Commercial Manager

HOPA Ports is seeking an experienced, relationship-focused commercial leader to turn strategy into opportunity across our growing port and industrial real estate portfolio.

The Commercial team at HOPA Ports team works with Canadian and international companies to identify strategic growth opportunities, and maximizes HOPA’s industrial and commercial assets through leasing, investment and partnerships.

Reporting to the Vice President, Commercial, you will translate HOPA’s commercial strategy into actionable business development, leasing and stakeholder engagement initiatives across our current and future port and industrial real estate portfolio. You will originate and advance opportunities, negotiate agreements, strengthen relationships and coordinate internal expertise to deliver commercially sound solutions.

You will also lead Commercial team members and maintain a customer pipeline from opportunity through implementation and ongoing portfolio management.

• Lead and support a high-performing Commercial team across multiple sites, setting clear priorities, accountability and service expectations.
• Implement commercial priorities established by the Vice President, Commercial and HOPA’s strategic plan, translating growth objectives into practical account plans, leases and stakeholder actions.
• Maintain a prioritized pipeline of commercial opportunities and report on activity, outcomes, barriers, risks and forecasted value.
• Gather market intelligence, customer feedback, industry trends and competitive information; prepare business cases, analyses, presentations and recommendations for decision-making.
• Identify, develop and advance leasing opportunities across HOPA’s Hamilton, Oshawa, Niagara and other managed portfolios.
• Build a diversified prospect and customer pipeline and identify expansion, retention, redevelopment and service opportunities within the existing portfolio.
• Lead stakeholder discovery and coordinate with other HOPA departments to develop comprehensive real estate and supply chain solutions.
• Negotiate leases, licences, amendments, renewals and other commercial agreements within approved authorities and in collaboration with Legal, Finance, Operations, Engineering and Environment teams.
• Develop value-based commercial terms and pricing recommendations that consider asset capability, market conditions, investment requirements, risk and long-term strategic value.
• Protect HOPA’s interests by supporting lease compliance, enforcing lease covenants and HOPA Operating Regulations, and coordinating legal matters as directed.
• Coordinate commercial due diligence and the transition of approved opportunities from negotiation to implementation and ongoing account management.
• Build productive relationships with customers, investors, brokers, industry partners, municipalities, economic development organizations and community stakeholders.
• Represent HOPA at industry events, stakeholder meetings, site visits and community engagements, across HOPA's geographic areas, properties and managed portfolios.
• Act as the commercial lead for assigned accounts and opportunities, coordinating timely, consistent and solution-oriented responses across departments.
• Improve commercial processes, technology, tools, documentation and reporting to increase efficiency, accuracy, visibility and execution effectiveness.
• Support talent development, knowledge sharing, succession readiness and organizational growth.

• Post-secondary education in business administration, real estate, engineering or another relevant field of study.
• Proven negotiation and sales ability in a commercial business or real estate environment.
• A demonstrated record of building strong customer relationships.
• The ability to analyze and understand project financials and use market, operational and risk information to support recommendations.
• A strong understanding of legal documents and lease clauses.
• Intermediate to advanced skills in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Microsoft 365 Copilot and property management software.
• Transportation or shipping industry experience is considered an asset.
• A valid Class G driver’s…