PORT OF SEATTLE
MANAGING DIRECTOR, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
POSITION PROFILE
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
The Port of Seattle plays a key role in bringing international trade and travel to the Pacific Northwest. The Port provides maritime and airport operations for the greater Seattle area. About 40 percent of the state of Washington’s economy is impacted in some way by thePort. The ports of Seattle and Tacoma are currently working to create the historically innovative Seaport Alliance, unifying the management of the two ports’ marine cargo terminals and related functions to continue our leading role in international trade.
The Port of Seattle manages two cruise terminals that make Seattle the preferred choice for Alaska or Pacific Northwest cruises. Nearly 900,000 visitors are expected during this year’s cruise season with 192 ships calling on Seattle. The Port also manages Fisherman’s Terminal, the headquarters of the North Pacific Fishing fleet, as well as three recreational marinas and the Maritime Industrial Center.
The Port of Seattle operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac), ranked as the 13th busiest U.S. airport, serving nearly 37.5 million passengers and more than 319,000 metric tons of air cargo in 2014. For the fourth straight year, Sea-Tac served a record number of passengers in 2014, the fastest growth of any U.S. airport.
The Port is working on a Sustainable Airport Master Plan to look ahead five, 10 and 20 years in the future to manage growth. The capital budget for the airport includes $1.9 billion in projects over the next five years. This includes the renovation and expansion of the north satellite, a new International Arrivals Facility, a new high-speed baggage system, and the reconstruction of the center runway.
Five commissioners, elected at large by the voters of King County serve four-year terms and establish Port of Seattle policy. The Chief Executive Officer, in carrying out these policies, leads 1,800 employees. The Port of Seattle’s Century Agenda supports the triple bottom line of business development, environmental sustainability and social responsibility.Our goal is to make the Port of Seattle the gateway of choice and create a vibrant economic engine that drives job creation throughout the region. For more information, go to
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Managing Director of Economic Development will drive economic development activities at the Port of Seattle to maximize opportunities available to the Port while making Seattle a gateway for international commerce. The Managing Director will assure port properties are used in strategic ways that support Port of Seattle growth and enable attainment of port goals and strategies. The Managing Director will lead efforts to collaborate across the State’s counties and cities within King County to increase the State’s import and export activities through the Port. They will direct innovative workforce and small business development efforts through the Office of Social Responsibility to support economic growth throughout the region. As a member of the port’s executive team, they will provide strong leadership and direction to the organization. Creative thinking, “outside-the-box” problem solving, and forging successful partnerships and relationships will be essential.
POSITION OVERVIEW
This position pursues a balance of revenue-gathering and collaboration opportunities within economic development including:
- Adding 100,000 new living wage jobs in concert with the Century Agenda for the Port of Seattle
- Leveraging Real Estate for Aviation, Maritime, and Seaport Alliance growth
- Expanding Tourism-Related Business
•Launching the Small Business Accelerator
•Leveraging Port Strengths to Collaborate with Communities to Order to Expand Economic Development
•Developing the Workforce Pipeline
•Expanding Women and Minority Business Enterprise Participation
•Recruiting and Retaining Aviation, Maritime, and Manufacturing-Related Businesses to Region
The Managing Director of the Economic Development Division will pursue all available tools including:
•Foreign Direct Investment
- Merger and Acquisition
- Foreign Government Investment
- Private Sector Investment
- Access to Financing
•EB-5 Funding
•Federal and State Grant Funding
•Foreign Trade Zone
•Innovative Partnership Zone
•Brookings Global Cities Initiative re: Exports
The Managing Director of the Economic Development Division will engage broad groups of stakeholders and solicit ideas for collaboration while attending individual and group meetings with:
•Communities such as cities within King County and other counties within the state
•Economic development agencies across the state
•Trade Associations
•Customers (Existing and Prospective)
•Labor
•Local Ports
The Managing Director will research best practices from economic development agencies across the state and country.
