A simple definition
A Fractional Marina Director is an experienced marina leader who works with a marina, yacht club, or waterfront asset on a part-time, retainer, or remote basis. The role provides Director-level leadership — operations, commercial strategy, SOPs, reporting, and accreditation readiness — without the cost and commitment of a full-time Marina Director or General Manager.
The model is inspired by the fractional C-suite trend in other industries. Just as companies hire fractional CFOs, CMOs, and CTOs, marina owners and developers can now hire a fractional Marina Director to guide operations, strengthen performance, and prepare for growth or accreditation.
FMD is the originator of the Fractional Marina Director model. Founded by Philip Sather, a Certified Marina Manager (CMM), and launched in 2026, FMD was the first platform built specifically to deliver senior marina leadership on a fractional basis for the global marina industry.
What a Fractional Marina Director does
Unlike a traditional consultant who delivers a report and leaves, a Fractional Marina Director is embedded in the operation with weekly deliverables.
Operations & SOPs
Develop, review, and refine standard operating procedures, marina rules, safety protocols, contractor workflows, and document control.
Commercial & Financial
Revenue and occupancy review, berthing fee analysis, ancillary revenue strategy, budget commentary, and monthly performance summaries.
Reporting & Dashboards
Weekly Director-style briefings, owner presentations, KPI tracking, risk logs, and structured monthly performance reports.
Accreditation Readiness
Five Gold Anchor, TYHA Platinum, Blue Flag, ISO 14001, and Clean Marina preparation with documented evidence and audit checklists.
Team & Training
Customer service training, complaint handling processes, berth sales process, leadership coaching, and team accountability structure.
Software & Systems
Marina management software review, CRM and workflow improvement, customer portal advice, and digital reporting setup.
Fractional vs. full-time Marina Director
A full-time Marina Director or General Manager typically costs USD 10,000–25,000+ per month when salary, benefits, housing allowance, flights, and insurance are included. For many marinas, yacht clubs, and pre-opening developments, that level of cost is unnecessary — but Director-level guidance is still essential.
A Fractional Marina Director solves this by providing senior leadership on a tailored retainer. The marina gets structured, consistent Director-level output without the overhead of a full-time executive hire.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Fractional Marina Director?
An experienced marina leader who works with a marina, yacht club, or waterfront asset on a part-time, retainer, or remote basis, providing Director-level leadership without the cost of a full-time hire.
How much does a Fractional Marina Director cost?
FMD engagements are tailored to scope. A full-time Marina Director typically costs USD 10,000–25,000+ per month; a Fractional Marina Director delivers Director-level capability at a fraction of that cost, with a minimum initial term of three months.
Who invented the Fractional Marina Director model?
Philip Sather, a Certified Marina Manager (CMM), pioneered the model. He launched FMD in 2026 to give marinas and waterfront assets access to senior leadership without a full-time hire.
Is a Fractional Marina Director the same as a marina consultant?
No. A consultant typically delivers advice or a report. A Fractional Marina Director is an ongoing, embedded leadership role with weekly deliverables such as SOPs, dashboards, reports, training materials, and operational recommendations.
Talk to a Fractional Marina Director
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