Program Manager

Port Of Camas-Washougal; Washougal (WA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 153,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical & Dental Insurance (Premiums—F

Life Insurance

Long-Term Disability

WA PERS Retirement

Vacation & Sick Leave

Paid Holidays

Floating Holidays

VEBA Wellness Benefit

Phone Reimbursement

Job summary

Port Of Camas-Washougal is seeking an experienced Program Manager (Exempt, Full-Time) to join the Leadership Team. The role provides strategic direction across departments, aligning policies with regulatory and fiscal responsibilities while advancing the Port’s priorities.

The ideal candidate will lead organizational alignment, communications, and stakeholder engagement, reporting to the Executive Director with extensive program leadership experience.

Qualifications

• Senior-level management experience in public administration, government relations, or public-sector leadership.
• Knowledge of change management and intergovernmental issues influencing Port operations.
• Ability to represent the organization persuasively to internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong leadership with conflict-resolution and team-building capabilities.
• Knowledge of public policy development and legislative processes.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to advance the Port’s mission, strategic plan, and priorities.
• Lead cross-department policy development and performance reporting.
• Coordinate data collection and prepare performance reports for leadership.
• Oversee Strategic Plan performance and milestone tracking.
• Manage special projects and coordinate deliverables and deadlines.
• Represent the Port in public forums and stakeholder engagements.
• Assist ED with legislative relations and communications.

Skills

Senior-level management

Public administration

Legislative affairs

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Policy development

Negotiation

Team leadership

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration/Business/Economics/Real Estate/Urban Planning

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Position Term: Exempt, Full-Time, 3 Year Contract

Salary Range: $107,709.52 - $152,618.61

Job Closing Date: 10/16/2026

BENEFITS PAID BY THE PORT

• Full Family Medical/Dental Insurance: Premium fully covered.
• Life Insurance: Premium fully covered.
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance: Premium fully covered.
• WA State PERS Retirement: Employer contribution 5.5%.
• Vacation/Sick Leave: Accrue 8 hours of Vacation and Sick leave at the end of every month.
• Paid Holidays: 12 Employer paid holidays a year
• Floating Holidays: 3 Floating holiday days
• Wellness Benefit: $35 Month (up to $420 per year) Deposited into a VEBA account.
• Cell Phone Reimbursement: Partial reimbursement is available.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Overview:

Under the general direction of the Executive Director (ED), the Program Manager serves as a member of the Leadership Team and provides strategic, cross-functional leadership to advance the Port’s mission, strategic plan, and annual priorities. The position leads and supports Port-wide policy development, performance measurement and reporting, process improvement initiatives, strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, legislative affairs, and special projects as assigned.

The Program Manager works across departments to promote organizational alignment, strengthen systems and operating practices, and ensure that programs, projects, initiatives, and policies are coordinated, accountable, and responsive to the Port’s operational, regulatory, fiscal, and community responsibilities.

The principal duties and responsibilities listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position. Duties and responsibilities are also subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Essential responsibilities for the Program Manager position may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Organizational Alignment

• Provide leadership support to the ED to advance the Port’s mission, strategic agenda and fulfill annual priorities.
• Serve as a key member of the Leadership Team, contributing to cross-departmental planning, policy development, and operational performance.
• Facilitate effective interdepartmental communication to ensure alignment with Port goals, policies, and performance expectations.
• Perform Port-wide and department specific analysis of policies and operating procedures; then update, develop and deploy policies, programs, and procedures that ensure regulatory compliance, fiscal responsibility, accountability, and effective risk management practices.
• Identify and address organizational inefficiencies or gaps through systems thinking approaches and process improvement initiatives.
• Oversee the Port’s Strategic Plan performance reporting – including identifying and developing performance measures, coordinating data collection, analyzing results and preparing reports.
• Develop work plans for assigned Port-wide initiatives, including milestones, responsibilities, and methods for tracking progress. Identify barriers, coordinate follow-up, and report progress to the ED and Leadership Team.
• Manage special projects assigned by the ED, including coordinating participants, tracking deliverables and deadlines, and preparing recommendations or final reports.