The Economic Development Division is grounded in real estate development. The Managing Director will use real estate innovatively for economic development and jobs throughout the state. Current developments include:
•Vacant Land Adjacent to SeaTac Upon Completion of SAMP
•Strategic Real Estate Plan Coordinated with SAMP and Launch of Seaport Alliance
•IdentifyingOpportunities for Accelerator/Business Recruiting
•T-91 Strategy
•Continuing Execution of Des Moines Creek Business Park Development
•Repatriating Properties from Aviation
The Managing Director will use tourism innovatively for economic development and jobs throughout the state. The Managing Director will achieve this through:
•Leveraging and expanding existing program in UK, Germany, France, China, and Japan
•Developing growth strategy into new markets
•Expanding “Cruise and Stay” programs with UK and Germany
•Identifying new tourism partnerships throughout King County and the state
•Establishing a Grant Partnership Program
•Continuing collaboration with Washington Tourism Alliance and Visit Seattle
The Managing Director will significantly expand the workforce pipeline through the Office of Social Responsibility. Workforce development initiatives will include:
•Accelerate Port Jobs Concept
•Expand Airport Training and Apprenticeship Programs
•Support Regional Workforce Development in Port Sectors
•Work with Labor and Industry to Identify Gaps and Solutions re: Workforce Needs and Education Offerings, and Solutions
•Expand Internship Programs
This position will also work with the Office of Social Responsibility to expand opportunities for small businesses and women and minority business enterprises. Examples include:
•Establish Accelerator Program to Support Small Business Growth
•Expand opportunities by
–Resolving questions related to FAA Race/Gender Conscious DBE Program
–Resolving exceptions in the Disparity Study
The Managing Director of the Economic Development Division will be forward-thinking and evaluate innovative opportunities, needed resources, and likelihood of success. Examples of future development opportunities include:
•Tax Relief and Public/Private Partnerships
•Relief from Gifting/Lending Public Credit
•Authorization of County-wide Redevelopment Authority
•Relaxing Constraints on Pubic Private Partnerships
•Leverage Washington State Department of CommerceTrade Development Efforts
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Leadership & Management:
The Managing Director provides leadership and direction to employees of the Economic Development Division. Partnering with executives and division leaders, the Managing Director develops and implements strategies and approaches that will bring new business and economic development to the Port of Seattle and the region. As a member of the port’s executive team, the Managing Director provides input to strategic decisions at the executive or commission level. Decisions will support the port in achieving its strategies and goals.
The Managing Director will establish the Economic Development Division’s organizational structure, workforce planning, and job design. They will develop and manage the division’s revenue and expense budgets ensuring team members have adequate resources that are allocated appropriately. When developing the budget, the Managing Director will ensure transparency and accuracy in applicable financial processes and procedures.
The Managing Director will provide strong leadership, direction and supervision to the Economic Development Division staff including providing performance feedback, development of the workforce, and establishing goals and performance measures. This leader will lead long and short term planning activities for the division.
Maximize Revenue Generating Potential:
The Managing Director develops and implements strategies to create the best and most profitable use of the port’s real estate portfolio. They will consider alternative uses for port properties consistent with the port’s goals and objectives as well as applicable rules and regulations.
The Managing Director will review available properties that the port may acquire. They will assess the potential impact of purchasing properties and make recommendations to purchase properties to strengthen the port’s real estate portfolio. The Managing Director will develop marketing strategies to promote the best use of port properties, including commercial, industrial and public access properties.
The Managing Director will direct the development, management and implementationof strategies and actions related to port properties to ensure their maximum contribution to regional economic benefit. This includes direct formulation, administration, and communication of the port’s commercial real estate policies and programs.
Enhance Seattle’s International Recognition as the North American Headquarters:
The Managing Director will develop strategies to attract businesses to the Seattle region including, but not limited to manufacturing and foreign direct investment to support job growth in the Puget Sound region. They will develop partnerships with railroads and trucking companies and others to increase the attractiveness of the Port of Seattle as an entry and exit point for goods.
