Director, Port Operations

Lindblad Expeditions; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in expedition travel is seeking a dynamic Director of Port Operations to lead and optimize port operations for a global fleet. This pivotal role involves strategic planning, team leadership, and vendor management to ensure efficient operations and exceptional guest experiences. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in port operations management and a strong understanding of maritime regulations. Join a forward-thinking company that values excellence and collaboration, where your contributions will significantly impact the guest experience and operational success. If you're passionate about enhancing travel experiences and leading a dedicated team, this opportunity is for you.

Benefits

Travel benefits for employees and family

Health insurance including Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) plan with employer match

Long-Term Disability, Life & AD&D Insurance

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Paid Holidays

Floating Holiday Options

Vacation days

Parental Leave

Pet Insurance discount

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in port operations management, preferably in the cruise industry.
• Proven leadership experience with a track record of managing teams effectively.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic plans for port operations to enhance guest experiences.
• Lead a team, manage vendor relationships, and optimize logistics processes.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Logistics Optimization

Risk Management

Compliance Knowledge

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Maritime Studies or Business Administration

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Port Management Systems

MXP Port Module

Job description

WHO WE ARE

Lindblad Expeditions is the pioneer in the Expedition Travel space, from taking the first citizen explorers to Antarctica in 1966, to opening the Galapagos and Easter Island to tourism in 1967, to leading the first tourist expedition through the Northwest Passage in 1984, to launching our innovative partnership with National Geographic in 2004. Now taking nearly 25,000 guests per year to some of the world’s most remote and pristine locations on our fleet of 16 ships, we do whatever it takes to ensure our guests experience the “Exhilaration of Discovery”.

OVERVIEW

Lindblad Expeditions is seeking a dynamic and experienced Director of Port Operations to lead and optimize port operations for our global fleet. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Nautical, the Director of Port Operations will oversee a team of dedicated personnel and work closely with port agents worldwide to ensure efficient and effective port operations, negotiate economic rates for port calls and pilotage, ensuring superior guest experience in foreign and domestic ports, and implementing process improvements. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in supporting expedition development, securing favorable port berths, and navigating regulatory changes affecting navigation permits in various regions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

As a Port Operations Director for an expedition cruise company with 10-owned and managed ships operating globally, your responsibilities will be multifaceted and crucial for ensuring smooth operations and exceptional guest experiences. To perform this job successfully, this leader must be able to perform each essential duty listed satisfactorily. Additional duties may be added or assigned at any time:

