Port of Portland
Director Business & Economic Development
Port of Portland, Portland, Oregon, United States, 97204
The Port of Portland is hiring a
Director, Economic & Business Development
The Port of Portland is hiring for a Director, Economic & Business Development to lead the Port’s efforts to create inclusive economic growth with efforts that expand quality jobs, enhance global market access, increase productive use of Port assets, and strengthen the region’s competitiveness with a broad range of partners.
Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Program Oversight
Lead the design and execution of initiatives to expand economic opportunity, increase traded‑sector employment, and strengthen global market access.
Oversee programs that support firms in overcoming growth barriers, accessing resources, and creating accessible employment opportunities across key industry clusters.
Drive business retention, expansion, and attraction in alignment with business objectives.
Guide annual planning, performance measurement, and continuous improvement to ensure initiatives align with organizational goals and market conditions.
Trade & Global Market Development
Work with partners to advance a unified statewide trade strategy and increase international trade‑related employment.
Oversee the Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) program and other tools that improve business competitiveness in international markets.
Lead team responsible for building and maintaining strategic relationships with shippers, carriers, logistics providers, and industrial tenants to identify market access needs and expand service options through Port assets.
Support trade missions and develop partnerships that enhance global connectivity for traded‑sector industries.
Regional Economic Development & Policy Alignment
Collaborate with regional, state, and local partners to align economic development priorities, attract investment, and shape strategies that promote inclusive growth.
Lead engagement in policy analysis and advocacy that strengthens the region’s traded‑sector ecosystem and infrastructure.
Analytics, Reporting & Market Intelligence
Strengthen the Port’s economic and market analytics capacity to inform business decisions, strategic priorities, and investment.
Monitor emerging trends affecting economic opportunities and competitiveness and recommend adaptive strategies.
Team Management
Oversee and provide leadership direction to Port staff engaged in research, international trade, economic development, business development, and coalition building to advance property plans, promote and facilitate access to global markets, and shape regional inclusive economic growth.
Full job description available upon request.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree – Economics, Business, Public Administration, or related field (additional experience may substitute for the education qualifications).
Master's Degree (preferred, not required) in Economics, Business, Public Administration, or related field.
Ten (10) + years of progressively responsible experience in economic development, international trade, or business development,
including at least 5 years in management.
Demonstrated success managing complete initiatives involving multiple public and private stakeholders.
A United States Passport is required for this role, as international travel is required.
Selection Process: (tentative schedule):
A minimum qualification evaluation of the education, training, and experience of submitted application packets will take place by Human Resources until this role closes on 11/23/2025.
A Subject Matter Expert (SME) Panel will perform an evaluation of experience and training taken from your employment application materials.
Our goal is to notify candidates who are selected for interviews by 11/26/2025. We will then schedule virtual first round of interviews with candidates who successfully passed the SME evaluation at the beginning of December. Panel Interviews will be held afterward.
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Director, Economic & Business Development
The Port of Portland is hiring for a Director, Economic & Business Development to lead the Port’s efforts to create inclusive economic growth with efforts that expand quality jobs, enhance global market access, increase productive use of Port assets, and strengthen the region’s competitiveness with a broad range of partners.
Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Program Oversight
Lead the design and execution of initiatives to expand economic opportunity, increase traded‑sector employment, and strengthen global market access.
Oversee programs that support firms in overcoming growth barriers, accessing resources, and creating accessible employment opportunities across key industry clusters.
Drive business retention, expansion, and attraction in alignment with business objectives.
Guide annual planning, performance measurement, and continuous improvement to ensure initiatives align with organizational goals and market conditions.
Trade & Global Market Development
Work with partners to advance a unified statewide trade strategy and increase international trade‑related employment.
Oversee the Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) program and other tools that improve business competitiveness in international markets.
Lead team responsible for building and maintaining strategic relationships with shippers, carriers, logistics providers, and industrial tenants to identify market access needs and expand service options through Port assets.
Support trade missions and develop partnerships that enhance global connectivity for traded‑sector industries.
Regional Economic Development & Policy Alignment
Collaborate with regional, state, and local partners to align economic development priorities, attract investment, and shape strategies that promote inclusive growth.
Lead engagement in policy analysis and advocacy that strengthens the region’s traded‑sector ecosystem and infrastructure.
Analytics, Reporting & Market Intelligence
Strengthen the Port’s economic and market analytics capacity to inform business decisions, strategic priorities, and investment.
Monitor emerging trends affecting economic opportunities and competitiveness and recommend adaptive strategies.
Team Management
Oversee and provide leadership direction to Port staff engaged in research, international trade, economic development, business development, and coalition building to advance property plans, promote and facilitate access to global markets, and shape regional inclusive economic growth.
Full job description available upon request.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree – Economics, Business, Public Administration, or related field (additional experience may substitute for the education qualifications).
Master's Degree (preferred, not required) in Economics, Business, Public Administration, or related field.
Ten (10) + years of progressively responsible experience in economic development, international trade, or business development,
including at least 5 years in management.
Demonstrated success managing complete initiatives involving multiple public and private stakeholders.
A United States Passport is required for this role, as international travel is required.
Selection Process: (tentative schedule):
A minimum qualification evaluation of the education, training, and experience of submitted application packets will take place by Human Resources until this role closes on 11/23/2025.
A Subject Matter Expert (SME) Panel will perform an evaluation of experience and training taken from your employment application materials.
Our goal is to notify candidates who are selected for interviews by 11/26/2025. We will then schedule virtual first round of interviews with candidates who successfully passed the SME evaluation at the beginning of December. Panel Interviews will be held afterward.
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