Executive Director

Maritime Executive; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation package

Job summary

Maryland Port Administration (MPA) leads the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore, directing strategy, operations, and workforce development to keep the port competitive and resilient. The Executive Director role requires broad maritime and transportation expertise and strong governance collaboration.

The ideal candidate will have 10+ years of senior executive experience, a bachelor’s degree, and a track record with unions; advanced degrees are preferred.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of senior executive leadership in maritime, port operations, or large-scale transportation/logistics.
• Experience working with unions is preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for the Port of Baltimore.
• Oversee all port terminals, maritime operations, and workforce development.
• Engage with stakeholders, communities, and governing bodies to advance competitiveness and growth.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Maritime operations

Stakeholder engagement

Public sector collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

The Maryland Port Administration (MPA) operates the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore, a major economic engine for the Baltimore region and the State of Maryland. The Port generates over 20,300 direct jobs, with nearly 273,000 jobs overall linked to Port activity. It ranks among the nation’s top ports for volume of autos, light trucks, roll-on/roll-off cargo, construction and heavy equipment, and imported materials. MPA is an agency of the State of Maryland and a modal administration within the Maryland Department of Transportation of MDOT.

The Executive Director reports to the Secretary of MDOT, who serves as Chair of the Maryland Port Commission (MPC), is appointed by the Secretary, subject to the approval of the Governor, does not require Senate confirmation, and operates under Maryland law (Title 6 of the Transportation Article) and must comply with State budget, procurement, personnel, and disclosure rules. The MPC has seven commissioners, all appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.

The Executive Director of MPA serves as the chief executive and strategic leader of the Port of Baltimore, responsible for advancing the Port’s competitiveness, strengthening commercial growth, ensuring safe and efficient operations, and maintaining resilient, modern infrastructure. The Executive Director oversees all port terminals, maritime operations, business development, engineering, security, environmental compliance, financial management, and workforce development across the Port’s public terminals. Key responsibilities include strategic & commercial leadership, operational excellence, financial management, stakeholder & community engagement and operational & workforce leadership.

The ideal candidate is a visionary, decisive, and commercially savvy leader— preferably a sitting seasoned executive director or deputy director from a major port or an experienced executive or logistics professional from the private sector, who can grow the organization.

The ideal candidate will bring 10+ years of senior executive experience in maritime, port operations, or large-scale transportation/logistics leadership. A bachelor’s degree is required (advanced degree preferred). Experience working with unions is preferred. Candidates from both the public and private sectors are encouraged to apply.

Competitive compensation package is set by the Maryland Port Commission (MPC) and MDOT, with benefits provided under Maryland state employment systems.

An Equal Opportunity/ADA Employer