Posted: 28-May-25
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Type: Full Time
Categories:
Internal Number: N 6002
About the Port of Cleveland:
The City of Cleveland began shipping operations at the Port of Cleveland in 1825. During its first year of operation, the port recorded $38,000 in exports and imports of $196,000.
In 1968, the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority was created as a governmental agency to manage the maritime operations at the Port of Cleveland. Its maritime activities help sustain the regional economy in Northeast Ohio by keeping local industries connected to the world and supporting 23,000 jobs that generate $1.89 billion in personal incomes and over $7 billion in total economic activity, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation’s 2024 Ohio Maritime Plan Working Paper.
The Port Authority is governed by a nine-member board of directors that sets the policies and procedures governing the Port Authority. The City appoints six members to the board, while the County appoints three. Each board member is appointed to a four-year term.
The strategic mission of the Port Authority is to assist the private industry in retaining and creating jobs by providing waterborne cargo transportation/services and by providing economic development facilitation through financing services and other development tools in partnership with local and state development agencies.
In more recent years, the Port Authority has expanded its role to include identifying opportunities to assist in regional revitalization efforts and to cultivate development finance partnerships. By acting on behalf of a borrowing entity as a conduit issuer of special obligation revenue bonds, the Port Authority may provide financing for eligible public and private community projects.
Position Summary: Reporting to the Port Authority Board of Directors, the President & CEO is responsible for administering and directing the operations, strategic marketing, and physical development of the Port Authority’s facilities, services, and overall growth. They will administer and direct the broad programmatic areas of marketing, operations, trade development, finance, port promotion, and staff management of offices in Northeast Ohio. The successful candidate will have a successful track record within a political environment and will effectively develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders. Full duties and responsibilities available on the job description.
Location: Cleveland, OH
Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree is preferred.
Experience Requirements:
- At least 10 years’ experience of progressively responsible executive leadership in an organization of similar size, complexity, and financial scope. (The port’s staff size is approximately 20, and the annual operating budget is approximately $11M.)
- Previous responsibility managing a P&L for a small to medium sized organization or a division of a larger entity.
- A strong background in finance and financing activities.
- Exposure to economic and policy development.
- Prior seaport/maritime experience is highly desirable.
Compensation & Benefits: Competitive base salary + excellent benefits.
To Apply: Please submit resume and cover letter to Jeff Dvonch, jeff@shey-harding.com / www.shey-harding.com The initial close date is Tuesday, July 1, 2025. The Port Authority reserves the right to accept additional submissions after the close date. Questions: Please contact Sue Dvonch, Shey-Harding Executive Search. sue@shey-harding.com; (562) 252-8516.
Other:
- Complete job description is available upon request.
- To be considered, candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. without restrictions.
- The Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as an individual with a disability or other applicable legally protected characteristics.