Current Openings
Executive Director
Salary Range: $150,000 – $200,000 (Yearly)
The Opportunity
The Connecticut Port Authority is a quasi-public agency, created in 2014, that is responsible for marketing and coordinating the development of the state’s ports and maritime economy. The creation of the Connecticut Port Authority (CPA) represented a major commitment to invest in the state’s port infrastructure to create jobs and attract private investment to the state. The mission of the organization is to grow Connecticut’s economy and create jobs by strategically investing in the state’s three deep water ports and small harbors to enable each to maximize its own economic potential.
The maritime industry has deep roots in Connecticut, having long played a central role in the state and national economy. Connecticut’s three deep-water ports (Bridgeport, New Haven, and New London), as well as its coastal harbors and rivers, all make important contributions to the State’s jobs, economic activity and tax revenue. The Connecticut Port Authority is expected to make necessary improvements to the infrastructure at the ports and harbors and strategically invest in high-potential growth areas.
The CPA is governed by a Board of Directors including appointed regular members and ex-officio members representing key departments within Connecticut’s state government.
Position Responsibilities
The Executive Director will work closely with the Board of Directors to create a vision and advance the maritime strategy for the State of Connecticut – linked to both transportation and economic development.
The Executive Director will work to unlock the potential of the State’s three deep-water ports and many working waterfronts along its Long Island Sound harbors and major rivers. The Executive Director will work to preserve and improve assets that serve water-dependent businesses in the State and work closely with various State agencies to improve intermodal competitiveness and transportation infrastructure access to its ports.
The Executive Director will represent the State and its ports in regional and national forums on port-related issues. To accomplish this work and to build the trust and reputation of the agency, the Executive Director will manage the Port Authority and its business including:
- Managing internal policies, procedures, and staff teambuilding.
- Engaging with the myriad of stakeholders in an open, consistent, and honest manner.
- Garnishing support from the executive and legislative branches of Connecticut State government.
- Communicating with local and regional constituencies and stakeholders before, during and after events (or plans) that impact individual ports, the region, or the state.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have port operations and maritime industry knowledge and experience, as well as proven experience working within a public/private sector collaborative environment, meeting external standards of operations. Education, experience and knowledge requirements include:
- A firm understanding of how both cargo and passenger maritime activities are closely aligned and integrated with the other modes of transportation and infrastructure as part of the total logistics process.
- A college degree, preferably a Master’s, in a field relevant to the transportation of goods (water borne, rail, highway) and the relationship between infrastructure and economic development such as, but not limited to, economics, business, or logistics.
- A clear understanding of how transportation providers, modal and intermodal operators, warehouse and distribution operators, and information technologies are all linked together now and have a sense of vision for the ways in which they may be in the near future.
Some professional experience with shipping, or ports, or cargoes (e.g.-commodities, or raw materials, or consumer goods) and global trade issues. - Demonstrated experience working with construction managers/engineers on a range of construction projects with a maritime focus preferred.
- Working knowledge of the federal grant programs available for maritime infrastructure with a demonstrated track-record of successful applications preferred.
- Experience communicating with elected and appointed government leaders and agencies, the public, and the news media.
- A network of contacts among transportation providers and ports nationwide.
The following skills will be important for success:
- Project Management Skills
- Negotiating Skills
- Stakeholder Engagement, Relationship Management, and Coalition Building Skills
- Communication Skills
- Management Skills
- Leadership Skills
- Problem Solving, Reasoning and Analytical Skills
The successful candidate will be expected to travel a minimum to moderate amount, mostly domestic, and have primary residence in or a willingness to relocate to Connecticut.
Selection Process
All hiring decisions shall be made in compliance with the CPA’s operating procedures. Offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results on a background check and verification of submitted information.
A resume AND cover letter are required and accepted by mail (Connecticut Port Authority, ATTN: Human Resources, 455 Boston Post Road, Suite 204, Old Saybrook, CT 06475) OR via email (to info@ctportauthority.com) with subject line “Executive Director Application – [YOUR LAST NAME]”
Closing Date
Until a qualified candidate is identified.
The Connecticut Port Authority is an affirmative action/equal employment opportunity employer. Minorities, women & persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Finance Director
$80,000 – $125,000
Please Note: Connecticut Port Authority reserves the right to underfill the Finance Director position at the level of Finance Manager, if deemed necessary
The Connecticut Port Authority (CPA) located in Old Saybrook, Connecticut is a quasi-public agency responsible for marketing and coordinating the development of the state’s ports and maritime economy. It is the mission of the CPA to grow Connecticut’s economy and create jobs by strategically investing in the state’s three deep water ports and small harbors to enable each to maximize its own economic potential. The CPA seeks candidates for a Finance Director responsible for the fiscal administration, oversight, and the strategic direction of CPA’s financial operation.
The Finance Director is responsible for creating and monitoring the CPA’s budget, preparing operating and capital financial reporting to the Executive Director (ED). In partnership with the ED, the Finance Director will be the primary liaison between the CPA, Office of Policy and Management, other State of Connecticut agencies and Board of Director’s Finance Committee and Audit, Compliance and Governance Committee on matters relating to CPA’s finances.
The selected candidate will work in our office located at 455 Boston Post Road – Suite 204, Old Saybrook, CT. While remote work will be permitted during the COVID-19 global pandemic, the position will require some in office work, subject to the State of Connecticut’s COVID-19 guidance in effect.
Preferred Qualifications
A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance. A minimum of six (6) years of experience in fiscal administration and managing budgets of at least $5 million; including at least two (2) years of management experience, directly supervising at least one employee. Experience in municipal or state government budgeting, fund management, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), State of Connecticut’s CORE-CT financial system, QuickBooks and Microsoft Office Suite.
Selection Process
All hiring decisions shall be made in compliance with the CPA’s operating procedures. Offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results on a background check, pre-employment physical, drug screening and verification of information on the application. Applications A full job description may be obtained on our website at www.ctportauthority.com/employment. A resume AND cover letter are accepted by mail (Connecticut Port Authority, ATTN: Executive Director, 455 Boston Post Road, Suite 204, Old Saybrook, CT 06475) OR via email (to info@ctportauthority.com) with subject line “Finance Director Application – [YOUR LAST NAME]”
Closing Date
Until a qualified candidate is identified.
The Connecticut Port Authority is an affirmative action/equal employment opportunity employer. Minorities, women & persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.