About Us
Sunlover Reef Cruises is one of Cairns' leading Great Barrier Reef tourism operators. We deliver unforgettable reef and island experiences to Moore Reef Pontoon and Fitzroy Island every day, including glass-bottom boat tours, guided snorkelling, scuba diving, and premium optional activities. Safety, professionalism, and exceptional guest experiences sit at the heart of everything we do.
The Opportunity
We are seeking a hands-on, capable Operations Manager to join our leadership team. This is not a desk-only role. You will be closely involved in daily operations, leading people, managing vessels, and ensuring smooth delivery in a fast-paced marine environment.
This role will suit a strong marine professional who enjoys balancing compliance, leadership, and practical operations.
What You'll Be Doing
No two days are the same, but your core responsibilities will include:
* Overseeing day-to-day reef and island cruise operations to ensure safe, efficient, and seamless service delivery
* Ensuring full compliance with AMSA, MSQ, GBRMPA, diving standards, and WHS requirements
* Leading, rostering, and managing crew in line with passenger numbers and operational activities
* Overseeing snorkelling and diving operations to ensure best-practice safety procedures are followed
* Managing stock control, catering logistics, and passenger movements
* Monitoring operational costs while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and onboard revenue
* Recruiting, training, and developing high-performing marine and operational teams
* Working closely with Sales, Reservations, and Marketing teams to align operations with guest expectations
* Maintaining strong working relationships with regulatory authorities, contractors, and key stakeholders
About You
To succeed in this role, you will bring:
* Master IV (Master <45m Near Coastal) – essential
* Proven management experience in marine tourism, vessel operations, or a similar operational environment
* Strong knowledge of reef-based operations, marine compliance, and safety systems
* Excellent leadership, communication, and organisational skills
* A proactive, solutions-focused approach and the ability to remain calm under pressure
* Solid computer skills, particularly Microsoft Word and Excel
* A genuine passion for marine tourism and delivering exceptional guest experiences
Why Join Sunlover Reef Cruises?
* Work in one of the world's most iconic marine environments
* Be part of a professional, safety-focused, and supportive leadership team
* Play a key role in shaping daily operations and the future of our reef experiences
* Cairns-based role offering variety, responsibility, and real operational impact
If you are an experienced marine professional with a Master IV ticket and a passion for leading high-performing teams, we would love to hear from you.