AVP, Finance Operations & Administration

The AVP, Finance Operations & Administration is a key member of the Finance leadership team and serves as the strategic and operational leader for payroll, fleet finance operations, and administrative services across shipboard and shoreside environments. This role oversees large-scale, complex financial processes that support global crew populations, ensure end-to-end payroll accuracy, maintain compliance across multiple jurisdictions, and enable efficient financial operations throughout the fleet. This role is responsible for managing and overseeing payroll operations, both Shoreside and Shipboard, to ensure all personnel receive their compensation and benefits accurately and on time. This role will oversee all payroll functions for Carnival’s shoreside employees (CCL and Corp) as well as shipboard team members - ensuring accurate payments, taxation, and personnel data.  This role provides leadership, direction, administration, and prioritization for all services within Payroll and provides reporting to afford financial transparency.

Essential Functions:

• Responsible for creating and driving the strategic direction and operations of the system-wide payroll function for the organization. Implement efficient payroll processes to ensure timely payment to shoreside and crew members. Ensuring compliance with all relevant labor laws and regulations. Develop and execute a comprehensive strategy for payroll, finance operations, and administrative services across shipboard and shoreside functions.

• Leads functional areas including Fleet Finance, payroll operations, payroll /time and attendance systems, payroll tax, payroll project management, reporting & analytics, communications and compliance, audit & controls. Oversee financial operations supporting shipboard activities, including onboard revenue, expense management, cash handling, provisioning, and port-related financial transactions.  Establish and enforce standardized financial procedures across the fleet to ensure accuracy, accountability, and operational excellence.

• Provides strategic direction and oversees the payroll, time and attendance, and payroll compliance operating models within the context of a rapidly growing healthcare organization, including the development of system-wide policies, processes and internal controls. Manage the Fleet Finance team responsible for financials onboard and collaborate closely with operations.

• Partners with senior leadership in operations, finance, legal and IT in developing, updating and implementation of system-wide policies and procedures to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the payroll process as well as in implementing strategic objective. Leads the development and oversight of key project plans to increase automation, consistency, accuracy and integrity of payroll systems and operations

• Ensuring compliance with international and regional labor laws. Preparing reports for senior management and regulatory agencies as necessary. Developing and updating company policies related to crew payroll and benefits. Staying informed about industry best practices and regulatory changes.

• Managing relationships with payroll service providers and benefits administrators. Negotiating contracts and agreements to ensure cost-effective services.

• Coach, mentor and provide leadership development to team members in order to optimize operational excellence and create a deeper bench of experienced talent

• Building and leading a skilled team of professionals in the payroll and crew benefits department. Providing guidance, mentoring, and performance evaluations for staff.

• Maintain all compliancy requirements of HR transactional processes and fulfil all ad hoc requests for data and analysis.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Monitoring Expenses, Manage Shipboard personnel & activities/processes, Manage Shipboard activity and/or process only,  Collaborate with both Shoreside and Shipboard

• Excellent leadership, communication, and negotiation skills. Ability to work collaboratively with multiple departments and external partners.  Highly organized, detail-oriented, and skilled in financial management. Proficient in Microsoft Office Products (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Visio). Forward-thinking, process-driven, and adept at building scalable solutions. Strong organizational agility and ability to lead through change.  Commitment to employee experience and professional development

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in payroll, finance operations, or similar fields; experience in hospitality, cruise, maritime, or large global organizations highly preferred. Executive-level leadership, communication, and stakeholder management.

• Deep knowledge of global payroll operations, taxation, labor regulations, and maritime compliance.

• Strong analytical and financial acumen with experience managing large budgets and complex operational structures.

• Strategic thinker with the ability to lead transformation, drive efficiencies, and inspire high-performing teams.

• High level of integrity and commitment to operational accuracy, compliance, and service excellence.

• Demonstrated experience leading multinational payroll operations and complex financial processes across multiple countries.

• Proven background implementing financial systems, payroll technologies, or enterprise-wide process improvements.

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

Travel:  Less than 25% with shipboard travel likely

Work Conditions: Work beyond normal business hours or on weekends may be required occasionally to support business needs, projects, or operations.

This position is classified as “in-office.”  As an in-office role, it requires employees to work from a designated Carnival office in South Florida Tuesday through Thursday each week. Employees may work from their homes on Mondays and Fridays.  Candidates must be located in (or willing to relocate to) the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area. 

Offers to selected candidates will be made on a fair and equitable basis, taking into account specific job-related skills and experience.   

At Carnival, your total rewards package is much more than your base salary. All non-sales roles participate in an annual cash bonus program, while sales roles have an incentive plan. Director and above roles may also be eligible to participate in Carnival’s discretionary equity incentive plan. Plus, Carnival provides comprehensive and innovative benefits to meet your needs, including: 

• Health Benefits: 
  • Cost-effective medical, dental and vision plans 
  • Employee Assistance Program and other mental health resources 
  • Additional programs include company paid term life insurance and disability coverage  
• Financial Benefits: 
  • 401(k) plan that includes a company match 
  • Employee Stock Purchase plan 
• Paid Time Off 
  • Holidays – All full-time and part-time with benefits employees receive days off for 8 company-wide holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays to be taken at the employee’s discretion.  
  • Vacation Time – All full-time employees at the manager and below level start with 14 days/year; director and above level start with 19 days/year.  Part-time with benefits employees receive time off based on the number of hours they work, with a minimum of 84 hours/year.  All employees gain additional vacation time with further tenure. 
  • Sick Time – All full-time employees receive 80 hours of sick time each year.  Part-time with benefits employees receive time off based on the number of hours they work, with a minimum of 60 hours each year.   
• Other Benefits 
  • Complementary stand-by cruises, employee discounts on confirmed cruises, plus special rates for family and friends 
  • Personal and professional learning and development resources including tuition reimbursement  
  • On-site Fitness center at our Miami campus 

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