Position Open Until Filled
The CommunityHeadquartered in Olympia, Washington, the Port of Olympia serves all of Thurston County community as an economic engine, a strong community partner, and a responsible environmental steward. Olympia is home to a wide variety of industries, including state government, health care, retail, military, education, construction, farming, fishing, and logging, and has an active arts community.The region has a wide array of public parks and nature conservation areas. Majestic Mount Rainier and the rugged Cascade Mountains are nearby to the east, while the Pacific Coast is just an hour's drive to the west. Located on Budd Inlet, the southernmost point of Puget Sound, the area offers significant opportunities for a diversity of water enthusiasts.The Organization
Established in 1922, the Port serves the community by promoting trade, supporting family-wage jobs, and improving the environment. Today, more than 5,000 jobs and nearly $715.5 million in economic activity in Thurston County depend on the Port of Olympia. The Port of Olympia is governed by an elected Commission, which sets policies and strategic direction for the organization. The Commission appoints the Port’s Executive Director, who is responsible for the ongoing management of the Port’s staff, operations, budget, enterprises, and facilities. The Port of Olympia operates with 49 FTEs across multiple departments and four business units which include:- Marine Terminal
- Airport
- Swantown Marina and Boatworks
- Real Estate
Learn more about who we are at: portolympia.com The Position Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Director of Community and Economic Development (Director)’s function is to develop, recommend, and implement economic development strategies, administration of port wide strategic planning initiatives, and act as liaison with public and private entities as related to community and economic development. This position plays a key role in, together with Port partners, advancing economic development and driving positive outcomes in Thurston County for Port business lines, and small and large businesses alike. To accomplish these goals, the Director must be familiar with Thurston County, local real estate trends, and economic trends within the County.
The essential duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to the following:
Port Business Development:
- Supervises the team of Port staff who manage the Port’s portfolio of industrial and commercial properties.
- Together with the Port real estate team, develops and implements real estate strategies that enhance the revenue potential of Port real properties, and position properties for development to attract investment, create new jobs, and generate revenue for the Port of Olympia and the region.
- Promotes the Port with various Federal, State, and local agencies, economic development agencies, Port customers and tenants, and real estate brokers, investors, developers, builders, and other interested parties and potential users of Port Property. The Director represents the Port’s interests to public and private organizations and user prospects.
- Participates in the development of the real estate team’s marketing tools including printed and electronic marketing materials. Implement marketing strategies for targeted real estate development programs with the Department team.
- Develop, recommend, and manage annual real estate marketing and business development budget and capital investment program for real estate activities, as required.
Community and Economic Development:- Together with the Executive Director, lead the Port and consultant teams working to develop the Port Peninsula Integrated Master Plan.
- Engage in Port planning efforts, including amendments and updates to the Port’s Strategic Plan, Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor Improvements, and annual updates to the Port’s business plans. Also, participate in the planning efforts of other jurisdictions and groups to help position the Port and Thurston County well into the future.
- Lead the efforts to reinvigorate the Foreign Trade Zone program with the Thurston Economic Development Council. Help coordinate with FTZ #216 policy group members, stakeholders, and landowners on Foreign-Trade Zone marketing and business development activities. Speak before industry groups as a representative of the Port of Olympia and Foreign-Trade Zone #216. Help develop the budget and participate in NAFTZ conferences. Help develop and implement the marketing plan and attend Policy Group meetings.
- Liaison with area development firms, municipal jurisdictions, public agencies, and private organizations to facilitate goals of business growth, job creation, and environmentally sustainable growth throughout Thurston County.
- Coordinate the Port’s participation in economic development, regional collaboration, and local economic development.
- In coordination with the Executive Director and senior management, develop political strategies to support community and economic growth.
- In coordination with the Senior Manager for Communications and Marketing and the Communications Specialist, support the efforts of the Communications and Outreach Team to connect the Port with the community in a way that aligns with the Port’s strategic goals.
- Attend Port Commission meetings when needed and serve as a member of the Port’s Executive team.
- Coordinate with Port staff where and as needed to promote a positive work environment.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualification (Experience / Education)- Ten years of experience with progressive responsibility in commercial and industrial real estate activities, including marketing, lease negotiations, property management, building development and construction, project management, and contract administration.
- Seven years experience with progressive responsibility in community development, zoning or planning, and community engagement.
- Experience working for a local government
- Experience working in communications, or with communications professionals to connect an organization with the broader community.
- A current, valid Washington State driver’s license is required.
Required Knowledge / Skills / Abilities - Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, as well as time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, targeted to a variety of audiences, and an ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people.
- Demonstrated management and problem-solving skills.
- Experience effectively managing, motivating, and supervising people to achieve high quality work products. An ability to work effectively in teams as both a leader and a participant.
- Moderate business travel is expected/required.
- Ability to operate a wide variety of information technology equipment, including various software programs, as well as the aptitude to learn new and innovative equipment/systems/software.
- A caring customer service attitude, a strong commitment to operational excellence, an ability to display behaviors, and a commitment to the organization's core values.
The Port of Olympia is committed to providing equal employment opportunity and equal access in a non-discriminatory manner to its programs and services for all persons without regard to race, creed, color, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, national origin, political affiliation, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any real or perceived sensory, mental, or physical disability.
Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or for an alternative format may contact the Human Resources Manager, Tracy Aga at (360) 528-8002 or tracya@portolympia.com. Persons of disability or those who are deaf or hard of hearing can call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833- 6388. The Port of Olympia complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the Federal Form I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form on the first day of employment.Compensation and Benefits
$119,524 - $179,288Medical, prescription, vision, and dental insurance with no out-of-pocket employee premiums and full coverage for employee, spouse, and all eligible dependents.Life and AD&D insurance with a maximum of $100,000.12 paid holidays.Earned vacation and sick leaveBereavement leaveEducational assistanceLong-term disability insurance with optional additional coverage paid by the employee.Washington State Retirement SystemWellness fringe benefitOptional AFLACOptional Ameriflex FSA. 