Full job description
Director of Operations

Lead safe, reliable passenger-vessel service.

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

Build a meaningful marine leadership career without offshore rotations or extended travel. This Fort Lauderdale-based role offers broad operational responsibility while allowing you to return home each day.

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.

Cruise Industry Project Manager
Develop project surveys, ensuring the successful delivery of high-quality solutions within the scope, schedule, budget, and logistics of all shipboard and land-based projects.
Duties and Responsibilities:

Responsible for the Water Park division in service and Dry-dock project management.
Responsible for company project team (PM’s, Leads, contractors & vendors) assignments and management as required to professionally, safely, and economically complete company contracted projects.
As assigned, responsible for estimating project scope of work, and budgets, developing project materials lists with subject matter experts/technical leads, and coordinating logistics for crew assigned to all projects.
Work closely with the GM and purchasing teams to purchase project materials and ensure all is accurate and managed per project expectations.
Responsible for the project completion as outlined in work scopes and directed by the Water Park Division General Manager.
Identify project risks and develop mitigation strategies.
Responsible for coordinating and maintaining good working relationships with other company employees, clients, internal contractors, and vendors to ensure project requirements are met.
Monitor project progress and performance, taking corrective action as necessary to meet project objective
Provide general project management and organization.
Conduct regular project meetings, provide status updates to stakeholders, and communicate any issues or problems to GM or Director.
Ensure compliance with industry standards, regulations, and safety requirements.
Manage project documentation, including plans, schedules, budgets, and reports.
Maintain working knowledge of cruise line project shipping guidelines.

Prioritize important tasks and solve basic problems that may arise on the job.

Work as a self-starter to maintain project workflow.

Conduct post-project reviews to identify lessons learned and areas for improvement.
Additional duties and responsibilities may be given or reassigned based on direction from the Waterpark GM, and or Director.
Requirements and Qualifications:
PMP training/certificate a Plus.

Be proficient in project management software programs such as Mondays, Procor, Microsoft, AutoCAD. and blueprint reading knowledge.
Proven track record of successful project management in the marine industry, demonstrating the ability to deliver complex projects on time and within budget.
Strong technical background in marine engineering or related disciplines, with a thorough understanding of understanding of industry practices and standards.
Strong leadership and team-building skills, with the ability to motivate teams.

Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex issues, identify root causes, and develop effective solutions.

Ability to adapt to changing project requirements and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Be able to lift objects up to 50 lbs. and should be in overall physical health.

Be able to self-educate related to the technical department and it relates to assigned projects.
Must have availability to work on weekends and holidays as needed to meet project requirements.
Must be able to travel 25% to 50% of the time globally (Estimate 150+ days/year).
Maintain essential documents in good standing, including passport, driver’s license, TWIC, vaccine card, etc., as required for work and travel.
Be self-sufficient in case of emergency when traveling.
Bilingual in Spanish and Portuguese a plus.
Must be authorized and eligible to work in the United States.
Strong knowledge of maritime regulations, port operations, and industry best practices.
Cruise industry knowledge is a plus.