What are the responsibilities and job description for the Harbor Master / Marina Manager position at Heritage Harbor?
Heritage Harbor Ottawa, a marina resort community, is seeking an experienced Marina Manager to oversee the operations of our rapidly expanding harbor facility. Opened in 2008, Heritage Harbor Marina has become recognized as a top boating facility in Illinois and the Midwest, having consistently earned Marinas.com “Elite Fleet” status in recent years. This is a significant career opportunity, as we are permitted and capable of growing our current 200 slip capacity to over 450. Nestled in the picturesque surroundings of Starved Rock Country, Illinois, our community offers a unique blend of upscale vacation and full-time homes situated around a privately-owned, 32-acre harbor on the Illinois River. This is a key role within the overall resort leadership staff. The opening is available due to the recent passing of our long-time Marina Manager.
Operational Leadership: The Marina Manager will manage day-to-day marina operations and directly supervise marina staff with the goal of delivering consistently exceptional experiences for our discerning boating customers. This will include daily and seasonal maintenance, to industry-premium levels, of the marina facility including docks and related structures, launch area, bath facilities, pool and adjacent areas. This also includes ensuring a safe and secure environment for customers, employees and the general public. The development, documentation and continual refinement of effective operating procedures will be key to success in this regard.
Staff management: The Manager will recruit, train, and supervise marina staff, fostering a sense of enjoyable yet serious mission to achieve high customer satisfaction levels. While many marina staff members will work seasonally and be in the early phases of their careers, we seek to instill superior work habits and attitudes, prepare them for overall success in later life, and provide meaningful and productive career paths within the marina, the wider resort, or with affiliated companies.
Organizational Cooperation: The Manager will coordinate marina activities and promotion with other senior resort staff including those responsible for sales of upscale vacation homes, restaurant operations, hospitality (overnight stay) operations and upland resort maintenance. The Manager will also coordinate operationally and organizationally with the resort’s affiliated marine services provider, which handles boat sales & repair, paddlesports rentals and a membership boating club within the marina.
Financial Management: The Manager will assume P&L responsibility for the marina business and related services including fuel sales, boat rentals and the ships’ store. This includes participation in the development of annual operating budgets, along with continued monitoring and reporting relative to those budgets. The Manager will be expected to lead operational improvements as needed to meet or exceed the related financial targets and projections.
Qualifications:
• Background in marina management or a related field is strongly preferred, however other proven operational and/or customer service leadership experiences will be considered.
• Customer-oriented “presence” and tactful interpersonal skills.
• Mechanical aptitude, with at least some experience with dock construction and electrical, plumbing, and/or motorized systems.
• Demonstrable organizational abilities.
• Familiarity with boating regulations, applicable marina facility regulations, and safety practices.
• Familiarity with budgeting and financial management.
• Customer-focused mindset with a passion for delivering exceptional service.