Legal & Compliance Officer (VAC-A3068)

Job description

Our client is an international shipping company in the river cruise industry in Limassol. They are now looking to employ a highly motivated Legal & Compliance Officer. The Legal & Compliance Officer will play a key role in ensuring that the crew’s operations comply with employment laws and regulations across multiple countries, including France, Portugal, Switzerland, and Cyprus. This role focuses on overseeing compliance with crew employment restrictions and industry-specific legal requirements. The Legal & Compliance Officer will work closely with the Head of Crew HR, collaborate with HR teams, operational representatives from the hotel and nautical departments, and external legal advisors as necessary to ensure the company’s compliance with regional regulations impacting river cruise operations.

Job Duties

1. Employment Law Compliance

Ensure that HR operations for river crew comply with relevant employment laws, regulations, and crew restrictions in each operating country (France, Portugal, Switzerland, Cyprus).

Regularly review and update internal policies to reflect legal changes, ensuring all crew operations meet the current regulatory standards for each jurisdiction.

2. Legal Advisory for River Crew Operations

Advise HR teams and work closely with the Head of Crew HR on legal aspects of crew management, including contracts, working conditions, overtime policies, and leave entitlements.

Act as a legal point of contact for crew-related matters, offering guidance on contractual obligations and workforce regulations.

Collaborate with representatives from the hotel and nautical departments to address operational compliance issues related to crew management.

3. Collaboration with External Legal Partners

Engage with external legal advisors in different countries to verify compliance and obtain local legal insights when required.

Coordinate with local lawyers to address complex legal situations and navigate regional regulations related to river cruises.

4. Policy Development & Implementation

Develop, implement, and monitor compliance policies specific to the river cruise industry, covering areas such as health and safety, labor laws, and workplace standards.

Provide guidance to HR, operational teams, and hotel and nautical department representatives on policy application, ensuring all teams understand and adhere to compliance guidelines.

5. Monitoring & Reporting

Establish a system for tracking compliance with working hours, rest periods, and legal restrictions for river crew.

Prepare reports for the Scylla Group Board on compliance status, legal challenges, and any potential risks or improvements needed in HR operations.

6. Risk Management & Audit Support

Identify legal risks associated with crew operations and develop strategies to mitigate these risks.

Assist with internal and external audits related to HR compliance and legal matters.

7. Training & Communication

Educate HR teams, the Head of Crew HR, and other stakeholders, including hotel and nautical department representatives, on compliance requirements, legal updates, and best practices for employment law compliance.

Foster an organizational culture of compliance, ensuring that all departments understand the importance of legal adherence in their operations.

Job Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Law; specialization in Employment Law or Maritime Law is an advantage.

Minimum of 5 years of experience in legal and compliance roles, preferably within the maritime or hospitality industries.

Strong knowledge of employment laws and labor regulations across multiple European countries (France, Portugal, Switzerland, Cyprus).

Experience working with international legal teams or engaging external legal advisors across jurisdictions.

Fluency in English; proficiency in other European languages (e.g. Dutch) is an advantage.

Willingness to travel as necessary to coordinate with external legal teams or oversee compliance projects.

Legal Acumen: In-depth understanding of employment and compliance regulations related to crew operations in the river cruise industry.

Attention to Detail: High accuracy in assessing compliance risks and developing legally sound policies.

Communication Skills: Ability to convey complex legal information clearly to HR teams and other non-legal stakeholders.

Problem-Solving: Proactive approach in identifying legal risks and proposing practical solutions.

Collaboration: Skilled in working with cross-functional teams, the Head of Crew HR, and external legal partners to ensure compliance across various jurisdictions.

Working hours:

The working hours are from Monday to Friday from 9:00am - 17.30 pm with 30 minutes lunch (hybrid working is possible)

TO APPLY for this job opportunity, send your CV (in English please) and include the reference: Legal & Compliance Officer - VAC-A3068. We look forward to hearing from you!