Port of Baltimore, MD - Executive Director

Alliance Resource Consulting; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 200,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

The Maryland Port Administration (MPA) seeks an Executive Director to lead the Port of Baltimore, guiding strategy, operations, and growth. The ideal candidate has 10+ years of senior leadership in maritime or logistics, a bachelor’s degree, and unions-experience is preferred. Public or private sector backgrounds welcome. Compensation is set by the Maryland Port Commission and MDOT.

Awarded compensation reflects the port’s important role in the state’s economy and regional logistics network.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Serve as the chief executive and strategic leader of the Port of Baltimore.
• Oversee all port terminals, maritime operations, business development, engineering, security, environmental compliance, financial management and workforce development.
• Drive strategic and commercial leadership, operational excellence and broad stakeholder/community engagement to grow the port's competitiveness.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Maritime/port operations

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree

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.