Maritime Operations Manager 

We seek to move the world forward through innovative thinking.

Woolpert is an award-winning, global leader in architecture, engineering, and geospatial services. We blend design excellence with cutting-edge technology to deliver exceptional client value. Our team is passionate about their work and committed to building the next generation of industry leaders, and as a certified Great Place to Work®, Woolpert embraces progress and innovation to create limitless opportunities for career growth.

Position Overview

Woolpert is hiring a Maritime Operations Manager to lead our field personnel and support operational functions in our San Rafael, CA office.

This role combines people management with essential office administration responsibilities to ensure smooth, efficient day-to-day operations. 

The ideal candidate is highly organized, comfortable in delegating tasks and managing workloads, and proactive in maintaining structure, accountability, and operational efficiency in a fast-moving environment. Strong leadership abilities and operational experience are the most crucial qualifications for success in this position. Industry-specific training will be provided. 

We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.  Applicants must already possess work authorization in the country the job is located.

What You Will Do:

• Lead, supervise, and support a team of ~5 field personnel to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant operations
• Monitor performance, provide coaching, and uphold accountability standards
• Collaborate with project management teams and technical staff to manage scheduling, dispatch coordination, and daily task assignments 
• Maintain operational workflows, procedures, and documentation to ensure all operational activities align with company policies, safety requirements, and regulatory guidelines
• Perform office administration tasks, including inventory tracking, shipping/receiving, reporting, and recordkeeping
• Identify process improvements and implement structured systems to enhance productivity and team efficiency 

Leadership & Compliance & Safety 

• Champion a strong safety culture across office, workshop, and vessel operations, setting the standard for safe practices at every level 
• Ensure vessels, workshop, and office areas consistently meet current safety standards, regulatory requirements, and company best practices  
• Collaborate with leadership to proactively identify and mitigate operational risks, driving a culture of prevention over reaction  
• Oversee team utilization, timesheet accuracy, and expense reporting to maintain accountability and operational transparency 

Training & Support 

• Role/Industry-specific training will be provided, including hands-on exposure to survey equipment, vessel operations, and company workflows
• Ongoing collaboration with technical leads and project management to support informed, confident decision-making
• Empowered with clear authority and organizational backing to drive meaningful improvements in safety, structure, and team performance 

What You Will Bring:

• Proven experience leading technical or field-based teams in industries such as construction, marine operations, field services, or manufacturing
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities, shifting demands, and multiple work streams simultaneously
• Demonstrated ability to establish and enforce structure, accountability, and clear expectations in a fast-paced operational environment
• Self-sufficient and decisive — able to manage complex day-to-day operations with minimal oversight while escalating appropriately Strong communicator with the ability to deliver clear direction, align cross-functional stakeholders, and follow through on commitments
• Comfortable working on-site, with a hands-on presence across office, workshop, and field environments 

 Preferred Experience 

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Operations Management, Business Administration, Marine Transportation, Project Management, or a related field — or equivalent professional experience
• Background in marine operations, construction management, field services, logistics, or shop/facility supervision
• Experience managing equipment inventory, logistics programs, shipping/receiving operations, or fleet asset tracking
• Hands-on familiarity with mechanical systems, vessels, survey equipment, or other technical field equipment; formal training will be provided as needed
• Experience overseeing safety practices, compliance standards, and risk mitigation in operational or industrial environments
• Exposure to scheduling, dispatch coordination, or resource planning across cross-functional teams
• Proficiency in operational reporting, recordkeeping, and documentation management 

 What This Role Is (and Isn’t) 

• This is a hands-on operational leadership role - you'll be present, engaged, and visible across the office, workshop, and field, not managing from behind a desk 
• Success is defined by the strength of your team, the consistency of your operations, and your ability to maintain safety, accountability, and efficiency in a dynamic environment  
• You'll be trusted with real autonomy to run day-to-day operations, make sound decisions, and keep things moving, without waiting to be directed  
• Maritime industry experience is not a prerequisite; what matters is that you bring proven leadership, disciplined operational instincts, and the ability to build structure where it's needed 

Why Join 

• Be part of a stable, growing operation with a strong technical reputation and a team that takes pride in doing the work right 
• Step into a role with genuine autonomy, you'll have the authority and organizational support to lead, build, and improve, not just maintain 
• Make a direct impact on team culture, safety standards, and operational workflows in a company that values structure and continuous improvement  

Benefits You Will Love

Certified as a Great Place to Work, Woolpert is one of the fastest-growing architecture, engineering, and geospatial companies in the world. With over 75 offices and countless projects around the globe, you’ll work on meaningful assignments that improve quality of life around the world. In addition to offering competitive pay, we provide employees with a robust set of unique benefits, including:

• Freedom to Work program: Set your own schedule and location (as appropriate).
• Principal program: Earn the opportunity to become an owner of the firm.
• Flexible paid time off/vacation: Take time off when it makes sense for you and your team.
• Career development: Explore a wide range of learning and growth opportunities within and across industries.
• Health, life, vision, and dental insurance: Cover all your medical bases.
• Paid sick time, retirement plan, fitness reimbursement, pet insurance, identity protection, technology stipend, employee assistance program, and more!

Find out more about what Woolpert has to offer here:  http://woolpert.com/about-us/

Woolpert is an equal-opportunity employer. Woolpert is committed to the full inclusion of all individuals. We recruit, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law.  You may view more about EEO on our website: Equal-Employment-Opportunity-The-Law.pdf and EEO is the Law Poster Supplement.

Applicants who require an accommodation throughout the application and interview process should request this in advance by contacting askhr@woolpert.com.

If you need to reschedule or cancel your interview, please reach out to your recruiter by contacting recruiting@woolpert.com. 

To all agencies: Please, no phone calls or emails to any employee of Woolpert or any of our subsidiaries about this requisition. All resumes submitted by search firms/employment agencies to any employee at Woolpert via email, the internet, or in any form and/or method will be deemed the sole property of Woolpert, unless such search firms/employment agencies were engaged by Woolpert's Talent Acquisition Team for this requisition and a valid agreement is in place. In the event a candidate who was submitted outside of Woolpert's applicant process is hired, no fee or payment of any kind will be paid.