Director Treasury

Port Houston•Houston, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Provides strategic leadership and executive oversight for the treasury and capital finance function, establishing and optimizing enterprise-class capabilities in debt portfolio management, liquidity optimization, cash management, investments, banking relationships, pension and post-retirement benefit finance, regulatory compliance, treasury policy governance, and robust financial controls that safeguard assets and ensure fiduciary accountability. Partners with senior management and stakeholders to develop forward-looking treasury strategies powered by advanced analytics, predictive modeling, and technology platforms that enhance decision-making, optimize capital allocation, and create competitive advantage. Ensures all strategies and processes align with internal control frameworks, compliance requirements, and risk-mitigation standards. Drives modernization of the treasury technology stack, including implementation and optimization of integrated Treasury Management platforms, to enable real-time visibility, automated workflows, control integrity, and data-driven strategic initiatives. Leads a high-performing treasury team in delivering value through technological innovation, rigorous financial analysis, strict adherence to financial controls, and proactive risk management to support the organization's mission of efficient infrastructure investment and sustainable value creation. Directs staff responsible for daily cash and investment management, depository and custodial banking services, bank and rating agency relations, mitigating credit and financial risk exposures, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, policies, and bond covenants, and strategies to optimize liquidity. Establishes, monitors, and continuously strengthens financial controls across cash handling, investment activities, debt administration, and treasury operations to ensure transparency, accuracy, and audit readiness.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from a public or accredited private academic institution required, with a major in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, or related field preferred
Master's degree or MBA strongly preferred
8+ years of progressive financial and treasury management experience required, including demonstrated expertise in treasury technology, financial analysis, or capital markets
Supervisory and/or executive leadership experience required
Demonstrated experience with enterprise treasury platforms (e.g., Kyriba, Broadridge, GTreasury) preferred
Experience with financial forecasting models, data analytics platforms, and business intelligence tools preferred
Public sector, municipal finance, or port authority experience a plus
Advanced knowledge of treasury and capital markets functions, including debt management, liquidity optimization, cash management, banking services, and investment management
Advanced knowledge of financial risk management principles and practices
Comprehensive knowledge of debt instruments, investment vehicles, capital structure optimization, and both traditional and innovative financing approaches
Knowledge of pension and benefit plan administration, fiduciary requirements, and regulatory compliance
Knowledge of business intelligence tools, data analytics, predictive modeling, and financial forecasting methodologies
Advanced proficiency with enterprise treasury platforms and demonstrated ability to optimize system functionality and drive user adoption
Strong data literacy and ability to interpret complex analytical outputs and translate them into business insights
Experience designing and implementing financial dashboards, analytics frameworks, and reporting solutions
Ability to define technology requirements and partner with IT and vendors on system implementations and enhancements
Understanding of cybersecurity, data governance, and compliance requirements as they relate to financial systems and sensitive data
Exceptional leadership and team development capabilities; ability to build, motivate, and retain high-performing teams
Strategic thinking and long-term planning abilities; capacity to envision future treasury capabilities and roadmaps
Excellent critical thinking, problem-solving, and strategic decision-making skills
Strong project management and change management capabilities
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships across organizational levels and with external stakeholders
Advanced written and verbal communication skills, including ability to create executive presentations and translate complex financial information for diverse audiences
Strong financial analysis and modeling capabilities
Ability to synthesize large datasets and complex information into clear, actionable recommendations
Excellent presentation and stakeholder engagement skills
Ability to negotiate and interpret complex legal agreements and debt documentation
High level of attention to detail and commitment to financial accuracy and compliance
Ability to work strategically and independently while managing multiple complex initiatives
Strong organizational, prioritization, and time management skills
Commitment to professional development and staying current with treasury industry trends and best practices
Demonstrated integrity, sound judgment, and adherence to ethical standards
Ability to foster collaborative relationships and work effectively across departmental and organizational boundaries
Ability to Conceptualize
Commitment to Action
Composure Under Stress
Effective Communication

