Melissa Cohen

Operations and recruitment professional at an international cruise ship recruitment agency, with experience in project management, recruitment pipeline coordination, candidate documentation and onboarding. Currently manage recruitment operations and project manage multiple high-end client accounts concurrently, from the initial client brief through to onboarding. Experienced in validating and checking candidate documents, taking candidates through the documentation process and keeping records of this information, conducting interviews and managing the full recruitment cycle from start to finish, and liaising with clients.

Also experienced in running large-scale recruitment events, working with ATS and tracking sheets, and using AI tools for drafting and organising information. Lead a team that has grown to approximately 18 staff.

Operations & Recruitment Manager - Crew Life At Sea - Cape Town, South Africa

(2024-10)

International cruise ship recruitment agency supporting some of the world's largest cruise lines

• Manage day-to-day operations of the agency, including team scheduling, workload allocation and operational planning. The team has grown to approximately 18 staff at its largest.
• Project manage multiple high-end client accounts at once, handling each requisition from the initial client brief to onboarding: agreeing requirements, sourcing, screening and interviewing candidates, submitting qualified candidates to the client, coordinating client interviews and managing onboarding and deployment preparation.
• Validate and check all candidate documents, including visas: guide candidates through obtaining and submitting each document, record and track document information and report any issues to the client.
• Learn each client's applicant tracking system, assist candidates with their applications and upload candidate information and documents to client systems and our own.
• Maintain tracking sheets for candidate pipelines, shortlists, interview schedules and employee progress in Manatal, Smartsheet, Google Sheets and Excel.
• Coordinate candidate interviews with clients, record client feedback and update tracking sheets with outcomes.
• Communicate directly with international clients about requirements, urgent requisitions, timelines and candidate needs.
• Plan and run recruitment events, including candidate scheduling and logistics. For large-scale events, source and recruit hundreds of candidates and track their information and documents through onboarding.
• Prioritise urgent requisitions and allocate work across the team, monitoring performance against targets and quality standards.
• Use AI tools to draft correspondence, job descriptions and interview questions, and to organise information, with attention to confidentiality and review of output.
• Recruit and train new office staff.
• Prepare contracts for internal staff and complete crew contracts where authorised. Handle employee relations and performance matters.
• Remain hands-on in recruitment, personally handling the most high-end positions.

Head Recruiter - Crew Life At Sea - Cape Town, South Africa

(2024-02 - 2024-10)

• Coordinated recruitment operations and supported recruitment teams to meet placement targets for international cruise clients.
• Began project managing requisitions for some of our top clients alongside this role, handling each from sourcing and interviews through to selection and onboarding.
• Ran recruitment events.
• Trained and supported team members and monitored performance against objectives.

Recruiter - Crew Life At Sea - Cape Town, South Africa

(2023-08 - 2024-02)

• Managed the complete recruitment lifecycle for cruise ship candidates, from sourcing and screening to interviews and onboarding.
• Built and maintained candidate pipelines and records across recruitment platforms, databases, referrals and social media.
• Assisted candidates with documentation, compliance and deployment preparation.

Assistant Recruiter - Crew Life At Sea - Cape Town, South Africa

(2023-06 - 2023-08)

• Supported the recruitment team with sourcing, screening, administration and onboarding.
• Coordinated interviews, reviewed applications and maintained accurate candidate records.

Social Media Intern - Crew Life At Sea - Cape Town, South Africa

(2023-04 - 2023-06)

• Created and managed content for company social media platforms, building brand awareness and establishing social media as a recruitment lead-generation channel.

Founder & Designer - BohoBella

• Founded and ran an online fashion business as sole designer of a leather accessories collection. Managed product design, sourcing, sales and customer engagement.

English Teacher - Teach Abroad - Thailand & Vietnam

• Taught English as a second language for two years in Thailand and Vietnam.

Mascot Designer - Theatreland

• Designed and built mascots for a range of companies, translating 2D concepts into 3D designs. Delivered repeat-commissioned work, with several designs featured in television appearances.

Production Assistant - Film Industry

• Worked on productions including the TV series Black Sails, along with various films, music videos and series.

Advanced Diploma in Production Design, with distinctions - Production Design - City Varsity (2010 - 2013)

Motion Picture Makeup - Motion Picture Makeup (2010 - 2010)