Project Operations & Sales Manager

Pay: $93,000 - $105,000 a year

We are seeking an experienced and highly organized Project Operations & Sales Manager to join our leadership team at our Seattle/Ballard facility. This is a hands-on, management role responsible for leading a team of 4-5 Project Managers while overseeing project workflow, customer experience, operational coordination, and sales performance across the yard.

The ideal candidate combines strong marine industry technical knowledge with proven leadership, operational management, customer communication, and sales development experience. This role serves as a key bridge between customers, project managers, technical teams, yard operations, and company leadership.

This position reports to the Owners and works closely with the Yard Manager and Technical Leads to ensure efficient operations, strong financial performance, and high-quality customer experience.

This is an onsite leadership role requiring in-person presence five days per week (Monday - Friday) at our Ballard facility.

Key Responsibilities:

Team Leadership & Project Operations:

Lead, mentor, and support a team of Project Managers responsible for customer projects from intake through delivery
Oversee day-to-day project operations to ensure smooth workflow, scheduling, communication, and execution
Set team priorities and performance expectations to meet operational, revenue, and customer service goals
Conduct employee coaching, training; lead efforts for annual reviews and performance development planning
Support hiring and onboarding of project management staff
Serve as escalation support for customer concerns and complex project issues
Develop and improve operational procedures, project workflows, and communication standards
Collaborate with the Owners, Yard Operations Manager, and Technical Leads on operational planning and business initiatives
Monitor workload distribution, staffing capacity, and project timelines to maximize efficiency and profitability

Sales & Customer Relationship Management:

Drive sales activity and revenue growth through lead generation, customer retention, referrals, and relationship development
Build and maintain strong relationships with vessel owners, captains, brokers, and marine industry partners
Oversee project estimating processes and ensure estimates are accurate, timely, and properly scoped
Support Project Managers with complex estimates, change orders, and customer communications
Track sales performance, pipeline activity, and project profitability metrics
Assist ownership and leadership with marketing initiatives, customer outreach, and business development strategies
Maintain a high standard of customer communication and service throughout all phases of work

Operational & Financial Oversight:

Monitor project financial performance including labor utilization, job costing, margins, and change-order management
Analyze operational reports and KPI metrics to improve workflow, productivity, and profitability
Coordinate with technical departments to ensure timely work order execution and resource allocation
Oversee final quality-control inspections prior to vessel delivery
Ensure projects are completed safely, efficiently, and to company quality standards
Assist with vendor coordination, subcontractor management, and procurement planning as needed
Support compliance with OSHA, environmental, and marine safety standards

Required Experience & Skills:

2+ years of leadership or management experience in the marine service, boatyard, yacht service, or related marine industry
Strong technical knowledge of recreational vessel systems including diesel and gas engines, marine electrical systems, and vessel maintenance practices
Extensive knowledge of marine coatings systems including Awlgrip and related high-end finishing systems
Proven experience leading teams, mentoring employees, and managing operational workflow
Strong financial acumen including budgeting, project profitability, labor tracking, and KPI reporting
Experience with project scheduling, multi-project coordination, and operational prioritization
Strong customer service, conflict resolution, and relationship management skills
Experience managing estimates, change orders, and customer communications
Ability to work collaboratively across departments in a fast-paced environment
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong decision-making and problem-solving abilities

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with CRM systems and sales pipeline management

Experience with vendor management and subcontractor coordination
Familiarity with process improvement and SOP development
Knowledge of OSHA and marine safety compliance practi