1. Strategic Planning: Develop and execute strategic plans for port operations that add value to our expedition cruise operations by optimizing value (costs and benefits trade), improving turnaround efficiency and effectiveness, and enhancing the guest experience at each port of call. Develop and maintain a port operations knowledgebase to assist in itinerary planning.
2. Leadership: Directly lead a team of three personnel: Port Operations Manager, Port Operations Specialist, and Port Operations Coordinator. Provide guidance, mentorship, inspiration, and support to the port operations team, fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration.
3. Vendor Management: Establish and maintain relationships with port agents, local authorities, and service providers worldwide to negotiate favorable terms, ensure compliance with regulations, and resolve any operational issues efficiently.
4. Logistics Optimization: Implement efficient logistics processes for waste disposal, passenger embarkation/disembarkation, and facilitate provisioning and fueling to streamline operations and optimize turnaround times, while ensuring an exceptional guest experience.
5. Risk Management: Identify and monitor potential risks associated with port operations such as adverse weather conditions, political instability, or regulatory changes, and develop contingency plans to mitigate these risks effectively.
6. Cost Control: Monitor port-related expenses closely and identify opportunities for cost savings through negotiation, process optimization, and utilization of economies of scale across the fleet. Develop an annual port operations budget for the company’s owned fleet of 10 ships; continuously monitor and control financial performance in the port operations budget categories. Anticipate port operations cost increases (at least two years in advance if possible), and report potential changes to port tariffs, fees, expenses to the cross-functional itinerary development and vetting team.
7. Guest Experience Enhancement: Collaborate with onboard departments (e.g., hotel, expedition staff, deck leadership), and shore-based land & maritime managers to ensure seamless guest experiences during expedition zodiac operations, shore landings, port visits, shore excursions, transportation, and cultural experiences.
8. Compliance and Regulations: Stay informed about international maritime regulations, port-specific regulations, and environmental standards to ensure compliance and minimize disruptions to operations. Lead the cross-functional itinerary development team in the identification, application submission, and tracking of maritime/navigation permits required for the places we operate. Keep onboard teams and shore-side managers informed of permit requirements.
9. Continuous Improvement: Continuously evaluate and improve port operations processes, leveraging data analytics and feedback from guests and crew members to identify areas for enhancement.
10. Crisis Management: Collaborate with the Compliance department to develop robust crisis management protocols for handling emergencies such as medical evacuations, natural disasters, or security incidents during port visits, ensuring the safety and well-being of passengers and crew.
11. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with other departments such as Expedition Development (itinerary planning), Nautical, Hotel, Technical, Finance, and customer service to align port operations with overall business objectives and customer satisfaction goals.
12. Environmental Sustainability: Implement environmentally sustainable practices in port operations, such as waste management, emissions reduction, and promoting responsible tourism practices to minimize the company's environmental footprint.
13. Technology Adoption: Stay abreast of technological advancements in port operations management, such as digitalization, real-time tracking systems, and predictive analytics, to enhance efficiency and decision-making processes. Oversee the transition of port operations agent transactions to the MXP port module, ensuring smooth integration and user adoption.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor's degree in Maritime Studies, Business Administration, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
2. Minimum of 7 years of experience in port operations management, preferably within the cruise industry.
3. Proven leadership experience, with a track record of successfully managing teams and driving results.
4. Exemplary communication skills, adept at fostering collaboration and synergy among cross-functional teams, facilitating seamless coordination, and effectively conveying strategic objectives and operational requirements across all levels of the organization.
5. Strong negotiation skills and experience in negotiating contracts with port agents and port authorities.
6. Familiarity with port management systems and technology, preferably MXP Port Module or similar platforms.
7. Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to analyze costs, establish budgets, and identify opportunities for process improvement.
8. In-depth knowledge of international maritime regulations and navigation permit requirements.
9. Flexibility to travel as needed to support port operations and expedition development/planning activities. Candidates should expect up to 40% of their time will be spent traveling (US and international).

OUR BENEFITS

• Travel benefits for employees and their family

• Voyage of Discovery trips for employees to travel as guests

• Health insurance including Medical, Dental, Vision

• 401(k) plan with employer match

• Long-Term Disability, Life & AD&D Insurance

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to be used for out-of-pocket medical and dependent care

• Pre-Tax Commuter Benefit

• 7-8 Paid Holidays

• 2-3 Floating Holiday Options (pro-rated per start date)

• Up to 15 days of vacation (pro-rated per anniversary year)

• Parental Leave

• Sick/personal days per city & state ordinance

• Pet Insurance discount

Communication Skills

Using the English language, this person must have the ability to read, write, and comprehend policies, legal guidelines, correspondence, and memos. Must also possess the ability to effectively communicate--both in writing and orally--with a professional demeanor.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear. The employee will also be required to write and type. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.

COMPENSATION STATEMENT

Lindblad Expeditions determines the pay for positions using local, national, and industry-specific survey data. We evaluate external equity and the cost of labor/prevailing wage index in the relative marketplace for jobs directly comparable to jobs within our company. Our posted salary range is based on national data and may be refined for a candidate's region/town/cost of living.

For new hires, we strive to make competitive offers allowing the new employee room for future growth. Salaries will be based on the applicant’s location, level of experience, education, and specialized knowledge and skills. An employee/candidate with a stronger skill set will receive higher pay.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT

At Lindblad Expeditions, we simply could not do our work without the diverse kaleidoscope of humanity that creates and delivers our remarkable offerings across the planet. As a Company that respects and celebrates the inherent diversity in the places we explore, we recognize the need to mirror that same diversity and all the interconnected perspectives within our organization. We are committed to building a community of different genders, races, ages, sexual orientations, chosen identities, and countries of origin where every person brings their whole self to work and whose skills, talents, and abilities are valued. We believe we can explore further and in a more meaningful way by actively creating a more diverse and inclusive organization where everyone feels they belong.

Lindblad Expeditions is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals seeking employment at Lindblad Expeditions are considered without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetics, marital status, pregnancy, unemployment status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or veteran status.