Closing Agent

CLOSING AGENT— YACHT AND SHIP BROKERAGE

Stuart, Florida · Full-time · On-Site

About Spencer Christopher Yacht and Ship

Spencer Christopher Yacht and Ship Inc. is an independent, veteran-owned yacht and ship brokerage headquartered in Stuart, Florida, serving the Eastern Seaboard, the Bahamas, and Costa Rica. The firm is wholly owned and financed by Christopher Cooke, CPYB — a licensed and bonded Florida yacht and ship broker since 2000, a member of the International Yacht Brokers Association, and the holder of a 100-ton USCG Master’s license with towing endorsement.

We manage the full transaction lifecycle: valuation and pricing, listing preparation, photography and marketing, buyer and seller representation, sea trials, survey coordination and negotiation, escrow, closing, and documentation. Major decisions are put to a vote of staff and brokers, and every broker is supported by a Broker Liaison so that attention stays where it belongs — on the client and the vessel. Our sister company, Spencer Christopher Yacht Management, provides professional vessel care across key Florida counties and the Bahamas.

The Role

The Closing Agent owns the yacht and ship transaction from executed Purchase and Sale Agreement through funding, transfer of title, and delivery. This is the position that protects the deal: escrow handled correctly, documentation filed correctly, deadlines met, and every party — buyer, seller, broker, lender, surveyor, documentation agent — clear on what happens next.

It suits someone who takes satisfaction in a clean file. Vessel transactions carry moving parts that a residential closing does not: Coast Guard documentation and abstracts of title, preferred ship mortgages, sales and use tax exposure across state lines, offshore and foreign-flag deliveries, and survey findings that can reopen a negotiated price the week of closing. You will be given the authority to run that process properly.

Responsibilities

• Manage closing files end to end, from executed Purchase and Sale Agreement through funding, title transfer, and post-closing delivery of documents.
• Administer escrow in accordance with Florida yacht and ship broker trust account requirements — deposits, disbursements, closing statements, and reconciliation.
• Prepare and review closing documents, including bills of sale, closing statements, acceptance of vessel, and USCG National Vessel Documentation Center filings.
• Track contingencies and deadlines: acceptance of vessel, survey and sea trial windows, financing and insurance conditions, and deposit terms.
• Order and review abstracts of title and lien searches; obtain payoff letters and satisfactions of preferred ship mortgage.
• Coordinate with marine lenders, escrow and title agents, documentation agents, surveyors, transport providers, and closing attorneys.
• Handle state titling and registration, sales and use tax matters, and the documentation required for offshore closings, foreign-flag vessels, and cruising permits.
• Verify wire instructions and enforce fraud-prevention controls on every funds transfer.
• Maintain organized, auditable records in the company CRM and document management systems.
• Work alongside Broker Liaisons to keep listings, contracts, and client files current and complete.
• Resolve issues arising from survey findings, re-negotiation, delayed funding, and post-closing corrections.
• Identify and implement improvements to closing procedures, checklists, and templates.

Qualifications

• Required. Three or more years managing closings or transaction coordination in marine brokerage, title or real estate closing, escrow, or financial services.
• Working knowledge of escrow and trust account handling, disbursement, and payment verification.
• Proven ability to carry multiple concurrent transactions without losing track of deadlines or documents.
• Clear, precise written and verbal communication with clients, brokers, and outside professionals.
• Proficiency with standard office software, e-signature platforms, and digital document management.
• Authorization to work in the United States and ability to work on-site in Stuart, Florida.
• Preferred. Experience in marine, yacht, or ship brokerage; familiarity with IYBA forms, USCG documentation, Florida vessel titling, and marine sales and use tax.
• Prior work with marine lenders or other secured lending, including compliance and risk awareness.
• Florida notary commission, or willingness to obtain one.
• Experience with HubSpot or a comparable CRM.
• Coursework or a degree in business, finance, paralegal studies, or a related field.

What We Offer

• Compensation: $50,000 – $75,000 annually, commensurate with experience.
• Benefits — Flexible schedule, marine industry education and CPYB support.
• A voice in how the firm operates. Major decisions are voted on by staff and brokers.
• Direct access to ownership and to a broker with twenty-six years in the trade.

To Apply

Submit a résumé and a brief note describing the closing volume and transaction types you have handled. Applications are reviewed by Christopher Cooke.

Spencer Christopher Yacht and Ship Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.