Executive Director, Maryland Port Administration

Maryland Department of Transportation; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

The Maryland Port Administration seeks an Executive Director to lead the Port of Baltimore, overseeing terminals, operations, finance, and development across public port facilities.

The role requires strategic vision, strong governance experience, and the ability to build partnerships with carriers, labor, customers, and government partners to sustain growth and ensure safe, compliant, and competitive port operations.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to lead large public-sector maritime organizations.
• Strong orientation to strategic growth and port competitiveness.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement with government, labor, carriers, and customers.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a forward-looking strategic vision for the Port of Baltimore.
• Oversee terminal operations, finances, procurement, and workforce development.
• Lead marketing, negotiations, and long-term growth initiatives with carriers and tenants.
• Represent the Port regionally, nationally, and internationally, building strong partnerships.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Maritime/commercial strategy

Stakeholder relations

Governance & compliance

Budget management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

The Maryland Department of Transportation invites interested and qualified professionals to apply for the position of Executive Director, Maryland Port Administration.

About Port of Baltimore, MD

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.

Recent performance highlights include:

• Strong cargo growth across autos, containers, breakbulk, and general cargo, with double-digit growth in roll-on/roll-off cargo and notable increases in container and general cargo compared to prior years.
• The Port handled $74.3 billion in foreign cargo value and achieved new records across several lines of business (autos, containers, forest products).
• Major infrastructure expansions underway, including CSX’s Howard Street Tunnel expansion, enabling double-stack rail access and increasing container throughput capacity by approximately 160,000 containers annually, along with significant job creation.
• A uniquely deep 50-foot berth, 50-foot channel, and Super Post-Panamax cranes supporting ultra-large container ship operations.
• The recent arrival of the Evergreen Ever Max (165,350 tons; 15,432 TEU capacity) which underscores Baltimore’s ability to accommodate the largest vessels calling on the East Coast.

The Department

Governing Structure

• 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.
• Operates under Maryland law (Title 6 of the Transportation Article) and must comply with State budget, procurement, personnel, and disclosure rules.

The MPC consists of seven commissioners, all appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.

The Position

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.

Among other things, the Executive Director is responsible for providing strategic direction and implementing a high-quality sustainable vision that will provide lasting economic benefits to the Port and Maryland as a whole.

The Executive Director represents the Port regionally, nationally, and internationally, building strong partnerships with carriers, maritime stakeholders, labor unions, private businesses, community groups, and federal/state governmental partners.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic & Commercial Leadership

• Develop and implement a forward-looking strategic vision for the Port.
• Position the Port competitively within the global maritime sector.
• Grow business across all major cargo categories (autos, containers, breakbulk, roll-on/roll-off, cruise).
• Lead marketing, commercial negotiations, and long-term growth strategies to attract new carriers, shipping lines, and tenants.
• Represent the Port in national maritime forums, including AAPA and MARAD.

Operational Excellence

• Direct the management of all Port operations across state-owned marine terminals, including finances, procurement, human capital, engineering, maintenance, administration, tenant relations and business development.
• Ensure safe, secure, resilient operations that meet federal/state maritime regulations.
• Provide vision, motivation, and leadership to personnel towards the achievement of the Port’s mission, strategy, and goals.
• Strengthen port efficiency, reliability, and competitiveness.
• Oversee emergency preparedness, incident response, and continuity plans.

Capital Program & Infrastructure Development

• Lead the planning and delivery of major capital projects, including wharf rehabilitation, terminal modernization, dredging programs, and equipment upgrades.
• Direct and manage efforts to obtain local, state, and federal financial resources to support Port programs of projects.
• Coordinate with MDOT, and external partners to deliver infrastructure on time and within budget.

Manage the State of Maryland’s Dredged Material Management Program

• Support, champion, and market with Port stakeholders transformative projects like double-stack rail capability and berth expansion.

Financial Management

• Oversee annual operating and capital budgets.
• Ensure strong financial stewardship, transparency, and adherence to State fiscal rules.
• Manage rate structures, leases, contracts, and long-term revenue strategy to ensure the port is as self-sustaining as possible.

Stakeholder & Community Engagement

• Foster positive relationships with labor organizations, maritime businesses, community groups, elected officials, and federal/state regulatory partners.
• Maintain strong union partnerships and support collaborative labor relations.
• Communicate consistently and transparently with customers, partners, and the public.

Organizational & Workforce Leadership

• Manage a large, diverse workforce including operations, engineering, commercial, administrative, and environmental staff.
• Promote a high-performance, inclusive culture with accountability and professional development.
• Oversee contractor and vendor management across terminals and port facilities.

Qualifications

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. They possess a strong background in commercial marketing, strategic planning, and navigating complex governance and funding environments. The successful candidate must be a proactive builder who can transition the Port of Baltimore to a long-term economic force, modernize its Master Plan and Economic Impact Study, and champion global business opportunities while maintaining strong community trust.

Areas of Expertise Needed:

• Commercial Marketing & Strategic Growth: Strong expertise in commercial marketing, performance metrics and looking beyond individual relationships toward global economic opportunities.
• Financial & Infrastructure Navigation: Demonstrated experience identifying alternative funding sources, managing capital programs, and executing major terminal or infrastructure projects under tight budget constraints.
• Stakeholder & Labor Relations: Proven capability in building and maintaining relationships with diverse stakeholders, including state agencies, community groups, and labor unions.
• Decisive Operational Leadership: A track record of making difficult operational and strategic decisions without over-politicizing routine choices, balancing short-term tactical needs with long-term vision.

Areas of Challenges and Potential Opportunity:

• Financial & Funding Pressures: Navigating a challenging financial climate with limited transportation trust fund resources to secure necessary infrastructure investments.
• Strategic & Master Plan Revitalization: Overcoming slow-moving strategic planning by reviewing and reimagining the Port’s Master Plan from the ground up.
• Commercial & Marketing Deficit: Reshaping and reimagining the current focus and strategic direction within the MPA business development department.
• State Government & External Coordination: Managing multi-agency cooperation and coordinating responses on major external challenges or emergencies, such as the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Education and Experience

The ideal candidate will bring 10+ years of senior executive experience in maritime, port operations, or large-scale transportation/logistics leadership and should demonstrate:

• Experience bridging both commercial/business strategy and maritime/terminal operations.
• Senior-level experience directing operations, engineering, finance, marketing, or related functions in a port or maritime environment.
• Comprehensive understanding of global maritime competition and international markets.
• Strong relationships within the maritime community, locally and internationally.
• A broad understanding of the bottom-line, solid analytical skills, a strong business acumen and outstanding management skills.
• Reputation for professionalism, integrity, and trustworthiness.
• Experience working with labor organizations and fostering cooperative labor-management relationships.
• Proven ability to negotiate complex agreements with shippers, carriers, concessionaires, and logistics providers.
• Strong understanding of the economic role of ports in regional and statewide development.
• Exceptional leadership skills: interpersonal, negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management.
• Experience managing large public-sector agencies, including employees, contractors, and significant state-owned assets.
• Aptitude for strategic planning and adaptability in a highly competitive maritime market.
• Understanding of Maryland’s political environment and ability to work with federal, state, and local partners.

Bachelor’s degree required (advanced degree preferred).

Experience working with unions is preferred.

Salary & Benefits

Competitive compensation package is set by the Maryland Port Commission (MPC) and MDOT, with benefits provided under Maryland state employment systems. MPC has authority to approve compensation and leave for the Executive Director above that provided to typical state employees.