Vice President of Marine Operations

Job Summary

In this pivotal role, you will oversee the safe, compliant, and efficient execution of harbor ship assist operations, including tug, escort, and related marine services. As a key driver of operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and financial performance, you will lead senior management teams, champion a culture of safety and collaboration, and serve as a prominent industry representative.

Responsibilities

• Safety, Compliance & Operational Excellence:
  • Cultivate and reinforce a culture centered on safety, environmental responsibility, and operational discipline across all fleets and ports.
    • Ensure adherence to environmental, health, safety, and regulatory standards.
    • Develop, implement, and oversee policies and systems that promote safe operations, efficiency, and risk mitigation.
    • Drive ongoing improvement initiatives through data-driven performance metrics.
  • Operational Leadership:
    • Provide oversight for multi-port marine operations, ensuring consistent standards and best practices.
    • Manage the daily operations of harbor assist fleets, maintaining operational readiness and staffing with qualified personnel.
    • Proactively identify operational challenges and lead issue resolution to optimize performance.
    • Promote adoption of best practices organization-wide.
  • Financial & Strategic Management:
    • Own and oversee the marine operations P&L with a focus on maximizing efficiency and profitability.
    • Develop and implement annual operating and capital budgets.
    • Support both short-term operational execution and long-term strategic growth initiatives.
    • Lead efforts to improve operational efficiencies through disciplined cost management and process enhancements.
    • Translate strategic goals into actionable operational plans.
  • Leadership, Talent & Labor Relations:
    • Lead, mentor, and develop senior operational leaders and vessel officers.
    • Support professional growth through coaching, performance management, and succession planning.
    • Manage labor relations strategies, including union engagement and collective bargaining processes.
    • Maintain transparent communication across all organizational levels and foster a high-performance operational culture.
  • Stakeholder Engagement:
    • Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, vendors, regulators, and industry partners.
    • Represent the organization at industry events, committees, and external forums.
    • Effectively communicate operational visions, goals, and priorities internally and externally.
  • Reporting & Governance:
    • Ensure accurate documentation and reporting of operational performance.
    • Provide timely updates to executive leadership regarding operational status, risks, and opportunities.

  Requirements

  • Extensive experience in maritime operations with thorough knowledge of vessel management, regulatory compliance, and industry trends.
  • Proven success in managing P&L, budgets, forecasting, and driving financial performance.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead large, geographically dispersed teams with strong leadership, communication, decision-making, and conflict-resolution skills.
  • Experience working with labor unions and managing collective bargaining environments.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, proficient with Microsoft Office and enterprise business systems.
  • Able to handle confidential information and perform effectively in dynamic, fast-paced environments.

  Preferred Education & Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree required; MBA preferred.
  • At least 12 years of maritime industry experience, including significant operational leadership roles.