Communication and Stakeholder Management

• Represent the Port in internal and external settings, including public forums, advisory committees, business engagements, and civic and political events.
• Oversee the implementation of the Communications and Customer Service Plan – including providing training on messaging and brand to ensure department staff are consistently using the plan.
• Stay up to date on emerging communication trends and technologies; recommend, develop and manage new communications tools that broaden and deepen the Port’s communications efforts.
• Provide strategic communications and engagement guidance to operational and project teams.
• Prepare or coordinate presentations, reports, and other communications for the ED, Leadership Team, and Port Commission as assigned.
• Track state and federal legislation relevant to the Port’s priorities, assess its potential impact on the Port, and provide strategic guidance and recommendations on position statements. Provide reports to the Leadership Team and Commissioners as appropriate.
• Monitor legislative calendars, committee hearings, and stakeholder actions; ensure Leadership Team is aware of items affecting the Port’s priorities.
• Provide support to the ED in establishing and maintaining relationships with legislators, congressional staff, consultants, lobbyists, intergovernmental partners, industry groups and community organizations.
• Assist in scheduling legislative meetings, preparing materials, and participating in meetings and events.

Job Scope & Accountability:

The Program Manager reports directly to the ED. Work is of a diverse and highly complex nature, frequently requiring careful analysis and sound judgment.The incumbent operates independently within established policies, procedures, and regulations, while also leading the development and implementation of organizational policies and procedures.This role collaborates closely with the ED on operational and strategic planning and execution.Errors or lapse in judgment can impact the Port's reputation and weaken stakeholder relationships, potentially resulting in lost revenue and negative impacts on the Port’s bond rating.

Supervisory Responsibility:

This is not a direct supervisory position. The Program Manager may exercise functional and technical supervision over assigned professional, management, and administrative staff on specific assigned projects and initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications:

Required Knowledge / Skills / Abilities:

• Demonstrated senior-level management experience in public administration, government relations, legislative affairs, and/or communications, preferably within a port or public sector environment.
• Knowledge of principles, practices, and methods of change management and the social, intergovernmental, and operational issues influencing Port operations.
• Ability to represent the organization persuasively and diplomatically to internal and external stakeholders, community partners, business leaders, government officials, and the community at large.
• Strong leadership skills with demonstrated conflict-resolution, team building, and personnel management capabilities.
• In-depth knowledge of principles and practices of public policy development, legislative processes and government relations.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to foster collaborative partnerships.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with ability to prioritize and manage multiple complex initiatives/projects simultaneously under tight deadlines.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently while effectively integrating into and leading a professional team.
• Proven critical thinking and problem-solving skills, exercising sound judgement and discretion in sensitive or complex situations.
• Ability to analyze and identify complex administrative, operational, economic, financial, budgetary, and organizational issues; evaluate alternatives; provide sound, logical, fact-based conclusions and recommendations.
• Ability to collect, evaluate, and interpret complex data in statistical and narrative forms; ability to use quantitative and qualitative analysis, tools and modeling; and synthesis findings into clear, compelling narratives that communicate the Port’s work, performance, and community outcomes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to effectively engage with diverse audiences such as business clients, public officials, community members, and stakeholders.
• Proficiency in standard office software and specialized tools relevant to port operations, economic development, and property management functions.
• Commitment to principles of equity, inclusion, transparency, and ethical conduct in public service.

Education and/or Experience:

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business, Economics, Real Estate, Urban Planning or related field (advanced degree preferred).

Experience:

• 7+ years of progressive leadership in port operations, economic development, real estate, or public-sector administration.
• Demonstrated success in supervising staff, managing budgets, and overseeing complex projects, programs and initiatives.
• Experience working with elected boards, public agencies, businesses, and diverse community stakeholders.
• Experience directing operational activities, communications, community engagement, marketing, financial oversight, and other activities relevant to public-sector administration or Port operations.
• Familiarity with federal, state, and local regulations impacting port operations and development.