and depletion planning to maintain optimal stock levels and avoid overages or shortages. The role is hands-on with procurement logistics, working closely with vendors and internal partners to ensure timely delivery and emergency fulfillment. Inventory decisions are based on historical data, seasonal trends, and operational needs, with a focus on cost efficiency and business continuity. The manager will manage and monitor aging stock and implements strategies to manage distressed inventory, including discounting and sell-through campaigns. This area also includes leadership and decision making for vessel visits and urgent logistics, ensuring uninterrupted operations across the fleet. Strategic alignment with organizational priorities is key, as inventory management directly impacts cost savings and operational readiness. The role requires strong analytical skills and the ability to manage complexity across multiple touchpoints. By owning this process, the manager ensures that HAL’s photo operations remain agile, efficient, and financially sound.
Leading with Analytics & Business Intelligence
This area centers on leveraging data to drive strategic decisions across photo operations. The manager partners with analytics teams to develop reporting tools that measure performance, forecast demand, and identify opportunities for improvement. Key metrics include total captures vs. images sold, event productivity, and seasonal trends, which inform product development and team deployment. The role supports the creation of new reporting frameworks and ensures data accuracy and usability for stakeholders. Insights from analytics are used to optimize staffing, refine offerings, and improve guest experience. The manager also collaborates on performance tracking for shipboard photographers, helping identify top performers and areas for development. This data-driven approach supports long-term planning and continuous improvement across the department and organization. The role requires advanced proficiency in Excel and a strong understanding of business intelligence tools. By integrating analytics into daily operations, the manager enhances decision-making and drives strategic outcomes.
Team Planning, Training & Operational Oversight
The manager supports crew planning and training for approximately 60 seasonal photo team members, including photo managers, lab technicians, and photographers. Staffing varies by season and region, with Alaska representing 70% of HAL’s photo business. The role works closely with HR and crew planning to ensure that top performers are placed on high-performing ships, leveraging analytics to guide deployment. Responsibilities include onboarding, visa coordination, with rank rotations in mind. The manager also drives training initiatives, ensuring that team members are equipped to deliver premium services such as HAL’s Signature Studio. Operational oversight includes managing urgent logistics, refining Standard Operating Procedures, and ensuring consistency across shipboard and shoreside environments. This area is critical to maintaining service quality and operational efficiency. The role fosters collaboration across teams and ensures that staffing aligns with business needs and guest expectations. By owning this function, the manager is a leader and driver of both team performance and overall departmental and organizational success.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in business, hospitality, retail management, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
Minimum of 8 years of experience in retail operations within the hospitality or cruise industry, with demonstrated success in revenue generation and guest-facing program development.
7+ years’ experience in Cruise Line Management roles with emphasis on Photo or Onboard Revenue.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, with strong working knowledge of PowerPoint and Word.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills suitable for cross-functional collaboration and leadership reporting.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally to support shipboard operations and vendor coordination.
Proven track record of managing revenue generating businesses.
Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex projects independently across both shoreside and shipboard environments.
Hands-on experience managing inventory strategy and procurement logistics, including vendor relationships and global supply chain coordination.
Background in developing and executing product lifecycle strategies, including forecasting, pricing, merchandising, and distressed inventory management.
Experience in operational planning and developing Standard Operating Procedures to support consistency and efficiency across distributed teams.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a track record of using data to inform decisions and drive performance improvements.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while maintaining attention to detail.
Skilled in stakeholder engagement and team leadership, with experience managing seasonal or rotational staff and aligning talent with business performance.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Holland America is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time (e.g., H-1B status).
Please note that this is a hybrid position based in Miami, FL. Candidates must be comfortable coming into the office 3 days/week (Tuesday-Thursday).
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
Rewards & Incentives
Base Salary Range: $89,600.00-$121,000.00. 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: https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/our-company/mission-values.html
Holland America Line 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 Line 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 recruiting@hollandamericagroup.com.
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