Manager, Youth Operations

Manager of Youth Operations is responsible for the comprehensive management and safe operation of onboard Youth Programs across the US and Australia fleet of 29 ships carrying over 1 million youth annually, leading 650+ team members. This role drives the vision, execution, and operational efficiency for Turtles, Camp Ocean, Circle “C,” and Club O2. The Manager is accountable to ensure youth safety and compliance by defining and executing policies and procedures, training curriculums, and audits.

The Manager oversees revenue, operational technology, and guest communications ensuring alignment with business goals and industry standards.

The Manager leads teams to achieve operational excellence by assuring policy compliance, resource optimalization, financial performance and safety protocols. The role focuses on delivering seamless Youth Programs experiences, implementing improvements based on data‑driven insights, and fostering collaboration across key departments. It provides strategic leadership for the shipboard teams, including Youth Programs Directors, Youth Programs Supervisors, Camp Counselors, Animators, Teen Leaders, and Fleet Supervisors and manages the promotion process.

With a commitment to talent development, operational excellence, and technology efficiencies, the Manager ensures consistent, safe and cost‑effective youth and family experiences, while driving guest satisfaction and team performance. Key areas of oversight include policy and procedure adherence, training curriculums, safety protocols, shipboard team development, revenue, and guest conflict resolution.

Program, Operations & Innovation:

Programming and Operations: Lead development and daily operations for onboard Youth Programs (Turtles, Camp Ocean, Circle 'C', and Club O2), ensuring adherence to department standards, policies, and procedures. Support programming and partnership activations that enhance guest experience and align with company goals. Oversee team scheduling, leader development and promotion plan. Resolve escalated guest issues.

Youth Safety: Oversee the implementation and management of training curriculums, including Youth Staff Academy, to ensure staff are fully prepared to cultivate a safe and welcoming environment for children, teens and families.

Guest Technology: Develop guest technology for Youth Programs to enhance efficiency, compliance, child safety, and guest experience. Utilize technology to help manage guest flow, revenue transactions, compliance requirements, and required reporting.

Fee‑based Experiences: Build and enhance revenue streams, increase current revenue, and minimize costs to deliver greater profitability year over year for the department, including initiatives like Night Owls, rentals, arts & crafts and Build‑A‑Bear Workshop. Implement effective cost control measures while maintaining the quality of entertainment offerings.

Guest Communication: Oversee guest and crew communication channels such as Hub App, Scala, website, and printed materials tied to Youth Programs.

Quality Assurance: Ensure quality control and operational excellence across all youth and family operations, providing ongoing evaluation to ensure a consistent and premium guest experience.

Team Leadership & Development:

Fleet Leadership: Lead and mentor Fleet Supervisors to maintain and optimize standard operating procedures, daily functions, entertainment programming, operations, and supply guidelines.

Shipboard Leadership: Manage the shipboard team of Youth Programs Directors and Supervisors, providing leadership, guidance, and training to ensure they are knowledgeable and strategic leaders. Inspire and motivate shipboard and shoreside teams by setting clear expectations, recognizing achievements, and fostering a culture of excellence. Lead by example to create an environment where team members feel valued and empowered to contribute to innovative and high‑quality guest experiences.

Cultural Essentials: Promote Carnival’s expected behaviors, such as speaking up, respecting and protecting, improving, communicating, listening and learning, and empowering. Encourage team members to share their insights,…