Community Affairs Business Partner

Community Affairs Business Partner

The Port of Portland is hiring a Community Affairs Business Partner to support our Trade and Economic Development work!

As the TED Community Affairs Business Partner, you will serve as a trusted advisor and connector between the Port, businesses, public agencies, community partners, and the communities impacted by our work. You will partner closely with Port leaders and project teams to shape and implement engagement strategies, strengthen relationships with key partners, anticipate emerging issues, and identify opportunities that support economic development and community priorities.

This role will work across a diverse portfolio of Trade and Economic Development projects, helping the Port navigate the intersection of business, government, and community. The position will also collaborate closely with our Outreach and Education staff to deliver meaningful programs, partnerships, and engagement efforts that connect communities to the Port's work and opportunities.

With our three airports, three operating marine terminals, and six business parks, the Port of Portland is an economic engine for transforming this region into a place where everyone is welcome, empowered, and connected to the opportunity to find a good job or grow their business.

We offer a flexible hybrid schedule that supports work-life balance while encouraging in-person collaboration. Team members are generally expected to be in the office up to three days per week, with specific days subject to change based on operational needs. PLUS, our office overlooks the beautiful Mt Hood, you get the opportunity to watch planes take off, and so much more...

Business Line Support

• Support the implementation of public-private and/or multi-sector initiatives for project teams across assigned division(s), ensuring business, community, and local government perspectives and engagement are integrated early and meaningfully into project planning and decision-making.
• Develops a deep understanding of business-line stakeholders including traded-sector industries.
• Leads the development of strategic engagement plans and approaches for key projects and initiatives.
• Monitors and provides insight on policy and regulatory developments that may affect assigned business-line priorities.
• Leads and supports public-facing engagements such as events, hearings, open houses, and community meetings, including those involving complex or sensitive issues.
• Translates insights into actionable counsel for business-line partners.
• Manages consultants supporting facilitation, outreach, research, translation, and other project-related needs.

Outreach and Community Partnerships

• Supports public understanding of the role and impact of the Port of Portland in the region.
• Builds, owns and stewards relationships with community, business, industry, government, and other external partners relevant to Port and business-line priorities.
• Works with community-based organizations, external partners and Port leaders to understand community priorities and identify opportunities to incorporate them into Port initiatives.
• Represents the Port in public venues, on committees, and at other highly visible public events.
• Identifies opportunities for partnerships and multi-sector collaboration that advance Port, community, and shared prosperity objectives.
• Gathers and synthesizes stakeholder feedback, including from communities historically excluded from or disproportionately impacted by Port operations, and brings relevant insights back into organizational planning and decision-making.
• Serves on and actively participates in external councils, coalitions, committees and other regional groups. Serves as a primary point of contact and relationship lead for assigned partners and organizations.

Community Impact Portfolio

• Supports development, evaluation and continuous improvement of Community Impact programs, practices and tools, including strategic sponsor ships, memberships and outreach initiatives..
• Leads and supports trainings, workshops and professional development opportunities for staff and community partners.
• Represents Community Impact on internal councils, committees, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Leads or supports special initiatives that advance shared prosperity goals and objectives.
• Coaches, reviews work, and mentors junior-level staff and interns, as assigned.

Issues, Risk and Opportunity Management

• Collaborates with Communications, Government Affairs, Legal & Shared Prosperity…