EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Panama City Port Authority, Florida

Overview

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.

Key Responsibilities

Port Operations & Commercial Activities

• 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.

Leadership & Workforce Management

• 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.

Strategic Planning & Development

• 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.

Financial Management & Performance

• 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.

Grants & Capital Funding

• 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.

Government Relations & Public Affairs

• 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.

Legal & Regulatory Compliance

• 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:

1. Cover Letter detailing qualifications, leadership experience, and interest in the position
2. Resume or Curriculum Vitae

Applications will accepted through January 28, 2026. The Port encourages interested applicants to apply as soon as possible. Interviews, if any, are expected to be conducted during the last week of January 2026.

Applications should be emailed to the Panama City Port Authority, with the subject line Executive Director Application, Attn: Sarah Harris, at sharris@portpcfl.com. Applicants are responsible for submitting their application materials

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Required Qualifications

• Significant executive-level experience in port or governmental operations, with experience in logistics, transportation infrastructure, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex operations involving labor, tenants, and third-party service providers.
• Proven success in strategic planning, infrastructure development, and capital project delivery.
• Strong background in public-sector or quasi-public governance, preferably within Florida.
• Experience securing and administering state and federal grants, particularly maritime or transportation projects.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder-management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct knowledge of or experience with the Port of Panama City, City of Panama City, Bay County, or the broader Southeastern United States maritime and logistics market.
• Established relationships with local, state, and federal transportation, maritime, and economic development agencies.
• Experience working with harbor pilots, rail operators, shipping companies, organized labor, and multi-modal logistics systems.
• Advanced degree in business administration, public administration, engineering, maritime studies, law, or a related field.
• Education that contributes to the candidate’s capacity to successfully fulfill the role will be regarded positively

Strategic Focus Areas for the Executive Director

• Pursue new commercial opportunities to diversify the Port’s cargo base, including attracting new forest products and regional container trade activity.
• Successfully deliver Phase Two of the East Terminal, including the second berth and expanding the turning basin.
• Work on a long-term strategic plan to include navigation improvements to expand the Port’s main channel and turning basin.
• Continue to work with local economic development agencies to attract port-dependent industries to the Port’s Intermodal Distribution Center.
• Development of a port wide Terminal Operating System (TOS) to deliver inventory visibility and premium service to our customers.

Compensation

Salary and benefits will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, aligned with comparable ports along the Gulf Coast and Southeastern U.S. At Port Panama City, we invest in the people who help move trade forward. This position offers a comprehensive compensation package designed for growth and long-term success, including:

• Monthly car allowance
• Paid holidays and vacation: Enjoy seven full-day and two half-day holidays per year, plus two weeks of vacation to start, increasing up to four weeks with tenure
• Health coverage: 100% of employee premiums paid; 50% coverage for spouses and dependents
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance: Coverage equal to the employee’s annual salary
• Retirement plans:
• Seven percent employer contribution to the 401(k) plan through the Florida Municipal Pension Trust (employee match not required but allowed)
• 457(b) deferred compensation plan through the Florida Municipal Pension Trust available to employees

About Panama City Port Authority

The Panama City Port Authority is a dynamic regional port that handles over two million tons of cargo annually. The Port Authority provides full terminal and handling services for a diverse mix of containerized, breakbulk, and bulk cargoes. The Port also supports two on-port heavy manufacturing companies and supports several large manufacturers in the region with vital port services. The Port continues to experience growth through continually investing in modern seaport infrastructure, promoting trade with countries around the globe, and aggressively supporting industrial development.

Connections working at Panama City Port Authority