Strategic Operations Manager

Join to apply for the Strategic Operations Manager role at Clark's Hawaii Tours
.

Clarks Hawaii Tours is creating a Strategic Operations Manager role for a builder—someone who has mastered operations inside structured environments and is ready to design and own systems in a growing, founder‑led company.

You will work directly with ownership, overseeing daily operations across Kauai, Kona, and future locations
, while supporting the launch of a new community shuttle service. This role offers real autonomy, fast decision‑making, and the opportunity to leave a lasting operational footprint.

This is a hands‑on leadership role
, not a desk‑only position. It is ideal for operators who thrive in the field and want their work to directly shape outcomes.

This role also requires strong people leadership and service awareness. Our operations are public‑facing and involve frontline teams, partners, and guests. The Strategic Operations Manager must be comfortable leading through ambiguity, supporting staff in high‑pressure situations, and ensuring that operational decisions align with a professional, guest‑first service experience.

This role is intentionally scoped for an experienced operations leader in the 4–7 year range who is ready to step into broader responsibility earlier than they might in a larger or more established organization. While the scope includes meaningful ownership, leadership, and visibility,
Compensation is aligned to a strong mid‑level manager, with meaningful growth potential as the business scales
. Candidates who are excited by growth, impact, and hands‑on leadership — rather than title or seniority alone — will be the strongest fit.

This role does not have a fixed office location.

The Strategic Operations Manager may work remotely from home or another suitable location with reliable internet and cell service within reasonable driving distance of the Kailua–Kona area. The role requires the ability to be onsite with limited notice at the Kona base yard or other operational locations to address time‑sensitive issues, conduct walk‑throughs, support frontline teams, and respond to live operational needs.

This position requires comfort working in a dynamic field environment
, including base yards, vehicles, ports, and remote coordination across islands.

• Lead daily tour operations across Kauai, Kona, and future locations
• Act as the point of escalation for real‑time operational and personnel‑related issues
• Manage driver scheduling, performance, and accountability
• Recruit, onboard, and train drivers in partnership with ownership

• Coordinate preventive maintenance with the Fleet Consultant
• Ensure compliance with DOT, PUC, Harbor, and DMV requirements
• Oversee the Kona base yard and future base yards with a focus on safety, organization, cleanliness, and security
• Make proactive, cost‑conscious recommendations to ownership

• Build and refine SOPs across all operational functions
• Apply systems thinking to improve workflows using Airtable, Notion, and Make
• Identify efficiencies and cost savings that improve profitability

• Support planning and execution for a new community shuttle service
• Translate guest feedback and operational data into improvements

• 4–7 years of operations leadership experience (multi‑unit retail, franchise operations, hospitality, logistics, fleet, or transportation)
• Experienced running live operations with people, assets, and real‑time decisions
• Strong interpersonal leadership skills with the ability to manage frontline teams in service environments
• Comfortable building systems rather than waiting for them to be handed to you
• Tech‑savvy and adaptable to modern tools and automation
• Hands‑on leader with strong accountability and follow‑through
• Based in Kona or willing to relocate
• Competitive base salary aligned with the Hawaii market
• Performance‑based bonus opportunity
• Full benefits package (details to be discussed with qualified candidates)
• Inter‑island travel expenses and applicable stipends covered
• Relocation completion bonus available after 12 months for off‑island…