The Opportunity: Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director
The VPA is one of four authorities in the Virginia state government responsible for increasing the state’s jobs and the tax base. The Authority is mission-empowered to carry out these responsibilities by way of an international, national, and regional/local sales/marketing program directed toward attracting, expanding, and retaining foreign and domestic importers, exporters, and ship owners to locate new offices and/or move their cargoes and vessels through the ports of Virginia to produce operating revenues at state-owned cargo terminals; toward promoting the relocation of industries to Virginia to create jobs; toward developing new markets for Virginia products shipped as cargoes; and toward retaining the current cargo base. These activities are not only vital in scope to the mission of the Authority but are also essential as they impact the long-term viability and economic well-being of the state.
The Port is conducting an international search for a highly respected executive to lead and direct the broad programmatic areas of business/relationship development and growth, strategic marketing, finance, security and operations of Virginia’s seaports and the VPA-owned marine terminal facilities located in the Norfolk Harbor and inland terminal facilities in Warren County and Richmond, Virginia.
Reporting to the Board of Commissioners, this individual will provide strategic vision and innovation in the physical development of facilities ensuring capacity for current and future growth; lead the Port in an efficient and financially sound manner; develop and nurture domestic and international relationships in the maritime and shipper communities; and create an atmosphere and unified culture of leadership, innovation, and empowerment amongst representation located worldwide including Virginia, New Jersey, Brazil, Korea, Hong Kong, and India.
A critical component of the CEO/Executive Director role is to ensure the efficient operation of the port through Virginia International Terminals, LLC and its subsidiaries. VPA’s CEO/Executive Director will oversee officers for finance, operations, sales, marketing & growth, government affairs, marketing, economic development, port security and administration.
A detailed position brief, including instructions on how to apply, please reach out to Freddy Movshovich at freddy.movshovich@kornferry.com .
What You’ll Do: Responsibilities
The CEO/Executive Director must have demonstrated ability to be a visionary and outside-the-box thinker in growing a maritime or related organization of a similar size and complexity. A key responsibility is to further develop The Port of Virginia as the leading deep-water port of the US East Coast and economic development engine of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The ability to travel domestically and internationally and have an understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures is an integral part of this position.
The specific duties of the CEO/Executive in support of the VPA goals are:
- Deliver the economic development and growth as established by the mission and governing laws of The Port of Virginia as supported by the VPA Board of Commissioners
- Create long-term strategies and business plans aligned with the company’s mission, vision and objectives
- Provide visionary leadership and guidance to all employees, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration and operational & safety excellence
- Develop short and long-range goals for cargo movement and port expansion to ensure Virginia’s ports are the best and most efficient in the nation
- Monitor industry trends and competitive landscape to capitalize on emerging opportunities and navigate challenges
- Lead and motivate high-performing senior leaders and align their efforts towards achieving organizational goals
- Lead the overall growth efforts of the organization with a global perspective by developing and enhancing the necessary commercial relationships with ship owners/operators, shippers, railroads, 3PLs (third-party logistics), and other entities that can add value and promote the financial success of the port and ensuring that the brand of the port is enhanced and protected
- Administer the broad programmatic areas of marketing, economic development, infrastructure development, finance, operations, safety, and promotion of Virginia’s marine terminal facilities located in the Norfolk Harbor and inland terminals
- Communicate clearly and effectively with the supervisory VPA Board of Commissioners
- Direct the overall administration and operation of the Authority’s staff of approximately 204 personnel and provide assistance to the port’s operating company, Virginia International Terminals, LLC, and its subsidiaries of approximately 275 personnel
- Oversee annual budget preparations for board approval and submission with appropriate state authorities
- Direct the negotiation, preparation, and execution of all contracts and agreements entered into by the Authority and any matters under review by various legislative or regulatory bodies, both state and federal
- Uphold corporate governance and ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations
- Understand and manage the Authority’s risk profile
- Act as chief communicator to the Office of the Governor of Virginia, Secretary of Transportation, other state agencies, federal government, and related maritime and development agencies, local governments, community organizations, and shippers
- Maintain liaison with these officials on matters pertaining to the maritime industry to support, preserve, and enhance the important contribution of the port to the economic vitality of the state
- Develop and enhance customers and customer relations around the world and in conjunction with VIT, and
- Serve as a member of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) Board of Directors.
To thrive in this position, one must have a strong sense for what it takes to succeed in a public sector/political environment and effectively develop relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
A detailed position brief, including instructions on how to apply, please reach out to Freddy Movshovich at freddy.movshovich@kornferry.com.
Who You Are: Qualifications
Candidates for this role must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a focus in business administration, economics, transportation, law, or an equally related discipline, an MBA or related advanced degree is a plus. A minimum of 10 years’ experience in a management function is required with broad functional and span-of-control responsibilities. Prior seaport/maritime experience, while highly desirable, is not an absolute requirement.
To succeed in this position, one must be innovative, outgoing, and collegial, a strong delegator and mentor, possess outstanding interpersonal skills, and have a reputation for good judgment, emotional intelligence, and unquestionable integrity.
The ideal candidate will have the majority of the following skills and attributes:
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- Visionary and strategic focus
- Proven track record of strong leadership necessary to make the organization’s mission a success
- Strong business savvy with attention to detail
- Understanding of economic development and intermodal issues
- Results oriented
- Customer focused in providing solutions with impact
- Demonstrated commitment to continued professional growth and development
- Strength in team-building and ability to train, mentor, motivate colleagues as well as younger professionals
- Ability to see the big picture
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Outstanding communication and presentation skills
- Decisive and calm under pressure
- Transparent and accountability oriented
- Exhibits emotional intelligence and balanced judgment, maintaining composure and objectivity in high-stakes environments Experience in succeeding in a diverse, international environment and in partnering with a diverse Board
- Possess outstanding listening skills
Industry reputation for unquestioned ethics and fair dealing
You Should Know: Disclosures
The Port of Virginia is an Equal Opportunity Employer and therefore does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, religion, disability or national origin.
Selected applicant must be able to pass a pre-employment background check which may include any of the following: Academic record and verification of education and/or certifications; Employment history (including references); Criminal history; Driving record; Fingerprinting; drug and alcohol testing, Fit for duty Physical, Other records or information related to the candidate’s suitability for the position.
Selected applicant must be able to obtain a TWIC (Transportation Workers Identification Card). The Port of Virginia is a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week, 365-day-a-year operation, schedule and location may vary based on the needs of the operation. freddy.movshovich@kornferry.com