Jorgenson Pace has been retained to conduct this executive search.
PORT OF SEATTLE
Founded in 1911 by a vote of the people as a special purpose government, the Port of Seattle’s mission is to promote economic opportunities and quality of life in the region by advancing trade, travel, commerce, and job creation in an equitable, accountable, and environmentally responsible manner.
The Port owns and operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Fishermen’s Terminal — home of the North Pacific fishing fleet — and public marinas. The Port also owns two cruise ship terminals, a grain terminal, real estate assets, and marine cargo terminals through its partnership in the Northwest Seaport Alliance.
Port operations help support nearly 200,000 jobs and $7 billion in wages throughout the region. Over the next 13 years, the Port’s Century Agenda seeks to create an additional 100,000 jobs through economic growth while becoming the nation’s leading green and energy-efficient port.
This position is considered critical and essential, at-will, and is appointed by the Executive Director.
MANAGING DIRECTOR, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The Port of Seattle is seeking a dynamic and strategic leader for its Economic Development Division Managing Director position.
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Economic Development Division Managing Director position drives economic development activities at the Port of Seattle to maximize opportunities available to the Port as provided by Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Title 53 while making Seattle's gateways for international travel and commerce competitive and successful. This role supports the Port of Seattle's growth and enables the attainment of Port goals and strategies through strategic real estate development, innovative economic development activities, strategic partnerships regionally, nationally, and internationally, including the partnership with the Northwest Seaport Alliance. This role leads efforts to collaborate within Washington State and between cities within King County on business attraction strategies that support Port development. This role directs efforts to expand opportunity equitably through a focus on expanding Diversity in Contracting. This role participates as a member of the Port's executive team and serves as an executive sponsor for actions that expand economic opportunity.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The Managing Director, Economic Development will provide exemplary leadership to the organization in advising the Executive Director on Economic Development efforts. Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Set a vision: Envision and create economic development initiatives tied to operating division, equity, sustainability, and Northwest Seaport Alliance strategies.
Expand economic opportunity: Proactively explore and create initiatives, programs, and development opportunities to expand Port's economic activity and future business strategies.
Develop real estate: Lead real estate development efforts and strategies on Port properties in partnership with operating divisions and Northwest Seaport Alliance leaders.
Acquire real estate: Identify properties that may be acquired and developed for use consistent with Port strategies, assess potential impact, and make recommendations to purchase appropriate additional properties for the Port's real estate portfolio.
Northwest Seaport Alliance: Support business development and operational objectives of the Northwest Seaport Alliance through real estate development projects.
Partnerships: Develop strategic partnership opportunities that expand economic activity and economic opportunity. Work in alignment with Maritime and Aviation divisions, Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and External Relations. Include partnerships based on funding opportunities, in-kind partnerships, initiatives, or development opportunities.
Women-and Minority-Owned Small Business Development: Direct efforts to leverage the Port's relationships with community groups, non-profit organizations, and civic and business groups to promote economic development for the Port and the region in a socially responsible manner. Direct development of initiatives that support small business development and growth as a means of bringing equitable economic development and job growth to the region.
Tourism: Direct development of strategies to grow responsible tourism to the Seattle area, Puget Sound region, and the State of Washington as destinations gateways to other areas of the U.S. and international locations as a means of increasing the economic impact in the region. Provide executive level direction to the Port's international tourism partnerships.
Support and Advance Innovation: Enhance the Port and region's competitiveness by implementing partnerships and programs that advance innovation in port related industries. Promote innovation within the Port by sponsoring related programs that encourage a culture of innovation. Build partnerships with stakeholders to advance innovation and related projects that address key disruptions and opportunities facing the Port and region.
Leadership: Provide leadership and direction to employees of the Economic Development Division in alignment with the Port's R.A.I.S.E. values. Partner with executive leaders and division leaders to develop and implement strategies and approaches that will bring new business and economic development to the Port of Seattle and the region. Ensure performance and development plans are in place and regularly reviewed. As a member of the Port's executive team, provide input to strategic discussions and decisions at the executive or Commission level to support well informed decision making related to achieving port strategies and goals.
Management: Lead long and short-term business planning activities for the Economic Development division. Direct development and management of the division revenue and expense budgets, including the separate department budgets that comprise the division budget. Ensure team members have adequate resources and direction.
Commitment to Equity: Commit to apply equity and strive to exemplify the Port's values, behaviors, and practices in all aspects of the work. Commitment to equity is a foundational expectation for all Port employees.
EXPERIENCE
The ideal candidate will possess the following experience and qualifications:
Minimum of ten years of Economic Development experience leading an organization's economic development function. Five years of senior leadership experience managing economic development functions in one or more topical areas of the following: economic development, real estate development, tourism, and small business development.
Advanced understanding of small business issues and resources available to these firms.
Advanced understanding of economic development processes, programs, and resources (business attraction, marketing, financing, business retention, trade development, etc.).
Thorough understanding of economic development institutions, agencies, and programs.
Comprehensive knowledge of real estate development principles and processes (ex. Permitting, Development, etc.)
Comprehensive knowledge of tourism partners and programs.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Experience in developing and implementing strategically focused business attraction programs, specifically in aviation, maritime, clean energy, environmental, export and import, warehousing, logistics, and other business sectors related to the movement of goods and people.
Embraces innovation and works continuously to improve organization and processes.
Experience in real estate development is critical. Skilled in presenting bold and novel real estate development opportunities, ideas, and strategies.
Familiarity with and experience in both public and private financing strategies and with finance resources at the federal level.
Experience in supporting the sustainable growth of regional tourism. Knowledge of responsible tourism principles is a plus.
Effective leader that engages and supports the economic development team and other port departments.
Comfortable working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
Proven track record of diversity, equity, and inclusion both internally and externally with partners, port and airport contractors, and the community.
Familiar with the policies, procedures, and processes of a “special purpose government organization”, such as the Port of Seattle or similar organizations.
Works in a collaborative fashion, bringing various strategic partners together to advance initiatives that create a sustainable and equitable economy beyond the Port.
Politically savvy with a proven track record of working with elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels.
WASHINGTON RESIDENCY
Employees must establish a residence in Washington State within 30 days of their first day of employment and must maintain a residence in Washington State during their employment with the Port of Seattle.