Director of Marine Operations - Washington State Ferries

About WSDOT

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal agency with a global reputation for excellence. Our dedicated workforce plans, designs, builds, and operates an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 20,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT manages the world's longest floating bridge, leads an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, holds the record for the world’s widest tunneling project, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

Washington State Ferries (WSF) is an essential part of Washington's transportation network. Every year, we carry nearly 20 million passengers across Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands on more than 400 sailings a day. Our dedicated teams with over 2,100 people work together to serve our communities and shape the future of ferry travel.

WSDOT is currently seeking a Director of Marine Operations for Washington State Ferries (WSF). As a member of WSF’s Executive Leadership Team, this position provides strategic direction and leadership for all operational elements of the business, including workforce development and readiness. The Director develops and implements policies, procedures, and standards to support safe, reliable, and efficient marine transportation service, and is accountable for ensuring fleet and terminal employees are qualified and trained.

This role advances WSF’s strategic priorities—Service Excellence, Improved Communication, and Empowered People—and models WSF’s values:
Serve, Grow, Trust, Respect, and Navigate.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, you/the Director of Marine Operations will:

• Lead daily ferry operations across 20 terminals and 21 vessels, ensuring safe, reliable service and workforce readiness.
• Ensure compliance with U.S. Coast Guard, Safety Management Systems, RCW, and applicable laws and regulations.
• Develop, implement, and enforce marine operational policies including MSO, SOPs, and safe working procedures.
• Direct incident and emergency response, serving in assigned Incident Command roles when activated.
• Establish fleetwide staffing and workforce development strategies to support training, recruitment, retention, and succession.
• Act as appointing authority for delegated personnel actions; manage leaders and promote accountability and effective communication.
• Lead strategic planning and budget oversight, ensuring fiscal responsibility and operational sustainability.
• Build partnerships with labor, stakeholders, and executive leadership.
• Uphold WSF’s strategic priorities (Service Excellence, Improved Communication, and Empowered People) and values (Serve, Grow, Trust, Respect, and Navigate), ensuring they are embedded in WSF’s culture through leadership actions.

To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required
:

• Strategic Marine Operations Leadership
  • Demonstrated experience leading complex marine, transportation, or logistics operations, including setting strategic direction, overseeing service delivery, and ensuring safe, reliable operations.
• Operational Policy & Performance Management
  • Proven ability to develop, implement, and oversee policies, procedures, and performance improvement initiatives within a large, complex organization.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Experience working effectively across multiple functional areas (e.g., operations, engineering, planning, finance, HR) to resolve operational challenges and achieve organizational goals.
• Executive Decision-Making & Accountability
  • Demonstrated responsibility for high-impact decisions related to operations, personnel, and budgets in a highly visible public or customer-facing environment.
• Workforce Leadership & Development
  • Experience managing and developing leadership teams and direct reports, including coaching, performance management, succession planning, and fostering employee engagement.
• Labor & Union Relations
  • Working knowledge of collective bargaining environments, including experience partnering with labor unions and applying labor…