Fleet Business Operations Specialist

$79,400 - $99,300/Yr

Saildrone - Alameda, CA

Full-time - Mid Level

Alameda, CA

Telecommunications

About the position

At Saildrone, we sustainably explore, map, and monitor the oceans to understand, protect, and preserve our world. We provide real-time access to critical data from any ocean on earth, 24/7/365, and use proprietary software applications to transform that data into actionable insights and intelligence. Our fleet of uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs), powered by renewable wind and solar power, have a minimal carbon footprint and operate without the need for a crewed support vessel. Saildrone works with governments, civil agencies, foundations, universities, and private companies around the globe to drive better information about our oceans and seas-from sailing into the eye of a category 4 hurricane to obtain new data about how storms intensify, collecting new CO2 data in hard-to-reach areas, and counting fish biomass to inform sustainable fishery management, to mapping the ocean floor and reducing illegal fishing and drug trafficking. As a result of our work, we have been included on TIME's List of the 100 Most Influential Companies in 2024, Fast Company's list of the "World's Most Innovative Companies for 2022," and earned the Ocean Awards' Innovation Award, presented by the Blue Marine Foundation. Saildrone's hurricane mission was included as one of The New York Times' "Top 21 Things that happened (for the first time) in 2021" and Popular Science's "100 Greatest Innovations of 2021," and entered into the Guinness Book of World Records for recording the "highest windspeed recorded by a USV." We are based in Alameda, CA, with offices in Washington DC and St. Petersburg, FL, and operate our missions worldwide. Saildrone is backed by top-tier investors in the frontier tech and sustainability sectors, including Social Capital, Capricorn, Lux Capital, BOND Capital, and Emerson Collective. This is an exciting opportunity with a fast-growing team at the cutting-edge intersection of big data services and autonomous hardware. You will be an integral part of a high-performing multi-disciplinary team that delivers high impact for humanity and future generations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day financial operations of the fleet organization, including budgeting, forecasting, PO creation, invoice approvals, and cost reconciliation.
• Manage Corporate Credit Card spending and align with required tracking tools for proper cost accounting.
• Support the finance team in maintaining accurate and timely financial reporting and cost accounting.
• Monitor key financial metrics, analyze variances, and assist in the preparation of financial statements.
• Setup new vendors into Netsuite.
• Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency and reduce costs within financial operations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to streamline workflows and enhance financial controls.
• Lead or participate in finance-related system implementation or upgrades, ensuring alignment with business needs.
• Monitor and update drone tracking tools which capture the functional drone utilization for a mission life cycle.
• Create reports to senior leadership regarding defined KPI's related to drone health and mission success.
• Manage drone communications tracking and invoicing related to all communication and data transfer systems from the drone via satellite based systems (Certus & Starlink).
• Help administer some of the operational systems used by the department.
• Work closely with senior leadership to align financial operations with company goals and strategies.
• Provide recommendations on business strategies based on financial performance analysis.
• Ensure adherence to financial regulations, internal controls, and company policies, working with Financial teams.
• Identify potential risks in financial operations and recommend mitigation strategies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Operations Research, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in financial operations, business analysis, or a similar role.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex financial data.
• Proficiency in financial software (ERP systems, Netsuite, SAP) and advanced MS Excel skills.
• Experience with process improvement initiatives, related to business administration processes.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work cross-functionally.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management abilities.

Nice-to-haves

• Strong financial acumen and business operations knowledge.
• High throughput administrator of financial and operational processes.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative in a fast-paced environment.
• Strategic thinker with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Collaborative team player with a solution-oriented mindset.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision plans for you and your dependents.
• Short and relaxing ferry ride from the Ferry Building for SF residents.
• Enhanced Parental Leave Programs.
• Competitive benefits including excellent medical, life insurance, 401k plan.