Director, Projects Business Development - Seattle, WA

Foss; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 164,000 - 246,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision

Vacation 20 days/year

401k with 4% match

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Tuition reimbursement

9 paid holidays + floating days

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

Foss Maritime seeks a Director, Project Business Development to lead growth across marine transportation, offshore energy, and industrial projects in North America and select international markets. You will build executive relationships, develop capture strategies, and advance high-value opportunities from identification to award.

You will guide pricing, commercial structures, and partnerships, coordinating with Operations, Finance, Legal, and Leadership to deliver competitive solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Transportation, Maritime Studies, or a related field.
• 10+ years of business development, commercial leadership, or related experience.
• Proven success securing large-scale, multimillion-dollar project contracts.
• Experience leading complex pursuits from opportunity identification through contract award.
• Strong negotiation, relationship management, and consultative selling skills.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, including project economics, pricing strategy, and contract structures.

Responsibilities

• Identify, qualify, and pursue new business opportunities aligned with company growth objectives.
• Develop and maintain a robust pipeline of strategic project opportunities.
• Evaluate market trends, customer needs, and competitive dynamics to identify emerging opportunities.
• Create and execute business development strategies that drive sustainable revenue growth.

Skills

Negotiation

Relationship management

Consultative selling

Strategic planning

Cross-functional collaboration

Hunter mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Transportation, Maritime Studies, or related field

Job description

About Foss Maritime

Foss Maritime is one of the most recognized and respected maritime brands in the U.S., combining a rich legacy with a forward-thinking approach to industry innovation. While deeply rooted in tradition, Foss is evolving at a fast pace, continuously setting new standards for operational excellence and sustainability.

With operations spanning all U.S. coasts and global transportation projects, Foss is a leader in harbor and terminal towage, tug and barge transportation, and offshore energy solutions, including traditional energy and offshore wind projects. Our primary operations are on the U.S. West Coast, Alaska, and Hawaii.

As part of the Saltchuk family of companies, Foss is a values-driven organization that takes pride in its exceptional team, commitment to safety, and dedication to customer success. With a culture built on integrity, innovation, and collaboration, Foss Maritime remains a trusted leader in the maritime industry.

About the Role

Foss Maritime is seeking an experienced and results-driven Director, Project Business Development to lead strategic growth initiatives across marine transportation, marine infrastructure, offshore energy, government, and industrial project markets.

This role serves as a senior commercial leader responsible for identifying, pursuing, and securing complex, high-value projects throughout North America and select international markets. The successful candidate will build executive-level relationships, drive capture strategies, and position the company to win innovative and profitable marine solutions.

The Director, Project Business Development will play a critical role in expanding our presence across offshore energy, government and defense, marine construction, infrastructure development, heavy lift transportation, dredging support, renewable energy, and industrial project sectors.

Key Responsibilities

Business Growth & Opportunity Development

• Identify, qualify, and pursue new business opportunities aligned with company growth objectives.
• Develop and maintain a robust pipeline of strategic project opportunities.
• Evaluate market trends, customer needs, and competitive dynamics to identify emerging opportunities.
• Create and execute business development strategies that drive sustainable revenue growth.

Customer & Industry Engagement

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with project owners, EPC contractors, engineering firms, government agencies, offshore developers, marine construction companies, and industrial operators.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to customers by developing innovative transportation and project solutions.
• Represent the company at industry conferences, trade associations, customer meetings, and networking events.

Pursuit & Capture Management

• Lead capture planning, opportunity pursuit, negotiation strategy, and proposal development for major projects.
• Coordinate responses to RFQs, RFPs, tenders, and negotiated opportunities.
• Collaborate closely with Operations, Project Management, Finance, Legal, and Executive Leadership to develop competitive project solutions and commercial structures.
• Support opportunities from initial identification through contract award and project implementation.

Commercial Leadership

• Develop pricing and commercial strategies that balance risk and profitability.
• Negotiate commercial and contractual terms with customers and partners.
• Maintain accurate forecasting, CRM updates, and business performance reporting.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Transportation, Maritime Studies, or a related field.
• 10+ years of business development, commercial leadership, project sales, or related experience.
• Demonstrated success securing large-scale, multimillion-dollar project contracts.
• Proven experience leading complex pursuits from opportunity identification through contract award.
• Strong negotiation, relationship management, and consultative selling skills.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, including project economics, pricing strategy, and contract structures.

Preferred Industry Experience

Experience in one or more of the following industries is highly desirable:

• Marine transportation
• Offshore energy and offshore wind
• Oil & gas and LNG
• Marine construction and dredging support
• Government and defense contracting
• Infrastructure development
• Heavy lift and specialized transportation projects

What Makes You Successful

You are a strategic business developer with a strong hunter mentality who thrives on identifying new opportunities and building long-term customer partnerships. You are equally comfortable engaging with executives, negotiating complex contracts, and collaborating cross-functionally to deliver project success.

You bring an entrepreneurial approach, strong commercial judgment, and a proven ability to turn relationships and opportunities into awarded business.

Key Performance Indicators

Success in this role will be measured by:

• New business revenue generated
• Project bookings and contract awards
• Pipeline growth and opportunity quality
• Strategic account penetration
• Win rate on targeted opportunities

Compensation

Pay for this position will be between $163,753 to $245,629 annually based on experience. This position is eligible to participate in our annual incentive compensation plan (ICP). The target bonus will be 20% of base salary, subject to company and individual performance and per company policy.

Benefits

• The benefit program includes medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• This position will accrue 20 days of vacation a year with a maximum accrual of 280 hours. Accrued vacation will be vested and available for use after successfully completing six (6) months of service.
• Life insurance equal to two times annual base salary.
• Accidental death and dismemberment insurance. Long term disability insurance.
• 401k program with a 4% match, vested immediately.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Business travel assistance program.
• Other voluntary benefits are available for purchase via payroll deduction at group rates.
• Nine (9) paid holidays with two (2) additional floating holidays available after six (6) months of service.
• Full time employees will accrue ninety-six (96) hours of sick leave per year, up to a maximum of 1,040 hours.
• Bereavement Leave - three (3) paid days off for a death in the immediate family, or five (5) days off if travel greater than 500 miles is required.
• Fully paid ORCA transportation card.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• All other benefits as required by law

Drug Free Workplace

Foss Maritime Company LLC is a Drug Free Workplace where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Foss Maritime Company LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.