Responsibilities

Direct and develop a treasury team, establishing clear accountability frameworks, performance metrics, and professional development pathways aligned with organizational excellence standards
Establish departmental goals, objectives, and performance standards that balance operational rigor with strategic innovation; track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure treasury value creation
Conduct regular performance evaluations, provide coaching and mentorship, and foster a culture of continuous learning in technology, finance, and analytics
Build a treasury organization capable of leveraging advanced analytics and technology to drive competitive advantage and organizational value
Oversee identification, measurement, and mitigation of treasury-related financial risks, including interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and foreign exchange exposure
Establish policies, procedures, and internal financial controls to ensure compliance with debt covenants, bond indentures, legal agreements, and applicable regulatory requirements (e.g., GASB, Texas Pension Review Board, Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board)
Maintain regulatory compliance across all treasury activities; ensure accurate bond disclosures and timely submissions to government agencies and rating organizations
Manage the Authority’s bond arbitrage liability and engage outside bond counsel for the reporting and timely payment of any amounts due to the IRS
Lead and organize IRS audit requests, engage disclosure and tax counsel, assemble documentation for the stated bond issue under audit and file report to the IRS in accordance with the request
Lead the strategic implementation, optimization, and continuous improvement of enterprise treasury platforms (e.g., Kyriba or other), ensuring full utilization of capabilities for cash management, liquidity forecasting, and reporting
Own the technology roadmap for the treasury department; evaluate, recommend, and oversee adoption of emerging treasury technologies and analytical tools to enhance efficiency and decision-making
Establish data governance frameworks, data quality standards, and system integration protocols to ensure accurate, timely, and accessible financial information across treasury systems
Collaborate with IT leadership and external vendors to ensure systems security, compliance, business continuity, and scalability to support organizational growth
Champion automation and process optimization initiatives to reduce manual workload, improve accuracy, and free resources for higher-value strategic analysis
Collaborate with Financial Planning and Analysis to establish enterprise-wide cash flow forecasting protocols that integrate operational data with strategic plans to provide management with proactive insights on liquidity and funding requirements
Develop scenario analysis and stress-testing frameworks to evaluate the impact of market conditions, operational changes, and strategic initiatives on treasury position and financial flexibility
Create advanced analytics dashboards and reporting tools that enable real-time treasury visibility and support agile decision-making by senior management
Conduct continuous analysis and variance reviews of forecasts against actual results; refine models and assumptions to improve prediction accuracy and reliability
Responsible for leading and collaborating with internal and external parties to develop integrated financing strategies that optimize the capital structure, minimize cost of capital, and maximize financial flexibility
Lead debt portfolio management activities, including negotiating and executing short-term and long-term financing transactions, refinancing opportunities, covenant compliance monitoring, and strategic issuance planning aligned with capital improvement program implementation
Oversee bond disclosures, debt documentation, and required filings with rating agencies, regulatory bodies, and market participants to maintain market access and organizational transparency
Manage banking relationships and rating agency relations to support favorable borrowing terms, operational efficiency, and strategic opportunities
Establish and maintain investment policies and procedures; evaluate options and responsible for the investment for the $700M+ of general funds, asset allocation strategies, and performance benchmarks to optimize returns within risk parameters
Oversee comprehensive administration of defined benefit pension plans, other postemployment benefits (OPEB) trusts, defined contribution 401(a) plans, and deferred compensation 457(b) plans
Consult with pension representatives, actuaries, investment managers, external auditors, and legal counsel on asset allocation, investment manager selection, plan amendments, and compliance with accounting standards
Monitor plan performance against investment benchmarks and liability metrics; conduct variance analyses and provide recommendations for optimizing plan funding and returns
Create compelling financial analyses, presentations, and reports that translate complex treasury activities into clear strategic insights for senior management and Board stakeholders
Develop ad-hoc financial analyses to support strategic decision-making, including liquidity impact assessments, capital optimization opportunities, and cost-benefit analyses of financing alternatives
Participate in the Speakers Bureau and community engagement initiatives to enhance organizational visibility and communicate Port Houston's economic impact and strategic importance
Foster collaborative relationships with commercial banks, investment banks, rating agencies, and external consultants to leverage market intelligence and advance strategic opportunities
Serve as executive liaison between treasury operations and senior leadership on matters affecting organizational financial strategy and positioning
Act as a member of the Port Houston management team, contributing to the development and execution of the Strategic Plan and enterprise initiatives
Ensure departmental budgets are managed effectively; allocate resources efficiently to support operational excellence and strategic priorities
Champion organizational commitment to financial transparency, including compliance with the Transparency Stars Program and proactive communication of financial performance
Uphold Port Houston core values (respect, excellence, accountability, diligence, and you) in all treasury activities and team interactions
Perform related duties as required by senior management