Executive Director

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Panama City Port Authority, Florida

The Panama City Port Authority seeks a highly qualified, experienced, and strategic executive to serve as Executive Director, responsible for the overall leadership, management, and performance of a full-service, operational deep-water port on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

The Executive Director serves as the Port’s chief executive officer and is accountable to the Port Governing Board for all operational, financial, strategic, and administrative functions of the Port. The Port is a dependent special district of the State of Florida whose Board is appointed by the City of Panama City. The ideal candidate has demonstrated expertise in port and terminal operations, public-sector governance, infrastructure development, maritime commerce, and government relations at the local, state, and federal levels.

• Responsible for day-to-day port operations, including cargo handling, dock operations, safety, security, and regulatory compliance.
• Manage relationships with tenants, stevedores, shipping lines, rail providers, trucking companies, harbor pilots, and other port users to ensure efficient, competitive, and customer-focused operations.
• Ensure operational excellence across all Port activities while maintaining compliance with applicable maritime, environmental, and navigational regulations.

• Provide executive leadership and supervision of the Port’s administrative staff and terminal operational workforce, consisting of approximately 70 employees.
• Establish a culture of safety, accountability, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure effective employee relations, workforce planning, training, and performance management.

• Lead long-term strategic planning, including port infrastructure development, capital improvements, land use planning, and future terminal expansion.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to grow cargo volumes, diversify revenue streams, and enhance the Port’s competitive position within the Southeast United States and Gulf Coast region.
• Coordinate with local and regional economic development partners to support port-dependent industrial growth and job creation.

• Oversee all aspects of the Port’s financial operations, including budgeting, financial reporting, capital planning, debt management, and internal controls.
• Ensure the Port’s financial sustainability and long-term fiscal health.
• Develop and monitor performance metrics and operational benchmarks.

• Lead the identification, application, and administration of state and federal grants, particularly those related to maritime infrastructure, transportation, and economic development.
• Manage grants and funding relationships with government agencies including, but not limited to:
  • Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)
  • Federal Department of Transportation Maritime Administration
  • Federal, state, and local Economic Development Administrations (EDAs)
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
  • Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc.

• Ensure compliance with all grant requirements, reporting obligations, and funding conditions.

• Serve as the Port’s primary liaison with local, state, and federal officials, agencies, and stakeholders.
• Maintain productive relationships with elected officials, regulatory agencies, and industry partners.
• Represent the Port at public meetings, industry conferences, legislative briefings, and community events.

• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations governing public entities in the State of Florida and ports and maritime activity, including environmental protection, waterways, and navigational requirements.
• Possess and apply strong working knowledge of Florida public-sector law, including:
  • Public Records requirements
  • Open Meetings (Sunshine Law)
  • Public procurement and governmental processes
• Work closely with legal counsel and insurance brokers to manage risk and ensure good governance.

Interested candidates should submit the following: