Chief Operating Officer - Strategic Operations & Impact

Port of Bellingham; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

The Port of Bellingham seeks a Chief Operations Officer to oversee day-to-day management across Aviation, Facilities, and Maritime divisions. This role reports to the Executive Director and aligns operations with the Port’s mission and community commitments.

The COO will translate strategic priorities into actionable plans, mentor division leaders, manage budgets and capital projects, and build partnerships with regulators, officials, and community stakeholders to sustain high performance and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, operations management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible senior-level leadership experience in public sector administration or port management.
• Demonstrated track record of managing complex operations, budgets, and capital projects.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Aviation, Facilities, and Maritime divisions.
• Monitor performance metrics and ensure fiscal responsibility.
• Lead cross-divisional initiatives to improve coordination, service delivery, and project outcomes.
• Advise the Executive Director and Commissioners on operational matters, risks and opportunities.
• Translate strategic vision into operational plans, priorities, and measurable results.
• Oversee divisional budgets, ensuring financial accountability and adherence to Port policies.

Skills

Public sector leadership

Budget management

Strategic planning

Cross-divisional leadership

Communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Mentorship

Change management

Regulatory compliance

Operational oversight

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public administration

Master’s degree in public administration / related field

Job description

The Port of Bellingham seeks a Chief Operations Officer to oversee day-to-day management across Aviation, Facilities, and Maritime divisions. This role reports to the Executive Director and aligns operations with the Port’s mission and community commitments.

The COO will translate strategic priorities into actionable plans, mentor division leaders, manage budgets and capital projects, and build partnerships with regulators, officials, and community stakeholders to sustain high performance and