Marine Business Development Manager

Port of Portland; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

The Port of Portland is seeking a Marine Business Development Manager to lead strategies that increase cargo volumes across ocean terminals and related assets. You will cultivate strong relationships with shippers, exporters, importers, and logistics partners to expand multimodal opportunities.

This role requires strategic leadership, collaboration across rail, shipping lines, and terminal operators, and a track record in maritime business development to drive revenue and growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or a related field or equivalent experience.
• 6+ years of experience in maritime business development or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience leading teams (informally or formally).
• Demonstrated ability to build trust, establish credibility, and foster relationships with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategies to grow cargo volumes across Port marine terminals and properties.
• Retain and grow existing customers while recruiting new marine and related businesses.
• Engage shippers, exporters, importers, logistics partners, railroads, and terminal operators to expand cargo movement.
• Collaborate with terminal managers, carriers, and railroads to support customers and create new market opportunities.
• Lead business development efforts and maintain a robust pipeline focused on Oregon shippers and cargo owners.

Skills

Lead generation

Pipeline management

Relationship building

Strategic thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field

6+ years in maritime business development

3+ years of team leadership

Stakeholder relationship management

Job description

The Position

We're hiring a Marine Business Development Manager for the Port of Portland!

About Us

The Port of Portland operates three marine terminals that handle containerized, breakbulk, dry bulk, and auto cargoes that connect businesses across the region to global markets by shipping their products to countries around the world. We provide a competitive advantage for shippers, connect people to the products they love, and support thousands of family-wage jobs!

What You'll Do

As the Marine Business Development Manager, you're responsible for developing and executing strategies that increase cargo volumes, retain and grow existing customers, and recruit new marine and related industrial businesses. Your role also focuses on engaging shippers, cargo owners, exporters, importers, logistics partners, railroads, and terminal operators to expand cargo movement through Port facilities and strengthen multimodal transportation connections. If this work interests you, join the team!

What You'll Get

We offer a flexible hybrid schedule that supports work-life balance while encouraging in-person collaboration. Team members are generally expected to be in the office up to three days per week, with specific days subject to change based on operational needs. PLUS, our office overlooks the beautiful Mt. Hood; you get the opportunity to watch planes take off, and so much more...

Essential Job Duties

• Manage and oversee cargo business portfolios including autos, grain, potash, soda ash, breakbulk, and other bulk commodities.
• Optimize Port assets and marine terminal capabilities to attract additional cargo throughput.
• Promote and market the Port’s marine terminals, industrial properties, transportation connections, and multimodal logistics advantages through customer outreach.
• Strengthen commercial rail and intermodal service by partnering with Union Pacific, Burlington Northern Santa Fe BNSF, and other logistics providers.
• Collaborate with terminal managers, terminal operators/stevedores, carriers, railroads, and other partners to support customers and develop new market opportunities.
• Cultivate strong relationships with shippers, exporters, agricultural producers, manufacturers, CROSA, AAPA, and other trade associations to increase awareness of Port capabilities and expand business.
• Represent the Port at industry functions and travel as necessary to meet customers and advance commercial objectives.

Strategic Business Development & Growth

• Develop and implement strategies that grow cargo volumes, revenue, and new business opportunities across Port marine terminals and industrial properties.
• Identify prospective marine customers, understand transportation and supply-chain needs, and create commercially viable solutions.
• Build and maintain an active pipeline of cargo and business-development opportunities, focusing on Oregon shippers and beneficial cargo owners.
• Lead complex strategic initiatives critical to future terminal development and revenue growth.

Leadership and Reporting

• Provide leadership and oversight of business development functions, including strategy implementation, goal setting, metrics, and performance management.
• Develop business cases, market analyses, proposals, and recommendations supporting cargo growth.
• Demonstrate accountability and support the Port’s proactive safety culture.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, International Trade, Supply Chain Management, Logistics or Transportation or a closely related field of study. Or a combination of education and experience is required (additional experience may substitute for the education qualifications)
• Minimum of 6 years of experience managing a program in maritime business development or related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience leading teams informally or formally.
• Demonstrated ability to build trust, establish credibility, and foster strong relationships while navigating complex situations and collaborating with diverse stakeholders to achieve shared goals.

Licenses & Certifications

• Maintaining a valid state driver's license is required.
• Obtaining and maintaining a valid U.S. passport at the time of hire is required.
• Must successfully pass a comprehensive background check.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) from the Federal government is required. All licensing fees will be reimbursed by the Port of Portland.

