Position: Reef Aquaria Design (RAD) Service Manager — South Florida (HQ)
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL (Headquarters)
Reports to: CEO, Operations Manager, Office Manager
Start Date: TBD
Hours: Full-Time | Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Schedule Notes: Occasional early mornings, evenings, and weekend hours may be required to support client needs, emergency response, installs, and events.
Job Description
Reef Aquaria Design is hiring an Aquarium Service Manager to lead and oversee our aquarium service operations based out of our Fort Lauderdale HQ, supporting our high-end residential and commercial client accounts throughout South Florida.
This role is responsible for ensuring our service routes are executed at the highest standard, service accounts remain healthy and stable, technicians are supported and held accountable, and clients receive excellent communication and responsiveness. This person will help protect and grow recurring revenue, improve operational systems, and ensure RAD continues to deliver best-in-class results in reef and specialty aquarium care.
This is a leadership role for someone who is highly organized, mechanically competent, client-ready, and deeply experienced in saltwater aquarium service.
Core Responsibilities
1) Aquarium Service Operations & Route Management
- Oversee and support RAD’s South Florida aquarium service accounts, ensuring exceptional standards on every system.
- Plan, manage, and optimize technician service routes to improve efficiency, consistency, and quality control.
- Maintain route coverage across the region (Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Palm Beach, and surrounding areas).
- Ensure service visits are completed on schedule and documented correctly (notes, photos, tasks, recommendations).
- Respond quickly to urgent tank issues and coordinate emergency service as needed.
- Maintain consistent system standards across client aquariums including:
- Water quality stability
- Equipment functionality
- Livestock health and observation
- Preventative maintenance schedules
- Cleanliness and presentation of aquariums and cabinetry
2) Team Leadership & Accountability
- Manage and support service technicians by:
- Setting expectations and quality standards
- Assigning routes and workloads
- Coaching and correcting performance
- Verifying tank health and service quality
- Assist in training and onboarding new service technicians.
- Build and maintain a positive, disciplined, high-performance culture based on reliability, professionalism, and pride in quality work.
- Help implement and enforce safety practices and proper handling for equipment, chemicals, and livestock.
3) Client Communication & Relationship Management
- Serve as a primary point of contact for service clients when escalation is needed.
- Ensure clients receive consistent updates, visit summaries, and recommended next steps.
- Identify issues early and proactively communicate solutions before problems grow.
- Build trust with high-end clientele through professionalism, responsiveness, and strong aquarium knowledge.
- Support client retention by addressing concerns quickly and improving overall service experience.
4) Service Quality Control & System Standards
- Inspect systems regularly to confirm stability and consistent standards across accounts.
- Ensure all critical system components are functioning properly, including:
- Pumps, plumbing, and flow systems
- Lighting, power management, and controllers
- Filtration systems (skimmers, fleece rollers, reactors, etc.)
- RO/DI water supply and ATO systems
- UV sterilizers and ozone (where applicable)
- Ensure consistent service protocols are followed across recurring accounts.
- Maintain strong awareness of coral and fish health indicators, quarantine needs, and risk prevention.
5) Inventory, Supplies, and Operational Support
- Coordinate service materials and inventory needed for technician routes:
- Salt mix, test supplies, dosing additives, consumables
- Replacement parts, plumbing fittings, pumps, and equipment
- Track and reduce waste and shrink by improving organization and accountability.
- Maintain clean, organized service storage systems at HQ.
- Coordinate ordering and restocking with leadership.
6) Upsells, Add-On Work, and Revenue Growth
- Identify opportunities for service upgrades and add-on work such as:
- Equipment replacements and installs
- Lighting upgrades
- Refurbishments / deep-clean resets
- Livestock additions and coral enhancements
- Automation and control improvements (Apex, etc.)
- Work with leadership to price add-on work correctly and protect margins.
- Support conversions of consultations into recurring service accounts.
7) Coordination With RAD Customs & Aquaculture Teams
- Coordinate closely with RAD Customs on:
- Install schedules
- New build turnovers into recurring service
- Equipment documentation and service readiness
- Coordinate with Aquaculture team as needed for:
- Coral and livestock sourcing
- Holding and transport planning
- Healthy and safe livestock integration into client systems
Qualifications & RequirementsRequired
- Strong experience with saltwater reef aquarium maintenance and troubleshooting
- Strong mechanical ability (pumps, plumbing, electrical troubleshooting basics)
- Strong organization and time management skills
- Strong client-facing communication skills (high-end residential + commercial professionalism)
- Ability to manage a team and hold technicians accountable
- Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and perform hands-on service work
Preferred
- Experience managing service routes and technician teams
- Experience with Neptune Apex and aquarium automation
- Coral husbandry experience (SPS/LPS/soft corals)
- Familiarity with premium reef equipment brands and advanced filtration systems
Compensation & Benefits
Base Salary: $70,000/year (Paid bi-weekly via direct deposit)
Performance Reviews: 90 days, 1 year, and periodically thereafter based on performance and company growth
Incentives
- Performance-based incentives tied to service KPIs such as:
- Route performance and completion
- Client retention and satisfaction
- Add-on revenue and margin contribution
- Quality control outcomes
- Eligible for commissions/incentives on services and add-ons including:
- Livestock sales
- Equipment/dry goods
- Refurbishments and installs
- Earned new service accounts
(Details provided in separate incentive plan documentation.)
Benefits
- 6 paid holidays
- 12 PTO days (accrual basis)
- 401(k) eligible after 90 days + up to 3% match
- Health and dental insurance (65% RAD / 35% employee)
- Company vehicle for work travel
- Company iPhone and computer
Physical, Mental, and Environmental Factors
- Frequent bending, lifting, walking, and hands-on mechanical work
- Work performed in residential, commercial, and warehouse environments throughout South Florida
- Fast-paced scheduling with high accountability and problem-solving expectations
- Occasional emergency response outside normal hours depending on aquarium needs
- Minimum 45-hour workweek expected for salaried personnel
Pay: From $70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
Experience:
- aquarium: 3 years (Required)
Work Location: In person
