Chief Operations Officer

Port of Vancouver USA•Vancouver, WA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

Looking to make a positive impact while building your leadership career in Southwest Washington? For more than a century, the Port of Vancouver USA has been a vital gateway for regional commerce, connecting local businesses to global markets through world-class marine, rail, and industrial operations. As our Chief Operations Officer, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the Port's future by driving operational excellence, advancing strategic initiatives, and ensuring the continued success of one of the Pacific Northwest's most dynamic and diverse ports. Beyond offering a meaningful career and competitive salaries, the Port provides unmatched benefits and work-life balance. We offer generous PTO, the potential for flexible work hours, comprehensive health insurance, an HRA to help with health-related expenses, retirement, life insurance, disability, savings plans, and more. We value teamwork, creativity, and customer service – and we center our organization on being a rewarding and supportive place to work. If you are interested in being part of a great team, click the Apply button.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, public administration, engineering, maritime administration, transportation, logistics, operations management, or a closely related field required.
An equivalent combination of education, training, and progressively responsible executive-level experience may be considered.
A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible operational leadership experience, including at least seven (7) years in a senior executive, director, or department leadership role overseeing complex operations, infrastructure, and personnel.
Experience in ports, transportation, maritime operations, logistics, public infrastructure, industrial operations, utilities, construction, engineering, or a closely related field is highly desirable.
Incumbent must have experience and strong proficiency in the development of appropriate strategies for the growth, shaping, and implementation of capital projects and its effect on port operations.
Valid, unrestricted driver’s license.
Ability to obtain and maintain a valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC Card) upon hire.
Ability to clearly assign responsibilities and set measurable goals.
Strong skills in monitoring workflow, tracking progress, and evaluating results using structured feedback methods.
Proven capacity to plan and organize work effectively.
Ability to motivate employees and support high performance.
Skilled in delivering timely, direct, and actionable feedback, both positive and corrective, while clearly communicating expectations.
Able to communicate clearly and succinctly in writing and verbally across all levels of the organization.
Able to maintain confidentiality and ensure accurate exchange of information.
Ability to read, write, understand and communicate clearly in English.
Confident in developing and delivering formal presentations in a variety of settings to individuals, small or large groups.
Excellent interpersonal communication skills, including maintaining open two-way dialogue with staff.
Excellent social skills for effective interaction with groups and individuals, including elected officials, officials of various government agencies and other opinion and decision makers.
Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines.
Able to balance short- and long-term priorities effectively while handling numerous, shifting, and often competing demands.
Able to gather relevant data from appropriate sources; identify all relevant factors or restrictions; apply logical reasoning to determine relationship of variables; develop results-oriented conclusions; test assumptions, observe results, and incorporate revisions or corrections.
Ability to logically think through and solve problems involving several variables.
Able to remain objective in gathering information and investigating issues.
Advanced computer skills with an emphasis on Microsoft Office suite.
Ability to sit, stand, bend and walk for extended periods throughout the workday.
Ability to see, hear, speak, and communicate effectively in person, over the phone, and via digital tools.
Ability to operate or otherwise use computer systems, software, and standard office technologies to complete essential job tasks.
Ability to review and interpret information in written and digital formats.
Ability to perform frequent, repetitive hand motions including grasping and handling.
Ability to occasionally move or reposition items weighing up to 25 lbs.
Ability to push/pull, reach, stoop, kneel, use stairs, and occasionally climb ladders.
Ability to drive on an as-needed basis.

Nice To Haves

Experience in ports, transportation, maritime operations, logistics, public infrastructure, industrial operations, utilities, construction, engineering, or a closely related field is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Overseeing the operational activities of the Port, ensuring safe, efficient, compliant, and financially responsible execution of operations.
Supervising the Director of Environmental Services, Director of Operations, Director of Facilities, Director of Engineering & Project Delivery, and Operations Program Manager.
Translating strategic objectives into operational execution while driving continuous improvement, operational excellence, and stakeholder satisfaction.
Serving as a key member of the executive leadership team and a strategic partner to the CEO, Board of Commissioners, tenants, labor, and stakeholders.
Promoting the Port's mission, vision, and values through collaborative leadership, effective communication, and organizational development while ensuring operational alignment with strategic priorities.
Directing, supervising, and overseeing the following Port operational departments and functions: Marine and terminal operations including receipt and delivery (R&D), rail, vessel, and berth operations; Fleet management and vehicle/equipment assets; Facilities maintenance and asset management; Engineering and project delivery, and infrastructure operations; Safety and risk, security, emergency response; Environmental services.
Ensuring continuity of operations and resiliency.
Establishing and maintaining operational procedures, controls, and communication processes that support effective decision-making, accountability, and organizational alignment.
Promoting the use of port-wide technology systems and tools.
Developing and maintaining an organizational structure that supports operational effectiveness, leadership continuity, and succession planning.
Translating port-wide strategic goals into actionable operational plans.
Leading cross-functional initiatives to improve efficiency, capacity, reliability, and customer service.
Supporting growth initiatives, new business opportunities, and asset optimization.
Partnering with the CEO on long-term operational planning and succession strategies.
Developing and establishing operating policies consistent with the CEO’s broad policies and objectives and ensuring their adequate execution.
Appraising and evaluating the results of overall operations regularly and systematically, and reporting these results to the CEO.
Using port technology systems and tools to evaluate operational performance on an ongoing basis and provides recommendations and reports to the CEO regarding organizational effectiveness, operational risks, and improvement opportunities.
Representing the Port in regional freight mobility, transportation infrastructure, and freight corridor development initiatives.
Promoting a culture of safety, accountability, and environmental stewardship.
Ensuring compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including: Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) and Coast Guard regulations; OSHA, WISHA, and workplace safety standards; Environmental permitting and sustainability requirements.
Overseeing emergency preparedness, incident response, and business continuity planning.
Developing, administering, and maintaining accountability for operational budgets across environmental services, operations, engineering, project delivery, facilities, security, and safety functions in coordination with Finance.
Driving cost discipline while maintaining service quality and reliability.
Supporting rate setting of the Port’s rail and marine tariffs.
Leading and developing high-performing operational leadership teams.
Fostering productive relationships with represented employees and labor organizations, including the ILWU and Port of Vancouver Trade Council (PVTC), and participating in collective bargaining negotiations as needed.
Championing leadership development, talent retention, and performance management.
Providing consistent mentoring to team managers to promote efficient and effective project delivery skills and development.
Supporting management development, leadership succession, employee engagement, and organizational effectiveness within areas of responsibility.
Overseeing operational input into capital planning, construction, and major maintenance projects.
Ensuring assets are maintained to support safe, reliable, and efficient port operations.
Coordinating operational readiness for new facilities, terminals, and infrastructure.
Serving as a senior operational representative with tenants, customers, railroads, and service providers.
Collaborating with public agencies and regional partners.
Serving as the operational advisor to the Port’s Board of Commissioners.
Maintaining open, proactive communication with tenants, customers, and stakeholders regarding operational activities, facilities, infrastructure, and property-related needs.
Promoting collaborative working relationships across all Port departments to support organizational goals and service excellence.