Chief of Staff

Seafar is making shipping smarter, more innovative, and more sustainable by operating vessels remotely from our Remote Operations Centers (ROCs). We believe in a maritime future where technology enhances human capabilities, and where efficiency, innovation, and sustainability go hand in hand.

As our Chief of Staff, you'll be the operational and strategic right hand of the CEO, someone who keeps the engine running, connects the dots across the organisation, and turns ambition into structured execution. You don't just support the leadership: you are part of it.

Your mission 

Seafar is scaling from a pioneering startup into a commercially operating maritime tech company, and we need someone who can operate at two speeds simultaneously: strategic altitude and operational depth.

As Chief of Staff, you combine the role of trusted CEO partner with hands-on operational leadership. You translate strategic decisions into structured execution across the organisation. You own cross-functional alignment between Sales, Product, Tech, and Operations. And where it matters most, you roll up your sleeves and make things happen.

This is not a support role. This is a builder role, for someone who thrives in complexity, takes ownership seriously, and understands that in a scale-up, the gap between strategy and execution is where companies win or lose.

Core responsibilities 

Strategic execution & CEO partnership

• Serve as the strategic right hand to the CEO: translate decisions into structured, measurable execution across commercial, financial, and operational tracks.

• Build and run the performance management cadence — leadership rituals, OKR translation, progress tracking, and proactive identification of risks and bottlenecks.

• Prepare board updates, investor materials, and executive reporting.

• Drive financial oversight: budget discipline, headcount planning, and strategic prioritisation.

Operational ownership

• Take ownership of cross-functional initiatives that span multiple teams and don't fit neatly into one department.

• Lead and coordinate operational scaling initiatives: processes, tooling, team structure, and service delivery frameworks.

• Be the escalation point when things go wrong: calm under pressure, decisive, and present where it matters.

• Ensure that strategic decisions taken at leadership level actually land in day-to-day operations.

Cross-functional alignment

• Partner with Sales, Product, and Tech to ensure tight coordination across the customer journey, from presales viability to post-delivery success.

• Identify friction between departments and drive structural improvements.

• Lead high-priority cross-functional projects where alignment and speed are critical.

• Build bridges between commercial ambitions and operational reality.

Organisational development

• Help shape the organisational structure as Seafar scales: roles, responsibilities, and decision-making frameworks.

• Identify gaps in capability or capacity before they become problems.

• Collaborate with HR on key hires and team development.

Does this sounds like you? 

• 7–10 years of experience combining strategic and operational roles, ideally in a startup or high-growth scale-up environment.

• You've been a trusted partner to a founder or CEO before, you know what that relationship requires.

• Proven track record in operational scaling: building processes, leading cross-functional teams, and delivering results in ambiguous environments.

• Strong people leader with a coaching mindset: you build accountability without micromanaging.

• Analytically sharp and commercially aware: you understand the numbers and can connect them to operational reality.

• Hands-on and decisive: you don't wait for perfect information to act.

• Excellent communicator in Dutch and English (French or German is a plus).

• Bonus points if you have experience in maritime, logistics, regulated service delivery, or technology-driven operations.

What’s our offer? 

Seafar is the only technology and service company in the smart shipping sector that is commercially operating at scale. By joining us, you will:

• Accelerate your career at a fast-growing, innovative maritime tech company, working on cutting-edge challenges that shape the future of shipping.

• Be part of building, from the ground up, the technology and operational backbone transforming the global maritime industry.

• Receive a competitive, tailored compensation package aligned with your experience and needs.

• Make a real impact, surrounded by a team of driven, hands-on colleagues who share your ambition.

• Celebrate true industry firsts: working at Seafar often feels like landing on the moon for the very first time.

Excited? 

• Don't hesitate to apply! Get on board because we need you over here!