Business Development Manager - Seaward Services

Salary: $150,000 base plus commissions

Hornblower is seeking a Business Development Manager for our Seaward Services operation.

About You:

This person will be adaptable, dynamic, and embody Hornblower's RESPECT Service System.

About the Opportunity:

Seaward Services seeks a dynamic, results-oriented Business Development Manager to lead growth initiatives across government and commercial maritime markets. This role will focus on identifying, pursuing, and securing state, federal, commercial, and international contracting opportunities that align with SSI's operational strengths and long-term strategy.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Conduct detailed market and competitive analysis to identify growth opportunities in U.S. domestic and international maritime markets, including government, defense, and commercial sectors.
• Monitor federal and state procurement portals (e.g., SAM.gov, FedBizOps, state DOTs, and port authorities) for relevant RFPs, RFQs, and contracts.
• Lead business capture efforts and proposal development for federal (DoD, USCG, NOAA, MARAD) and state/local government opportunities.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance with solicitation requirements and company standards.
• Build and maintain relationships with key decision-makers in government agencies, prime contractors, and industry partners.
• Identify and develop commercial charter party agreements for vessel operations, logistics support, and special projects across domestic and international markets.
• Develop and maintain relationships with commercial clients, including energy companies, research organizations, offshore contractors, and others requiring operational support to identify short-term and long-term needs.
• Collaborate with operations and legal teams to finalize charter terms, risk allocation, insurance, and performance guarantees.
• Proactively explore new market segments, such as offshore wind, subsea cable installation, marine construction, research, and environmental response operations.
• Monitor global charter markets, identifying opportunities for vessel deployment, utilization optimization, and service diversification.
• Additional job duties as assigned.

Requirements & Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business, Maritime Studies, or a related field; an MBA is a plus and preferred.
• Proven track record in business development, capture management, or sales within the maritime, defense, or government contracting sectors.
• Demonstrated success in business development, sales, or a related role within the maritime industry, with a solid understanding of industry practices and customer needs.
• Demonstrated success in winning or managing contracts with U.S. federal, state, or international maritime organizations.
• Strong understanding of commercial maritime operations, market dynamics, and emerging industry trends.
• Knowledge of FAR/DFARS regulations, contract types, and compliance frameworks strongly preferred.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication abilities, with strong negotiation and interpersonal skills to build and maintain client relationships effectively.
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and other tools relevant to CRM and data tracking.
• Highly detail-oriented and organized, with the capability to manage multiple priorities with similar deadlines efficiently.
• A forward-thinking, proactive problem-solver who consistently anticipates and addresses internal and external customer needs.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaborative in a team environment, managing responsibilities autonomously in a fast-paced setting.
• Willingness to work in a fast-paced environment, demonstrating a flexible attitude and positive response to shifts in work direction and priorities.
• Ability to work with a strong sense of urgency and efficiency, ensuring tasks are completed on time and to a high standard.
• Ability to travel 50% of the time.

About Us:

Hornblower's passion is to provide amazing experiences on land and water. Our 40-year success through organic growth and acquisitions has resulted in a portfolio of over 25+ brands that welcome upwards of 30 million guests/riders annually. If you're an enthusiastic team player who thrives in an environment where communication, creativity, and cooperation are encouraged, this may just be the opportunity for you.

The RESPECT Service System embodies Hornblower's mission, vision, values and operating principles. By creating a company culture that puts RESPECT at its core, we believe it will drive us to achieve our goal of becoming a Global Experiences and Transportation Leader.

EEO / Disabled / Protected Veteran Employer. Hornblower is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and prohibit discrimination and/or harassment of any type, including but not limited to discrimination and or harassment based upon race, religion, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, pregnancy or relation medical conditions, childbirth, breastfeeding, parental status, veteran and/or military status, disability (physical or mental), medical condition, genetic information or characteristics, political affiliation, domestic violence survivor status, marital status, or other characteristics prohibited by federal, state, or local law. Additionally, as a federal, state, and local contractor, Hornblower complies with government regulations, including affirmative action responsibilities for qualified individuals, where and as they apply. The company also participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations.

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