Operations Manager – Dubai

Acquera Yachting; Dubai; On-site; AED 446,000 - 781,000; Full time

Job summary

Acquera Yachting in Dubai seeks an Operations Manager to oversee all operational activities for yacht and superyacht services, ensuring high standards and efficient delivery across port formalities, provisioning, concierge and bunkering.

The role emphasizes budgeting, cost control and profitability monitoring, while developing strategic partnerships and client relationships to support business growth in the region.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of managerial experience in yachting or luxury hospitality
• Dubai market knowledge and maritime regulations
• Port formalities and customs clearance expertise
• Excellent client management and service orientation
• Budgeting, financial monitoring and reporting
• Business development mindset
• Leadership and people management
• Analytical and project management skills
• Excellent communication, negotiation and networking
• Proactive, discreet with confidentiality
• IT systems, CRM and MS Office proficiency
• Fluent English (written and spoken)
• Willingness to travel frequently
• Valid driving license

Responsibilities

• Oversee berth bookings and clearance procedures with port authorities.
• Ensure quality of services for owners, guests and crew (concierge, provisioning, transfers, events, bunkering).
• Select, manage and evaluate suppliers for quality and cost efficiency.
• Ensure accurate use of company systems and CRM updates; coordinate with Administration on finance.
• Manage operations within the approved budget and monitor profitability.
• Grow business through client relationships and partnerships; participate in shows.
• Lead staff management, training and development with HR.
• Contribute to strategic and operational guidelines from Corporate Management.
• Analyze market trends and prepare performance reports.

Skills

Client management

Budgeting

Financial reporting

Business development

Leadership

Project management

Communication

CRM

MS Office

English proficiency

Tools

CRM platforms

MS Office

Job description

The Operations Manager oversees all operational activities of the yachting agency within the assigned area (Dubai), ensuring the smooth execution of yacht and superyacht and related maritime services, while continuously enhancing service quality and contributing to business development. The role coordinates and supervises services such as port formalities, provisioning, concierge and bunkering, guaranteeing high service standards and operational efficiency. It also builds and maintains strong relationships with clients, suppliers and industry stakeholders, identifying new business opportunities and strategic partnerships.

In addition, the Operations Manager is responsible for the financial performance of operations, including budgeting, cost control and profitability monitoring, while supporting the implementation of the company’s strategic and commercial objectives in line with Management guidelines.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee berth bookings and clearance procedures, including compliance with port formalities and customs, coordinating effectively with local offices and authorities.
• Supervise and guarantee the quality of all services provided to owners, guests and crew (concierge, provisioning, transfers, events, bunkering, medical assistance), maintaining operational excellence.
• Select, manage and evaluate suppliers to uphold high service standards and cost efficiency.
• Oversee the accurate use of company systems, including proper Statements of Account and CRM updates and coordinate with Administration on financial monitoring and credit recovery.
• Manage operations within the approved budget, monitoring performance, profitability and agreed commercial targets.
• Build and strengthen client relationships, contributing to business growth and portfolio expansion in collaboration with the Commercial Team, including participation in international shows.
• Lead staff management, training and development in coordination with Human Resources, promoting alignment with company policies and procedures.
• Contribute to the implementation of strategic, commercial and operational guidelines defined by Corporate Management, in line with company standards, ethics and confidentiality policies.
• Analyze market trends and competitors, preparing periodic performance reports and business insights.

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of managerial experience within yachting agencies, commercial shipping agencies, cruise ship agencies and/or luxury hospitality environments.
• Strong knowledge of the yachting market and the local area (Dubai).
• Proven expertise in port formalities, customs clearance procedures and coordination with maritime and government authorities.
• Excellent client management and customer service orientation.
• Solid experience in budgeting, financial monitoring and performance reporting.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to identify business development opportunities.
• Proven leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop teams.
• Strong analytical, organizational and project management skills, with a results-driven mindset.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, presentation skills and networking abilities.
• Creative strategist with excellent time management skills.
• Proficiency in IT systems, CRM platforms and MS Office.
• Fluent in written and spoken English.
• Collaborative, dynamic, proactive and discreet, with a strong sense of confidentiality.
• Availability for frequent business travel and flexibility to manage high-pressure situations.
• Full clean driving license.

Location: Dubai

Contract terms and remuneration will be determined based on the candidate’s profile.