Director of Commercial Development and Investment

Port of Portland•Portland 97218, OR

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Port of Portland is seeking a Director of Commercial Development and Investment to shape the future of its marine terminals and industrial business parks. This role involves leading strategies for leasing, investment, development, and repositioning of these assets to create long-term financial and economic value. The Director will also advance broader industrial land and infrastructure priorities and collaborate with partners on long-term visions for key industrial areas. This is an opportunity for a leader experienced at the intersection of real estate, finance, economic development, and public policy to influence the region's industrial economy. The Director will set the vision and direction for Trade and Economic Development’s (TED) long-term commercial strategy, leasing, real estate development, and capital investment portfolio. This role leads strategies to optimize the performance and value of TED’s marine terminals and business parks through disciplined investment, complex transactions, redevelopment, and strategic partnerships. Working closely with the Marine Operations & Property Management Director and the Economic & Business Development Director, the Director aligns commercial strategy and capital investment with market opportunities, operational needs, and Port priorities. The Director serves as a key advisor on complex development, investment, and financial partnerships to deliver regional economic impact.

Requirements

Ten (10) + years of progressive experience in commercial real estate development, investment, or economic development.
Including 5+ years of management experience in complex public or private organizations.
Demonstrated success structuring complex transactions, public-private partnerships, or major capital projects.
Bachelor’s Degree – real estate, finance, economics, urban planning, or related field (additional experience may substitute for the education qualifications).

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in business, real estate, finance, economics, urban planning, or related field.
Transportation Worker Identification Credential
Advanced experience with Real estate development, financing, and investment strategies, including public-private partnerships and joint ventures.
Advanced experience with infrastructure and site readiness planning processes
Advanced experience with Federal, state, and local land-use and permitting regulations
Advanced experience with public-sector innovation tools (e.g., land banking, development corporations, impact investment funds)
Advanced experience with strategic and entrepreneurial leadership in public-sector real estate development and investment

Responsibilities

Direct TED’s commercial real estate development and investment functions, including industrial leasing strategy, redevelopment initiatives, commercial partnerships, capital investment planning, and portfolio optimization activities across marine terminals and business parks.
Lead teams responsible for identifying, evaluating, negotiating, and implementing revenue-generating development opportunities and strategic real estate transactions.
Lead and approve the structuring of complex transactions, ensuring alignment with Port-wide financial and policy objectives.
Oversee consultant teams, development advisors, and external partners engaged in planning, financial analysis, market analysis, and project implementation activities.
Develop and implement long-range commercial, leasing, redevelopment, and investment strategies for TED’s industrial and marine assets to support long-term financial sustainability and alignment with Port strategic objectives.
Lead portfolio-level financial analysis, capital planning, investment prioritization, and redevelopment funding strategies in partnership with Finance, Planning, and the Director of Marine Operations & Property Management.
Drive capital allocation decisions and oversee portfolio risk, return on investment, and cost optimization strategies, serving as a key advisor to executive leadership and the Commission on complex investment and financial matters.
Establish and steward high-value partnerships with developers, investors, and public agencies to leverage capital and accelerate project delivery.
Ensure development and investment initiatives are grounded in sound due diligence, market positioning, infrastructure and site-readiness needs, and land-use and permitting considerations.
Lead the development of a regional advisory framework to support traded-sector expansion, directing internal partners in its design and execution.
Represent the Port in forums involving industrial lands strategy, traded-sector competitiveness, infrastructure investment, site readiness, maritime redevelopment, and regional economic policy.
Promote integrated decision-making across TED functions to ensure alignment between real estate strategy, marine operations, property management, infrastructure planning, and economic development priorities.