Workforce and Small Business Development:
The Managing Director will provide direction and guidance to the Office of Social Responsibility. They will direct efforts to leverage the port’s relationships with community groups, non-profit organizations, the labor community, tenants, concessionaires, contractors, as well as civic and business groups to promote economic development for the port and the region in a socially responsible manner.
Through the Office of Social Responsibility, the Managing Director will direct workforce development activities to ensure a pipeline of qualified workers to meet the upcoming talent needs of the port and regional employers, including partnering with labor unions to encourage participation in an apprenticeship program.
The Managing Director will direct the development of innovative ways to support small business development and growth as a means of bringing economic development and job growth to the region.
Tourism:
Through the tourism department, the Managing Director will direct development of strategies that will grow tourism in the Seattle area, Puget Sound region, and the State of Washington. By promoting Washington as a destination and as a gateway to other areas of the U.S. and international locations, the Managing Director will be increasing the economic impact of the port to the region.
The Managing Director will provide executive level direction to the port’s international tourism partners. This position will support tourism development by serving as an advocate when needed to move initiatives forward when they are beneficial to the port, the region or the state.
tHE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate will possess demonstrated experience developing and managing real estate as well as related marketing strategies and processes. Applying knowledge of the local and regional real estate practices, principles, laws and regulations, and real estate financing methodologies, the Managing Director will develop business possibilities for the port. The preferred candidate will also possess a strong understanding of leasing processes, environmental regulations related to real estate development, and any other related laws.
The preferred candidate will be able to create and establish partnerships with local groups involved in small business and workforce development efforts. Working together with local and regional interest groups, this leader will facilitate the development of port properties, workforce development and small business development.
As an executive leader of the port, the Managing Director will have strong experience and skill managing and providing direction to staff including the ability to engage and develop employees. Using creative and innovative ideas, this person will provide strategic direction and workforce planning skills that will guide the department in its support of organizational goals and strategies. The Managing Director must be able to set direction and inspire staff toward that direction. They should have strong communication skills including the ability to deliver clear and concise presentations, strong negotiation skills and the ability to persuade others. The Managing Director will also have knowledge of government budgeting processes, budget management and budget administration.
The Economic Development Director must be able to analyze and synthesize complex information quickly and effectively. They should be able to formulate strategies and economic development techniques that will drive performance and influence outcomes.
In addition to providing strategic direction and management, the Managing Director must be able to establish and maintain relationships with others from diverse backgrounds and interest. In order to succeed in this role, the Managing Director must be able to understand different perspectives and goals; they should be able to find common interests and capitalize on these commonalities in order to support overall port objectives. They must be able to act with a high degree of tact and diplomacy at all times.
Using creativity and innovation, this position will provide guidance and direction to the tourism department. Therefore, the ideal candidate should have a strong understanding of the tourism industry and its impact on the region and the Port of Seattle.
QUALIFICATIONS
To be considered for this position, candidates must possess a combination of education and experience demonstrating knowledge, skills and abilities equivalent to:
A Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Finance, Real Estate, Marketing or a related field; fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in an economic or business development role including at least 8 years of leadership/management experience in an economic development or commercial real estate field and at least 3 years in a senior or executive level leadership role; strong real estate development experience; and experience with tourism development programs and/or small business development programs
Preferred qualifications include a MBA or graduate level degree in a closely related field.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
This position reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer, Theodore J. Fick.
This position provides leadership and direction to several port departments including: Real Estate; Corporate Facilities; Tourism; Office of Social Responsibility; Small Business Incubator; and Workforce Development.
POSITION LOCATION
This position is located in Seattle, WA.
ENGAGEMENT MANAGER:
To be considered for this position, please contact Greg Albrecht at:
Greg Albrecht
M&A Executive Search
612-327-3852
The Port of Seattle is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Affirmative Action employer and is committed to diversity in the workplace. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.