Career Center

Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Port Administration (MDOT MPA)
Executive Director

Position: Executive Director
Organization: Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Port Administration (MDOT MPA)
Location: Baltimore, MD
Reporting Relationship: A seven-person Commission appointed by the Governor, with the Secretary of Transportation serving as Chair
Website: https://mpa.maryland.gov/Pages/default.aspx

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND
The Port is a major economic engine for the Greater Baltimore region and the entire State of Maryland generating about 15,300 direct jobs, with nearly 140,000 jobs overall linked to Port activities. The Port ranks first among the nation’s ports for volume of autos and light trucks, roll on/roll off heavy farm and construction machinery, and imported gypsum. It ranks 11th among major U.S. ports for foreign cargo handled and ninth for total foreign cargo value. The Port is responsible for nearly $3.3 billion in personal wages and salaries, $2.6 billion in business revenues and $395 million in state and local tax revenues annually.

2023 has proven to be a strong year for Maryland’s port which is made up of seven public cargo terminals and more than 25 private terminals and other maritime facilities. The most recent figures through May show major commodities at the state-owned, public marine terminals such as roll-on/roll-off farm and construction equipment, containers and general cargo are all up year to date compared to 2022. Roll-on/roll-off cargo is up 30%, containers are up 10% and general cargo is up 8%. The 2023 start follows an outstanding 2022, when the Port handled a record $74.3 billion in foreign cargo and established other new records for roll-on/roll-off, containers, general cargo, and forest products despite worldwide supply chain issues.

The Port’s rising container business will be further buoyed by the ongoing CSX-owned Howard Street Tunnel expansion project in Baltimore scheduled to be completed in 2026, which will allow for double-stacked container rail cars, clearing a longtime hurdle for the Port and giving the East Coast seamless double-stack capacity from Maine to Florida. The project involves clearance improvements in the 127-year-old tunnel and at 21 other locations between Baltimore and Philadelphia. With the tunnel expansion project, Baltimore will be able to send double stacked containers by rail into the Ohio Valley and onto Chicago. The tunnel work is expected to increase the Port’s business by about 160,000 containers annually. It also will generate about 6,550 construction jobs and an additional 7,300 jobs from the increased business.

Looking forward, the Port is in a position for continued success by remaining one of the few ports on the East Coast with a fully functional 50-foot berth, 50-foot-deep navigation channels, and super-post-Panama cranes. In August, the Port welcomed the largest container ship ever to visit Maryland with the arrival of the Evergreen Ever Max weighing 165,350 tons and the capacity to handle 15,432 Twenty-foot Equivalent (TEU) containers.

Overview of MDOT MPA's Governing Structure
MDOT MPA is a state agency within the Maryland Department of Transportation. The Executive Director of MDOT MPA reports to the Secretary of Transportation, who reports to the Governor. MDOT MPA is overseen by a seven-person Commission with the Secretary of Transportation serving as Chair. All members of the Maryland Port Commission (MPC) are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Maryland State Senate. The Executive Director of the MDOT MPA does not need Senate confirmation.

As a state agency, MDOT MPA must operate under and comply with State budget, procurement, and personnel rules. The MPC and MDOT MPA have several unique duties, powers, and privileges under Maryland law, which can be found under Title 6 of the Maryland Transportation Code.

THE OPPORTUNITY AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Executive Director of MDOT MPA is responsible for developing and implementing a strategic vision for the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore (the Port), as well as directing a large public agency with a diverse and dedicated state government workforce and a myriad of administrative and fiscal obligations. The Executive Director is expected to perform the following responsibilities: strengthen the Port's competitive position within the international maritime community; promote the Port's interests regionally, nationally, and internationally; foster positive relationships with private businesses, public officials, Port labor, customers, and the public at large; successfully manage the Port's public terminals and other state-owned assets; provide environmental leadership that balances the needs of the Port and stakeholder requirements; and facilitate a safe, secure, efficient, and resilient seaport necessary to support current operations and future growth at the Port's public and private terminals.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate for this position will be at least 10 years of broad, senior-level experience, and a proven respected leader. They will be a seasoned professional with extensive experience in the maritime industry and who embodies most, if not all, the following qualities:

• Extensive exposure to both the business-side and the operations-side of the maritime industry, including senior-level experience directing operations, planning, engineering, marketing, finance, and/or other activities relevant to a port's successful operation
• Significant maritime marketing and/or sales experience, and a comprehensive understanding of international markets and competition
• Established relationships with key people in the maritime community – locally, nationally, and internationally – and the ability to build upon and use those relationships to expand business at the Port
• A strong reputation for professionalism and trustworthiness in the maritime community.
• Experience in working with maritime labor organizations and fostering cooperation between labor and management
• Experience in making agreements and negotiating contracts with shippers, carriers, and other transportation providers
• A thorough understanding of the economic significance of the Port within the Baltimore region and the State of Maryland
• Strong leadership abilities, including interpersonal, negotiation, and public speaking skills
• An ability to manage a state agency that includes hundreds of state employees, contractors and subcontractors, and many state-owned facilities and properties
• An aptitude for strategic planning and ability to change direction, if necessary, so the Port can successfully compete in the highly competitive maritime industry
• An understanding of Maryland's unique political environment and the ability to work with public sector partners at the federal, state, and local levels on a variety of topics, including proper dredged material management and appropriate maritime land use policies.

EDUCATION
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university required

COMPENSATION
A competitive compensation package will be provided to attracted outstanding candidates. As an employee of the State of Maryland, the Executive Director is entitled to the health and retirement benefits provided to state workers under state law. In addition, the Maryland Port Commission has the authority to approve compensation and leave for the Executive Director above and beyond those provided to other state employees, depending on the Executive Director's qualifications and experience.

APPLY
For more information and to apply, please visit https://kfopportunities.loop.jobs/go/ext/K5BDZD/242