Chief Operations Officer

Looking to make a positive impact while building your leadership career in Southwest Washington?

For more than a century, the Port of Vancouver USA has been a vital gateway for regional commerce, connecting local businesses to global markets through world-class marine, rail, and industrial operations. As our Chief Operations Officer, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the Port's future by driving operational excellence, advancing strategic initiatives, and ensuring the continued success of one of the Pacific Northwest's most dynamic and diverse ports.

Beyond offering a meaningful career and competitive salaries, the Port provides unmatched benefits and work-life balance. We offer generous PTO, the potential for flexible work hours, comprehensive health insurance, an HRA to help with health-related expenses, retirement, life insurance, disability, savings plans, and more. We value teamwork, creativity, and customer service – and we center our organization on being a rewarding and supportive place to work.

If you are interested in being part of a great team, click the Apply button.

The Chief Operations Officer (COO) is responsible for overseeing the operational activities of the Port, ensuring safe, efficient, compliant, and financially responsible execution of operations. The COO supervises the Director of Environmental Services, Director of Operations, Director of Facilities, Director of Engineering & Project Delivery, and Operations Program Manager. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the COO translates strategic objectives into operational execution while driving continuous improvement, operational excellence, and stakeholder satisfaction.

The COO serves as a key member of the executive leadership team and a strategic partner to the CEO, Board of Commissioners, tenants, labor, and stakeholders. The position promotes the Port's mission, vision, and values through collaborative leadership, effective communication, and organizational development while ensuring operational alignment with strategic priorities.

Strategic Focus Areas:

Operational Leadership

• Directs, supervises, and oversees the following Port operational departments and functions: 
  • Marine and terminal operations including receipt and delivery (R&D), rail, vessel, and berth operations
  • Fleet management and vehicle/equipment assets
  • Facilities maintenance and asset management
  • Engineering and project delivery, and infrastructure operations
  • Safety and risk, security, emergency response 
  • Environmental services 
• Ensures continuity of operations and resiliency.
• Establishes and maintains operational procedures, controls, and communication processes that support effective decision-making, accountability, and organizational alignment. 
• Promote the use of port-wide technology systems and tools.
• Develops and maintains an organizational structure that supports operational effectiveness, leadership continuity, and succession planning.

Strategic Execution

• Translates port‑wide strategic goals into actionable operational plans.
• Leads cross‑functional initiatives to improve efficiency, capacity, reliability, and customer service.
• Supports growth initiatives, new business opportunities, and asset optimization.
• Partners with the CEO on long‑term operational planning and succession strategies.
• Develops and establishes operating policies consistent with the CEO’s broad policies and objectives and ensures their adequate execution. Appraises and evaluates the results of overall operations regularly and systematically, and reports these results to the CEO.
• Uses port technology systems and tools to evaluate operational performance on an ongoing basis and provides recommendations and reports to the CEO regarding organizational effectiveness, operational risks, and improvement opportunities. 
• Represents the Port in regional freight mobility, transportation infrastructure, and freight corridor development initiatives.

Safety, Security, and Compliance

• Promotes a culture of safety, accountability, and environmental stewardship.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including: 
  • Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) and Coast Guard regulations
  • OSHA, WISHA, and workplace safety standards
  • Environmental permitting and sustainability requirements
• Oversees emergency preparedness, incident response, and business continuity planning.

Financial & Performance Management

• Develops, administers, and maintains accountability for operational budgets across environmental services, operations, engineering, project delivery, facilities, security, and safety functions in coordination with Finance.
• Drives cost discipline while maintaining service quality and reliability.
• Supports rate setting of the Port’s rail and marine tariffs.

People & Labor Relations

• Leads and develops high‑performing operational leadership teams.
• Fosters productive relationships with represented employees and labor organizations, including the ILWU and Port of Vancouver Trade Council (PVTC), and participates in collective bargaining negotiations as needed.
• Champions leadership development, talent retention, and performance management.
• Provides consistent mentoring to team managers to promote efficient and effective project delivery skills and development. 
• Supports management development, leadership succession, employee engagement, and organizational effectiveness within areas of responsibility.

Capital Projects & Asset Management

• Oversees operational input into capital planning, construction, and major maintenance projects.
• Ensures assets are maintained to support safe, reliable, and efficient port operations.
• Coordinates operational readiness for new facilities, terminals, and infrastructure.

Stakeholder & Partner Engagement

• Serves as a senior operational representative with tenants, customers, railroads, and service providers.
• Collaborates with public agencies and regional partners.
• Serves as the operational advisor to the Port’s Board of Commissioners.
• Maintains open, proactive communication with tenants, customers, and stakeholders regarding operational activities, facilities, infrastructure, and property-related needs. 
• Promotes collaborative working relationships across all Port departments to support organizational goals and service excellence.

The duties above are illustrative and not an exhaustive list. Additional responsibilities may be assigned, and duties may change as organizational needs evolve.

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, public administration, engineering, maritime administration, transportation, logistics, operations management, or a closely related field required. An equivalent combination of education, training, and progressively responsible executive-level experience may be considered.

Experience: A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible operational leadership experience, including at least seven (7) years in a senior executive, director, or department leadership role overseeing complex operations, infrastructure, and personnel. Experience in ports, transportation, maritime operations, logistics, public infrastructure, industrial operations, utilities, construction, engineering, or a closely related field is highly desirable. Incumbent must have experience and strong proficiency in the development of appropriate strategies for the growth, shaping, and implementation of capital projects and its effect on port operations.

License/Certification: 

Required Skills/Abilities:

Supervisory Skills: Ability to clearly assign responsibilities and set measurable goals. Strong skills in monitoring workflow, tracking progress, and evaluating results using structured feedback methods. Proven capacity to plan and organize work effectively. Ability to motivate employees and support high performance. Skilled in delivering timely, direct, and actionable feedback, both positive and corrective, while clearly communicating expectations.

Communication Skills: Able to communicate clearly and succinctly in writing and verbally across all levels of the organization. Able to maintain confidentiality and ensure accurate exchange of information. Ability to read, write, understand and communicate clearly in English. Confident in developing and delivering formal presentations in a variety of settings to individuals, small or large groups. Excellent interpersonal communication skills, including maintaining open two‑way dialogue with staff. Excellent social skills for effective interaction with groups and individuals, including elected officials, officials of various government agencies and other opinion and decision makers.

Organizational Skills: Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines. Able to balance short- and long‑term priorities effectively while handling numerous, shifting, and often competing demands. 

Analytical Skills: Able to gather relevant data from appropriate sources; identify all relevant factors or restrictions; apply logical reasoning to determine relationship of variables; develop results-oriented conclusions; test assumptions, observe results, and incorporate revisions or corrections.

Problem Solving Skills: Ability to logically think through and solve problems involving several variables. Able to remain objective in gathering information and investigating issues. 

Computer Skills: Advanced computer skills with an emphasis on Microsoft Office suite. 

Physical Requirements/Environment:

The requirements described above are representative of the physical and mental capabilities that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. Equal Opportunity Employer.

If you are interested, click the Apply button. Please include a resume and cover letter.

If you have any questions, please submit them to jobs@portvanusa.com.

The posting will remain open until September 18, 2026.

The Port of Vancouver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, the Port of Vancouver complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

Salary Range: $187,333 – $276,776 annually