Chief Trade and Economic Development Officer

Portland, OR, United States

Salary: $183,097.00 - $320,417.00 Annually

Location : Portland 97218, OR

Job Type: Full-Time Administrative

Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number: 01946

Division: Trade & Economic Development

Department: Trade & Equitable Development

Opening Date: 06/14/2024

Closing Date: 7/5/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

FLSA: Exempt

The Position

The Port of Portland is hiring for a Chief Trade & Economic Development Officer!

About Us

At the Port of Portland, we use everything we have - our three airports, four marine terminals, five business parks, and all the resources, expertise, and experience behind them - to move with purpose, connecting people with powerful opportunities and creating value for our region.

Our mission is to build shared prosperity for the region through travel, trade and economic development. We know that every person we hire, business we work with, contract we sign and decision we make is a chance to make someone's life better. And we'll use our power and influence to pull down barriers, unlock new opportunities, ensure more people share in our region's success and include those who have been excluded in the past. With YOUR help - together with our partners, customers, and community - we'll help drive meaningful change!

About the Role

We are seeking an outstanding leader to become our next Chief Trade & Economic Development Officer (CTEDO). The CTEDO should have a proven track record for providing strategic leadership and business direction to internal and external customers, while leading with integrity and a commitment to equity and inclusion. The successful candidate will be an authentic leader and a big picture thinker offering enterprise-wide solutions. They should be analytical, results oriented and collaborative in nature, and will serve as a thought partner with the executive leadership team and Port commissioners.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Chief Trade & Economic Development Officer (CTEDO) oversees all functions of the Port's General Fund business line, driving strategic outcomes aligned to the Port's mission of shared prosperity through trade, travel and economic development. The CTEDO will develop and execute strategies to enhance trade, promote economic growth and optimize all elements of the general fund to ensure a sustainable cost structure and provide regional and statewide leadership on matters related to trade, industrial lands, economic development, and maritime commerce. The CTEDO leads a highly skilled team of five department directors and a team of up to 125 members that comprise the Business Development & Properties, Economic Development, Harbor Environmental, Marine Operations and Navigation functions.

For consideration, please complete the entire online employment application and be sure to include a detailed resume and a cover letter that demonstrates why you would be the best person for the position.

Essential Job Duties

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Chief Trade & Economic Development Officer contributes to the organization's success by demonstrating Port values while successfully achieving or exceeding performance goals and objectives for the following major job functions.

Contribute to the strategic and business direction of the Port and provide thought leadership and collaborative support to the Commission, Executive Director and colleagues on the Executive Team. Engage effectively to assure business and strategic decisions reflect thoughtful analysis and input.

In partnership with finance, oversee the management and strategic planning of the Port's general fund to ensure financial health and sustainability, and ensure a sustainable cost structure. Identify and pursue funding opportunities that may include grants, private/public partnerships and investments to support organizational initiatives.

Provide strategic direction and oversight to ensure sustainable economic growth and development. Drive internal and external leadership of the Port's international trade and economic development programs and initiatives to create new business opportunities, foster sustainable growth and regional shared prosperity, with a focus on increasing access to quality jobs and wealth for Black, Indigenous, people of color, low income and differently-abled communities. Promote and facilitate international trade activities to expand market access and increase import and export opportunities.

Maximize the Port's industrial real estate portfolio to assure strategic planning goals and sustainable financial results are met for the Port and the region. Develop Port assets for maximum economic outcomes with clear metrics focused on quality jobs and wealth generation. Lead efforts to leverage public and private sector investments in Port development projects that are relevant and responsive to market demand and generate economic uplift for communities experiencing widening income and wealth disparities. Create financially sustainable pathways reflecting Port General Fund capital constraints and maximizing grant support.

Maximize the Port's marine business portfolio to achieve financial sustainability while expanding and growing Oregon's access to global markets. Develop, drive and assure a more sustainable path for the container business and be willing to lead change to assure improvement in the Port's General Fund.

Provide external and internal leadership for the Port's navigation program including capital asset allocation, operations, contractual guidance with the Corps of Engineers associated with Dredge Oregon operations.

Direct the work of the Port's Lower Willamette Program to achieve comprehensive goals related to cost management, liability management, cleanup project implementation, creative financing to assure a financially sustainable path over the long term.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Successful candidates must be visionary, mission driven and skilled at using sound judgement, in order to make thoughtful and practical recommendations to executive leadership, the Commission and stakeholders. In addition to being strategic and tactical, the CTEDO must be a leader with integrity, values and humility. Of primary importance, the Port is seeking a CTEDO who embraces an authentic servant leadership style, possesses strong emotional intelligence and understands and prioritizes the critical importance that people play in building a successful organization.

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Political Science, Marketing or Real Estate Development, or the equivalent combination of education and/or relevant experience.

At least fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible and proven senior-level management and leadership experience within a government, private sector, or non-profit organization, preferably leading multiple departments and preferably in at least one of the disciplines this position oversees, such as business and economic development, international trade, industrial lands, and maritime commerce.

Demonstrated knowledge: Proven track record of exceptional leadership and strategic planning in a complex, multidisciplinary environment.

Strong working knowledge and solid understanding in the following areas: commercial development and maritime activities; public, private, partnerships; financial acumen; processes and practices; regulatory matters with a focus on environmental compliance and cleanup; labor practices and trends; global economics, business, and international trade. In addition, business development, industrial lands, maritime commerce, economic development, real estate, and public policy.

