Director of Operations

Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Inc; Fort Lauderdale (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Water Taxi in Fort Lauderdale, FL seeks a Director of Operations to lead the safe, reliable daily operation of its passenger fleet, oversee captains, deckhands, and dock staff, and drive service execution, crew readiness, training, safety, and regulatory compliance.

This on-site role will partner with Engineering on vessel readiness, startup/shutdown procedures, maintenance priorities, and service-recovery plans to support growth and exceptional guest experiences.

Qualifications

• Valid USCG Master credential for steam or motor vessels of not more than 100 gross tons, or higher.
• Current FCC radio operator license, TWIC, CPR certification, and recognized first‑aid certification.

Responsibilities

• Direct daily maritime operations across Pompano, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Miami, and future service areas, ensuring vessels depart safely and on schedule.
• Monitor real‑time operations; resolve delays, staffing gaps, weather impacts, dock issues, and service disruptions; communicate timely updates to employees, leadership, and guests.
• Own vessel deployment, crew scheduling, route and stop execution, docking standards, dock security, and Manager‑on‑Duty coverage.
• Partner with Engineering on vessel readiness, startup and shutdown procedures, maintenance priorities, and service‑recovery plans.

Skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Communication

Coaching

Documentation

Conflict-management

Decision making under pressure

Teamwork

English proficiency

Education

USCG Master credential

FCC radio operator license

CPR certification

First-aid certification

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

Job description

Full job description

Director of Operations

FULL-TIME | FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA | REPORTS TO THE PRESIDENT

About Water Taxi

For more than 30 years, Water Taxi has provided scheduled service, sightseeing, charters, and special-event transportation across South Florida. Our 15-vessel passenger fleet—from 26-foot launches to 64-foot high-speed catamarans—is supported by more than 100 employees. Over 1.6 million boardings in 2025

Position Summary

Reporting to the President, the Director of Operations leads the safe, reliable, efficient, and guest-focused daily operation of Water Taxi’s passenger fleet. This hands‑on leader directs captains, deckhands, and dock staff; owns service execution, crew readiness, training, safety, and regulatory compliance; and builds scalable operating practices for continued growth.

Core Responsibilities Service Delivery and Operational Control

• Direct daily maritime operations across Pompano, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Miami, and future service areas, ensuring vessels depart safely and on schedule.
• Monitor real‑time operations; resolve delays, staffing gaps, weather impacts, dock issues, and service disruptions; and communicate timely updates to employees, leadership, and guests.
• Own vessel deployment, crew scheduling, route and stop execution, docking standards, dock security, and Manager‑on‑Duty coverage.
• Partner with Engineering on vessel readiness, startup and shutdown procedures, maintenance priorities, and service‑recovery plans.

People, Safety, and Guest Experience

• Lead, coach, schedule, and evaluate captains, deckhands, and dock staff; conduct crew meetings and address performance or disciplinary matters consistently.
• Build captain and crew development programs, qualification pathways, vessel checkoffs, and succession plans that support safe staffing and expansion.
• Ensure compliance with USCG, OSHA, company safety, security, alcohol‑service, and emergency‑response requirements; maintain complete training and qualification records.
• Investigate and document incidents independently, determine root causes, implement corrective actions, and communicate with leadership and regulatory authorities as required.
• Set and uphold standards for vessel cleanliness, employee professionalism, clear passenger communication, and excellent customer service.

What Success Looks Like

• Safe, on‑time, dependable service with fast, well‑communicated recovery from disruptions.
• Qualified crews are scheduled effectively, trained consistently, and prepared for growth.
• Strong inspection readiness, accurate records, disciplined incident follow‑up, and continuous improvement.
• Clean, welcoming vessels and docks—and a consistently excellent guest experience.

Candidate Profile

• Valid USCG Master credential for steam or motor vessels of not more than 100 gross tons, or higher.
• Current FCC radio operator license, TWIC, CPR certification, and recognized first‑aid certification.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in passenger‑vessel operations, marine transportation, or a comparable high‑tempo, safety‑critical environment.
• Strong maritime judgment, problem‑solving, organization, communication, coaching, documentation, and conflict‑management skills.
• Ability to make sound decisions under pressure, manage multiple priorities, and work effectively with crews, guests, regulators, and senior leadership.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English and Microsoft Word and Excel; valid driver’s license; high school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to meet Florida alcohol‑service requirements and support cash or credit‑card transactions when operationally necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five or more years in maritime operations, including progressive responsibility for crew leadership, scheduling, training, safety, and service delivery.
• Post‑secondary education and experience with USCG‑inspected passenger vessels, multi‑location service, operational expansion, or structured safety‑management systems.

Schedule and Work Environment

This full‑time, shore‑based position is primarily on site in Fort Lauderdale, with local travel among Water Taxi operating locations and no routine offshore rotations or extended travel. A flexible schedule, rotating Manager‑on‑Duty coverage, and availability during operational disruptions are required. The Director must be prepared to act as Captain when needed and work aboard vessels and on docks in varied weather and marine conditions, with reasonable accommodation where applicable.