Operations Manager

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 Operations Lead, you’ll play a pivotal role in scaling the core of our business: activating remote navigation. You’ll connect vessels, captains, and technology through Seafar’s platform and build the operational backbone that allows us to grow at speed. Thanks to your leadership, vessels won’t just sail better,  they’ll sail into the future. 

Your mission 

As Operations Lead, you turn signed deals into operational success. You own the full operational chain: from system integration and vessel activation to remote operator deployment, regulatory compliance, and daily ROC operations. Your goal is clear: grow the number of remote navigation hours at scale, while building a reliable and scalable operations organization. 

You are responsible for leading teams across System Integration and Remote Operations. Your work closely with the QHSE and Regulatory department to ensuring both customers and Seafar’s internal teams succeed.  Whether it’s coordinating a ROC launch, overseeing safety and compliance, or building systems for captain scheduling, you combine strategic leadership with hands-on execution. 

This is a role for a proven builder: someone who can set direction, lead people, and create scalable processes that balance customer focus with operational excellence. 

Core responsibilities 

Customer activation and journey ownership 

• Take full ownership of the operational customer journey post-signature: from integration and onboarding to full operational ramp-up. 

• Lead customer communication to align on implementation scope, timelines, and success criteria. 

• Ensure a smooth transition from project delivery to stable daily operations. 

• Monitor satisfaction and retention, identifying opportunities for growth and expansion. 

Operational leadership and scaling 

• Manage and optimize daily remote navigation operations from Seafar’s ROCs. 

• Forecast demand, match captains to vessels, resolve operational issues, and maximize billable hours. 

• Increase operational performance against the company’s primary KPI: growth in active, billable remote navigation hours. 

• Build and continuously improve scalable processes for vessel activation, onboarding, and crew deployment. 

• Be present on-site, at customer vessels, ROCs, or integration projects, when hands-on support is required. 

Team leadership and coordination 

• Lead and coordinate Seafar’s System Integration and Remote Operations teams and coordinate QHSE and Regulatory affairs. 

• Supervise communication on the customer journey in obtaining permits, identify together with the customer the permit priorities  

• Oversee implementation of safety procedures and ensure training quality for operators and captains. 

• Recruit, coach, and schedule Seafar’s remote captains, or support customers in deploying their own ROC operators. 

• Build a culture of accountability, customer focus, and continuous improvement within Operations. 

Cross-functional and strategic alignment 

• Partner with Sales during presales to ensure solutions are operationally viable. 

• Work closely with Product and Tech to improve tools and reduce operational friction. 

• Collaborate with HR to recruit and retain top operational talent. 

• Support commercial growth by identifying upsell opportunities and enabling Sales to expand accounts. 

Does this sounds like you? 

• 7–10 years of experience in Operations, Customer Success, or Service Delivery leadership, ideally within a startup or high-growth scale-up. 

• Proven people leader: you know how to inspire, motivate, and grow high-performing teams across multiple disciplines. 

• Strong track record in operational scaling, building processes, and balancing strategy with hands-on problem solving. 

• Hands-on and decisive: you thrive in complex environments where execution matters as much as planning. 

• Experience in industries with supply-demand dynamics (marketplaces, logistics, staffing, mobility, or shift-based services) is a strong plus. 

• Calm under pressure, resilient in uncertainty, and improvement-driven. 

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

• Bonus points if you have experience in maritime, logistics, QHSE, remote operations, or regulated service delivery. 

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!