Demonstrated skills: Proven and inclusive people leader who is adept at assessing, recruiting and retaining exceptional talent through motivating, coaching and mentoring team members in a manner that promotes collaborations, accountability, professional development and growth.

Demonstrated commitment to valuing differences among individuals and a passion for being inclusive. Ability to lead and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, and advocate for cultural change and openness to new ideals and approaches to building an outstanding and high-performing team.

Ability for long-term planning, execution of complex commercial strategies and visioning, international trade, economic development, industrial lands, marketing, real estate development coupled with maritime commerce and environmental complexity. Strong analytical ability to interpret economic, trade and financial data.

Ability to multi-task on a broad range of complex issues at any given time. Strong negotiation skills and problem solving. Ability to manage people, coalitions, and operate at the technical detail level with strong understanding of the big picture.

Proven leadership and management in carrying out the vision, mission, goals and objectives; skill in communicating effectively with individuals or groups across a spectrum of technical capabilities; plan, organize and direct work and resources to achieve desired outcomes; ability to work effectively as part of a management team.

Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with executive leadership, senior management, and staff, understanding the dynamics and factors influencing strategy and consider future impact when weighing decision. Ability to think creatively, strategically and analytically to identify issues and solve problems with executive-level skill.

Ability to identify and analyze organizational problems, and determine effective forward-thinking management solutions, act decisively, and show good judgement. Establish and maintain productive relationships internally and externally. Skilled in providing leadership and direction applying ethical standards of behavior to daily work activities.

Supplemental and Selection Information

SELECTION PROCESS:

1. A minimum qualification evaluation of education, training and experience of submitted application packets along with a detailed resume and thorough cover letter, will take place by Human Resources the week of July 8, 2024.

2. A Hiring Subject Matter Expert (SME) Panel will perform an evaluation of experience and training taken from your employment application materials including resume and cover letter.

3. Our goal is to schedule oral panel interviews with candidates that successfully passed the SME evaluation step as soon as possible.

About us:

At the Port of Portland, we use everything we have - our three airports, four marine terminals, five business parks, and all the resources, expertise, and experience behind them - to move with purpose, connecting people with powerful opportunities and creating value for our region. We know that every person we hire, business we work with, contract we sign and decision we make is a chance to make someone's life better. And we'll use our power and influence to pull down barriers, unlock new opportunities, ensure more people share in our region's success and include those who have been excluded in the past. With YOUR help - together with our partners, customers, and community - we'll help drive meaningful change!

Do you have questions about this job?

Contact us: [email protected]

Safety: The Port promotes safety as a guiding principle and practice in accomplishing work by complying with safety and health policies and procedures and consistently seeking improvements that support operational excellence.

Diversity and Inclusion: At the Port, we don't just accept difference; we value and support it to create a culture of inclusiveness and fun. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

EEO/Affirmative Action Policy Statement: The Port of Portland is dedicated to maintaining and improving a work environment, which extends equal opportunity to all individuals, regardless of their race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability or sexual orientation. Employment decisions shall be made in such a manner as to further the principle of equal employment opportunity and to comply with state, federal and local laws. We affirm through this policy statement our continuing commitment to the principles of nondiscrimination and affirmative action.

Veterans Preference: Under Oregon law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans preference when applying for Port of Portland positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans preference for this job, please provide the qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Background Checks and Drug Testing: The Port of Portland will conduct background checks and/or drug tests for positions where such tests are required by regulation and for other safety-sensitive positions.

ADA Accommodation: Accommodations will be considered for applicants or candidates with a qualifying disability that prevents them from participating in this process. Accommodations will be made where the Port can reasonably do so without imposing an undue hardship on the business or compromising the integrity of the recruitment process. An applicant with any disability who believes that they need an accommodation should contact Human Resources: call 503-415-6690 or email [email protected].

At the Port of Portland, we strive to offer a holistic and comprehensive benefits package for employees and their families. We care about your health by offering highly-subsidized healthcare plans that include alternative care. We look out for you and for family by paying for life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage. We participate in the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) retirement program. We provide access to additional coverage and benefits including pre-tax spending accounts, voluntary term life insurance, a deferred compensation plan, and critical illness and accident insurance policies.

We go above and beyond by offering an award-winning wellness program for all employees to engage in. Employees can tend to their physical and mental health, earn rewards, and create community. Our employee assistance program supports the Port's commitment to emotional and mental well-being by providing mental health services, discounts on local gyms, and pet insurance for companions.

Our commitment to work-life balance ensures you have time to spend with loved ones and do the things you enjoy. We offer generous vacation time that accrues with length of service, sick leave that never expires and can be used for dependent care, health maintenance and mental health, and 8 weeks of paid parental leave - all in addition to 10 paid holidays. As an added bonus - because we know employees use their time off differently - once a year we give employees the opportunity to convert sick leave to personal leave, and to convert vacation leave to either cash, a retirement plan contribution, or a contribution to a Health Savings Account.

Please note: Some benefits vary by job type/group, so please be sure to review your comprehensive benefit guide and/or collective bargaining agreement upon hire to confirm what is available to you.

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In order to be considered for this position, I have successfully uploaded both a cover letter stating my interest for this position and a comprehensive resume. Yes

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If you served in the U.S. Armed Forces, and are requesting to use veterans' preference points, please describe in detail your training and transferable skills from your military service as they apply to the requirements of this position. Enter N/A if you do not have military service.

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