About this role
Overview Who We Are: Crowley is a privately held, U.S.-owned and operated company serving the maritime, logistics and energy industries with scale in 36 nations and island territories. Our Purpose is to bravely advance what’s possible to elevate people and planet, guided by our values of Integrity, Sustainability and Drive. With more than $3 billion in annual revenue, our solutions provide integrated supply chains with a commitment to safety and reliability in our ocean and land transportation services and facilities. We set high standards, operate with discipline, and continuously improve how we work. Performance, operational excellence and innovation drive how we compete, grow and deliver to our customers and partners. Work Arrangement: Hybrid What You'll Do: Leads execution of Crowley’s MARAD Vessel Acquisition Management (VAM) program, integrating technical ship management, vessel availability and operational readiness with complex contractual, financial and stakeholder requirements. Accountable for program execution, customer outcomes, risk governance, commercial discipline and effective leadership across multiple concurrent workstreams. Responsibilities Key Responsibilities: Serve as Crowley’s principal operational program interface with MARAD for VAM, establishing clear expectations, decision pathways and credible reporting on schedule, cost, contractual performance and emerging risks. Lead a multidisciplinary program team and coordinate projects, engineering, operations, contracts, finance, procurement, quality, crewing, commercial maritime stakeholders and external service providers; clarify accountability and responsibilities across functional interfaces. Direct planning and execution of assigned vessel acquisition support, reflagging, upgrades and vessel management activities, including readiness, maintenance, repair, activation and status-transition requirements in accordance with applicable contracts and government tasking. Maintain strong working knowledge of government contracting principles, contract structures, scope interpretation and administration, particularly as they relate to cost-reimbursable work, fixed-price requirements, task orders and contract modifications. Apply practical knowledge of commercial maritime practices, including vessel brokerage, acquisition, chartering, vessel valuations and market conditions, to support program planning, informed decision-making and coordination with commercial specialists and government stakeholders. Own integrated program plans and forward-looking forecasts, including labor, reimbursable work, daily-rate activities, acquisition-related support, shipyard work and changes in vessel status as applicable. Exercise rigorous contract discipline by identifying scope changes, funding constraints, period-of-performance issues, notice requirements, supporting documentation and matters requiring contracting-officer direction. Ensure contractual obligations, deliverables and government approval requirements are understood and consistently executed. Lead complex shipyard and repair execution oversight, managing schedule dependencies, growth work, vendor performance, technical decisions and dispute avoidance in partnership with Contracts and Legal. Identify and elevate systemic delivery, contractual and commercial risks early, including capacity constraints, unclear government direction, vessel availability, market conditions, vessel condition uncertainty, cash-flow exposure and reputational issues. Establish reliable operational, contractual and financial performance reviews, action tracking, executive reporting and decision-ready customer communications that support transparency, accountability and timely resolution of issues. Ensure applicable maritime regulatory, safety, environmental, security, classification society, flag-state and government contractual requirements are met, and corrective actions are effectively implemented and closed. Develop capable subordinate leaders and resilient processes that strengthen organizational accountability, reduce recurring executive intervention and enable consistent performance during high-demand periods. Qualifications Experience: 12+ years of progressive maritime program, fleet operations or technical management experience, including significant leadership of complex, multi-stakeholder programs and accountability for budgets, contracts and personnel. Experience with MARAD, government ship management, federal contracting and major shipyard projects strongly preferred. Licensed maritime experience is valued but not mandatory where equivalent executive program leadership is demonstrated. Required Qualifications: Demonstrated leadership experience managing complex maritime operations, government programs or vessel management contracts with responsibility for operational performance, financial results and customer relationships. Strong working knowledge of federal government contracting principles, including contract interpretation, scope management, funding controls, contractual modifications, period-of-performance requirements and compliance obligations. Experience managing multidisciplinary teams, coordinating technical and commercial stakeholders, and overseeing complex maritime projects or vessel operations. Demonstrated ability to manage program budgets, forecasts, financial performance, operational risks and contractual deliverables. Strong communication, negotiation, problem-solving and leadership skills, with the ability to engage effectively with senior government representatives, commercial partners and executive leadership. Preferred Qualifications: Direct experience supporting MARAD, MSC or comparable federal maritime programs, particularly those involving vessel acquisition, management, maintenance, readiness or activation. Knowledge or experience in commercial maritime transactions, including vessel brokerage, chartering, vessel acquisitions, valuations and associated contractual arrangements. Familiarity with vessel reflagging, conversion, acquisition support and the commercial considerations associated with government vessel management programs. Experience administering complex government maritime contracts involving multiple contract line items, cost-reimbursable activities, fixed-price services, shipyard work and evolving government requirements. Experience navigating contractual disputes, funding challenges, scope changes and commercial risks in coordination with Contracts, Finance and Legal. Education & Credentials: Bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture, Marine Transportation, Maritime Business, Engineering, Business or related field preferred. Equivalent combination of substantial maritime experience, professional qualifications and demonstrated leadership may be considered, consistent with company policy. Technical Skills: Advanced proficiency in MS Projects, Excel and Microsoft Office; ability to interpret vessel technical records, maintenance plans, cost reports, schedules, contractual requirements and operational dashboards. Familiarity with maritime maintenance (Nautical Systems) and enterprise financial (Cost Point) systems preferred. Competencies: Accountability; sound judgment; financial and contract acumen; customer leadership; risk identification and escalation; talent development; cross-functional influence; operational planning; clear executive communication; continuous improvement. Working Conditions: Office, vessel and shipyard environments; domestic travel and occasional irregular hours for vessel operations and emergent events. May require ladder climbing and access to restricted shipboard spaces, subject to applicable safety requirements and reasonable accommodation. What We Offer? We inspire top talent by offering a comprehensive and competitive package that supports the diverse needs of our people—on land, at sea, in offices, and remotely. Our Total Rewards include: Competitive pay with recognition programs Comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability coverage, and paid vacation and holidays Leave and family support: parental leave and sick leave Learning and growth: access to training and development for continuous skill development Well-being resources: Employee Assistance Program, wellness program, and gym membership discounts At Crowley, we invest in you—your success, your health, and your future. #LI-Hybrid