What are the responsibilities and job description for the Program Specialist position at Hornblower Group?
Summary:
The HR Program Specialist is a junior position within our Corporate Human Resources Department who supports the coordination, and administration of HR programs and initiatives across Hornblower Group’s diverse portfolio of maritime hospitality and transportation operations. This role serves as a key contributor to talent and organizational effectiveness functions including performance management, learning & development, compliance training, and employee engagement, helping ensure consistency and quality across all business segments.
Responsibilities:
Performance Management
- Support the administration of performance review cycles, including goal-setting, mid-year check-ins, and annual reviews in Dayforce
- Maintain and update performance management documentation, forms, and process guides
- Assist in tracking completion rates and following up with managers on outstanding reviews
- Help coordinate pilot programs and cross-functional cohorts for new HR initiatives
Learning & Development
- Support the development, scheduling, and logistics of learning programs, workshops, and training sessions
- Assist in updating learning content, slide decks, facilitator guides, and participant materials
- Track course completions, generate training reports, and maintain learner records in the LMS
- Build and manage tracking spreadsheets and dashboards (Excel/Dayforce) to monitor renewal status and identify overdue completions
- Coordinate with managers to ensure timely completion of mandatory training and follow up on gap
HR Communications & Projects
- Support project coordination for HR initiatives, tracking milestones and deliverables
- Assist in reporting on our employee recognition and reward program
- Assist in the creation of toolkits, job aids, and resources for managers and employees
- Contribute to competency framework development and other strategic talent projects as assigned
Qualifications:
Required
- Bachelor's degree in human resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field
- 5 years of professional experience in HR, People Operations, or a related function (internships and co-ops considered)
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, data formatting) and PowerPoint
- Strong written communication skills; able to draft clear, professional HR content
- High attention to detail and comfort managing multiple tasks in a deadline-driven environment
- Collaborative mindset with a willingness to learn and adapt in a fast-paced, multi-site organization
Preferred
- Exposure to an HRIS or HCM platform (Dayforce experience a strong plus)
- Familiarity with LMS platforms and eLearning content management
- Experience in hospitality, maritime, transportation, or multi-location service industries
- Knowledge of DOT compliance requirements or other regulated training environments
- Basic understanding of adult learning principles or instructional design