Vice President, Marine Operations

Foss Maritime Company; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 193,773 - 290,659; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401k with company match

Paid holidays

Paid time off and vacation days

Job summary

Foss Maritime Company is seeking a strategic Vice President of Marine Operations to drive safe, compliant harbor ship assist services and oversee tug, escort, and related marine operations from Seattle. You will lead senior managers, shape operational strategy, and ensure high performance across fleets.

This leadership role requires strong financial acumen, P&L ownership, budgeting, labor relations expertise, and external representation in the maritime community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA preferred.
• 12+ years’ maritime industry experience with leadership in operations.
• Significant senior leadership experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop senior operational managers and vessel officers.
• Drive safety, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence across fleets.
• Oversee multi-port harbor assist operations and staffing.
• Own marine operations P&L and annual budgets.
• Shape labor relations strategy and collective bargaining.
• Represent Foss Maritime in industry forums and with customers.
• Provide timely reporting on performance, risks, and opportunities.

Skills

P&L Management

Maritime Operations

Budgeting

Labor Relations

Leadership

Safety & Compliance

Data-Driven Decisions

Executive Communication

Change Management

Risk Management

Education

Bachelor's Degree

MBA

12+ years maritime industry experience

Job description

The Vice President of Marine Operations (VPMO) is responsible for the safe, compliant, and efficient execution of harbor ship assist operations, including tug, escort, and related marine services. This role is accountable for operational excellence, regulatory compliance, workforce performance, and financial outcomes while advancing Foss Maritime’s culture of safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

The Vice President of Marine Operations will lead senior operational managers, drive strategic initiatives, optimize operational performance, and serve as a visible leader internally and externally within the maritime industry.

Key Responsibilities

Safety, Compliance, and Operational Excellence

• Champion and continuously strengthen a culture of safety, environmental stewardship, and operational discipline across all fleets and ports.
• Partner closely with HSQE leadership to ensure full compliance with environmental, health, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Establish, implement, and oversee systems, policies, and processes that support safe operations, efficient execution, and risk mitigation.
• Drive continuous improvement, modernization, and operational excellence initiatives using data-driven performance metrics.

Operational Leadership

• Provide oversight for multi-port, multi-port marine operations, ensuring consistent standards and best-practice execution.
• Direct and manage day-to-day operations of the harbor assist fleet while ensuring operational readiness across all assets.
• Ensure vessels and regional facilities are appropriately staffed with trained and properly credentialed personnel to meet current and future needs.
• Identify operational issues proactively and lead structured resolution planning to minimize disruption and maximize performance.
• Ensure the transfer of information and adoption of best practices across all areas of responsibility.

Financial and Strategic Management

• Own and manage marine operations P&L with a strong focus on operational optimization, efficiency, and profitability.
• Develop, manage, and execute comprehensive annual operating and capital budgets.
• Contribute to both short-term execution planning and long-term strategic growth initiatives.
• Drive operational efficiencies through disciplined cost management, process redesign, and agile change management.
• Translate strategic objectives into safe executable operational plans that deliver customer value and commercial results.

Leadership, Talent, and Labor Relations

• Lead, mentor, and develop senior operational leaders and vessel officers.
• Support professional development through coaching, performance management, and succession planning.
• Oversee labor relations strategy, including union engagement and collective bargaining, fostering collaborative and productive relationships.
• Maintain open, transparent communication with employees at all levels to build trust, engagement, and accountability.
• Inspire a positive, performance-driven culture by challenging teams to achieve optimal business results.

Stakeholder Engagement and Industry Leadership

• Build and sustain strong relationships with customers, vendors, regulators, and industry partners.
• Represent Foss Maritime as a thought leader at industry events, committees, boards, and external forums.
• Communicate the company’s vision, goals, and strategic priorities clearly and consistently across the organization.

Reporting and Governance

• Ensure accurate development and maintenance of operating records, reports, and performance dashboards.
• Provide clear, timely updates to executive leadership on operational performance, risks, and opportunities.

Qualifications and Skills

• Ability to operate effectively in a safety-focused, fast-paced environment with short execution timeframes.
• Extensive maritime operations experience with strong knowledge of vessel operations, regulatory requirements, and industry trends.
• Proven ability to manage P&L, budgets, forecasting, and financial performance in asset-intensive operations.
• Demonstrated success driving growth, re-engineering processes, and delivering measurable business value.
• Experience leading large, geographically dispersed teams in complex operating environments.
• Exceptional people leadership, decision-making, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with labor unions, including collective bargaining, grievance resolution, and maintaining productive labor–management relationships.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills at executive, operational, and frontline levels.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and enterprise business systems; strong data-driven decision-making capability.
• Proven capacity to manage confidential information, perform under stress, and balance competing priorities.

Minimum Qualifications

This position generally requires a bachelor’s degree, with an MBA preferred. 12+ years’ maritime industry experience, with management experience in operations. Significant relevant senior leadership experience strongly preferred.

Working Condition

Work will be performed in an office setting. Regular travel will be required.

Compensation

Pay for this position will be between $193,773 to $290,659 annually based on experience. This position is eligible to participate in our annual incentive compensation plan (ICP). The target bonus will be 35% of base salary, subject to company and individual performance and per company policy.

• The benefit program includes medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• This position will accrue 20 days of vacation a year. 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.
• All other benefits as required by law

How to Apply

Ready to set sail with Foss? Submit your application via our careers page. If you need any assistance please reach out to [e-mail]. We look forward to welcoming you aboard.

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.