Demonstrated Skills & Knowledge

• Demonstrate commitment to valuing differences among individuals and a passion for being inclusive.
• Lead generation, customer qualification, and pipeline management.
• Ability to develop commercially viable transportation and logistics solutions
• Promote safety as a guiding principle and regular practice in accomplishing work, focus on safety improvements, and comply with safety and health policies and procedures.
• Show the utmost respect for others and act as a team player.
• Business development processes and marketing principles and practices.
• International business practices.
• Knowledge of financial and accounting principles.
• Transportation and facility planning development.
• Land development and redevelopment.
• Excellent communication, including presentations and written documents.
• Ability to build strong relationships.
• Ability to manage conflict.

Supplemental and Selection Information

• Applications will be accepted through October 5, 2026. A minimum qualification evaluation of education, training, and experience for submitted application packets will be conducted by Human Resources that same week..
• A Subject Matter Expert (SME) Panel will perform an evaluation of experience and training taken from your employment application materials.
• Our goal is to schedule virtual first round of interviews with candidates who successfully passed the SME evaluation by mid-October; followed by a second round of panel interviews.

About Us

At the Port of Portland, we use everything we have – our three airports, three working marine terminals, six business parks, and all the resources, expertise, and experience behind them – to move with purpose, connecting people with powerful opportunities and creating value for our region. We know that every person we hire, business we work with, contract we sign and decision we make is a chance to make someone’s life better. And we’ll use our power and influence to unlock new opportunities and ensure more people share in our region’s success. With YOUR help – together with our partners, customers, and community – we’ll help drive meaningful change!

Do you have questions about this job?

Contact us: [e-mail]

Safety

The Port promotes safety as a Core value and we seek to eliminate harm through a culture of active prevention, curiosity, evaluation, and action. We comply with safety and health policies and procedures and consistently look for improvements that support operational excellence.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Port of Portland is dedicated to maintaining and improving a work environment, which extends equal opportunity to all individuals, regardless of their race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability or sexual orientation. Employment decisions shall be made in such a manner as to further the principle of equal employment opportunity and to comply with state, federal and local laws. We affirm through this policy statement our continuing commitment to the principles of nondiscrimination.

Veterans Preference

Under Oregon law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans’ preference when applying for Port of Portland positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veteran’s preference for this job, please provide the qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Background Checks and Drug Testing

The Port of Portland will conduct background checks and/or drug tests for positions where such tests are required by regulation and for other safety-sensitive positions.

ADA Accommodation

Accommodations will be considered for applicants or candidates with a qualifying disability that prevents them from participating in this process. Accommodations will be made where the Port can reasonably do so without imposing an undue hardship on the business or compromising the integrity of the recruitment process. An applicant with any disability who believes that they need an accommodation should contact Human Resources: call 503-415-6690 or email [e-mail].

Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal

https://www.eeoc.gov/know-your-rights-workplace-discrimination-illegal

Benefits

At the Port of Portland, we strive to offer a holistic and comprehensive benefits package for employees and their families. We care about your health by offering highly-subsidized healthcare plans that include alternative care. We look out for you and for family by paying for life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&DD) insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage. We participate in the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) retirement program. We provide access to additional coverage and benefits including pre-tax spending accounts, voluntary term life insurance, a deferred compensation plan, and critical illness and accident insurance policies.

We go above and beyond by offering an award-winning wellness program for all employees to engage in. Employees can tend to their physical and mental health, earn rewards, and create community. Our employee assistance program supports the Port’s commitment to emotional and mental well-being by providing mental health services, discounts on local gyms, and pet insurance for companions.

Our commitment to work-life balance ensures you have time to spend with loved ones and do the things you enjoy. We offer generous vacation time that accrues with length of service, sick leave that never expires and can be used for dependent care, health maintenance and mental health, and 8 weeks of paid parental leave – all in addition to 10 paid holidays. As an added bonus – because we know employees use their time off differently – once a year we give employees the opportunity to convert sick leave to personal leave, and to convert vacation leave to either cash, a retirement plan contribution, or a contribution to a Health Savings Account.

Please note: Some benefits vary by job type/group, so please be sure to review your comprehensive benefit guide and/or collective bargaining agreement upon hire to confirm what is available.