Deputy Executive Director

The Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority, located in Erie, Pennsylvania, is seeking a Deputy Executive Director. The Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority is located on the southeast shore of Lake Erie in a natural bay formed and sheltered by Presque Isle. The mission of the Port is to promote industrial, commercial, and recreational opportunities on Presque Isle Bay and adjacent waters.

The Deputy Executive Director will be responsible for partnering with and advising the Executive Director on areas including but not limited to operational and organizational matters, external affairs, and strategic goal setting. The role will interface with and present to the Port Authority Board of Directors on certain complex political, strategic, and policy matters. The position will hold full delegated authority to act in the absence of the Executive Director.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as a member of the Executive Leadership Team to support the Executive Director in moving the Port Authority forward through the achievement of goals laid out in the Port Authority’s Master Plan and annual priorities.
• Manage and provide strategic and decision making support to budgeting, staffing, grant management, project management, and operations functional areas.
• Creatively solve problems and generate new ideas related to business customers, stakeholders, staffing, labor, procurement contracting, and public engagement.
• Promote the positive work of the Port Authority, creating and maintaining relationships with businesses, community and civic organizations, elected officials, stakeholders, and other entities.
• Maintain an awareness and understanding of governmental, management, and industry best practices relevant to the Port Authority and its current and future projects through attendance at appropriate seminars, conferences, and contact with federal, state, and local officials.
• Coaching and mentoring staff to assist in their career development.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, political science, technical or engineering discipline, or a related field.
• At least 5 years’ experience working in a government/public sector organization and/or in a private industry organization focused on aviation, large projects, maritime functions, and/or capital development.
• At least 5 years’ experience of senior leadership and management experience on an increasing scale and breadth including staff and fiscal responsibility for multiple functional areas including one or more of the following: procurement and contracting, organization-wide strategy development, process improvement, engineering and construction management, project management, human resources management, and public safety.
• Ability to quickly analyze and resolve complex issues while understanding stakeholder interests.
• Experience balancing multiple competing priorities and projects, with a focus on maintaining organizational resiliency and reliability.
• Extremely strong written and verbal communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 lbs.