Business Development Officer

Port of Astoria; Astoria (OR); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Port of Astoria is seeking a Business Development Officer to advance strategic growth by identifying, developing, and managing new business opportunities, partnerships, and revenue streams.

The role requires market analysis, contract leadership, and stakeholder coordination to align with the Port’s long-term goals and capital projects. Strong communication and project management skills are essential for success in this leadership position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in business development, marketing, and sales, or a related field.
• Port-related business development experience.
• Proficiency in CRM software and MS Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement business strategies to expand the Port’s commercial and industrial activities, partnerships, and related infrastructure.
• Conduct market analyses to identify trends, regulatory changes, and opportunities for existing and new customers/tenants.
• Lead the development and management of business contracts.
• Assist with project management from concept through completion, including planning, solicitation, scheduling, and stakeholder coordination.
• Design and execute short- and long-range development goals aligned with the Port’s objectives.
• Represent the Port before boards, commissions, regulatory agencies, and professional conferences.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Assist grant administrator to identify and pursue grant opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned by senior leadership.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Strategic planning

Public speaking

Verbal and written communication

Negotiation

Relationship-building

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business development, marketing, or related field

Tools

CRM software

MS Office Suite

Job description

The Business Development Officer is responsible for advancing the Port’s strategic growth by identifying, developing, and managing new business opportunities, partnerships, and revenue streams.

EXAMPLE OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Develop and implement business strategies to improve and expand the Port’s commercial and industrial activities, partnerships and related infrastructure.
• Conduct market analyses and stay abreast of industry trends, regulatory changes, and emerging opportunities for both existing and new customers/tenants.
• Lead the development and management of business contracts.
• Assist with business development–related projects from concept through completion, including but not limited to planning, solicitation, scheduling and stakeholder coordination.
• Design and execute short- and long-range development goals which align with the Port’s strategic objectives.
• Represent the Port before boards, commissions, regulatory agencies, community groups, and at professional conferences.
• Build and maintain relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Assist the Port’s grant administrator to identify and pursue grant opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned by senior leadership.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in business development, marketing, and sales, or a related field.
• Port-related business development experience which may include terminals, properties, airports, boatyards, marinas, public-private partnerships, etc.
• Proficiency in CRM software and MS Office Suite.
• Familiarity with industry trends and market analysis.

KNOWLEDGE

• Modern management, administrative and budgetary methods.
• Maritime industry trends, including local, state, and federal regulatory challenges.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving.
• Strong presentation and public speaking.
• Excellent verbal and written communications.
• Negotiation and relationship-building.
• Project management and organization.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Cover Letter (Required)
Along with your resume, please include a tailored cover letter (maximum 2 pages) that:

• -Connects your background to the Port’s work. Summarize your relevant experience and explain how it prepares you to contribute to the Port’s current and emerging initiatives.
• -Demonstrates qualification for the BDO role. Outline why you believe you are qualified for this position, explicitly tying your skills to the position objectives and essential duties.
• -Provides specific, measurable examples. Include 2–3 brief case studies of past successes with concrete outcomes. Indicate your role, the actions you took, timelines, and the resulting metrics.
• -Addresses stakeholder collaboration. Highlight experience building relationships with public agencies, private partners, and community groups, and how you would represent the Port with these stakeholders.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Qualified applicants will participate in a multi-step selection process designed to assess both foundational qualifications and the candidate’s ability to engage with the Port’s active and emerging projects.

Initial Interview

Selected applicants will be invited to a conventional interview with the hiring committee. This interview will focus on professional experience, technical skills, and overall fit for the responsibilities of the Business Development Officer position. Part of the evaluation process will consider the candidate’s past successes and the specific metrics and timelines that qualify those successes.

Presentation-Style Interview

Applicants advancing beyond the initial interview will be asked to prepare and deliver a presentation to the hiring committee. Candidates should have at least a basic understanding of the projects outlined belowand be prepared to discuss how they would approach, prioritize, and tackle these projects if selected for the role.

Current Projects

• Central Waterfront Development
• Boatyard Expansion
• East Basin
• Pier 2 West Development (Pier 2 Rehabilitation &Byproduct Recovery Center / Industrial Symbiosis)

Background information on these projects can be found through publicly available information, including various news articles and the Port’s website.