Maritime Commercial Manager

Maritime Commercial Manager

Salary

$119,365.00 - $177,662.00 Annually

Location

Port of San Diego, CA

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

FY 25/26 #00069

Department

Maritime & Operations Branch

Division

Maritime & Operations

Opening Date

07/30/2026

Closing Date

8/14/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

The ideal candidate will prospect, pitch, and close new westbound business development opportunities at one of most dynamic and creative ports on the US West Coast. Working along multiple business lines including but not limited to automotive, breakbulk, bulk, container, project, and rail cargo opportunities, you will lead the growth of the port's westbound business portfolio. This position will report directly to the Senior Manager of Maritime Commercial Trade and is joined by a creative and nimble Trade team dedicated to providing excellent customer service and flexible solutions. This is a high-activity sales and marketing role with significant outreach within the US Southwest including some overseas travel. Qualified candidates must be able to make presentations, provide sound economic foundations for prospective business opportunities that match the environmental goals of the Port and build on the diversified cargo portfolio of the organization.

Salary Negotiable Range: $119,365 - $135,000 DOE/DOQ*

Telecommuting applies up to two (2) days a week after the first 90 days with approval of the VP of Maritime & Operations.

Work Schedule: 9/80.

Primary Office for Reporting: Port Operations Center (POC) - 1400 Tidelands Ave. National City, CA 91950.

DEFINITION

Under general direction, prepares and implements maritime sales, marketing, and trade development activities to increase revenue from the Port's shipping traffic, cargo transport activities, and cruise operations; builds business relationships to expand the growth of revenue producing Port activity; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises technical and functional direction over and provides training to lower-level staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This journey-level classification is responsible for independently performing professional duties in support of business development and retention of Port customers. Positions at this level exercise judgment and initiative in their assigned tasks, receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. This class is distinguished from the Senior Maritime Commercial Manager in that the latter performs the more complex work assigned to the series, such as oversight of business development and retention policies and procedures and provides technical and functional direction over lower-level staff.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Develops, plans, and executes maritime strategy for priority cargos with shipping lines, vessel owners' agents, and operators serving shipping routes to/from the Port's cargo terminals.
• Coordinates and schedules management of maritime commercial meetings for internal and external stakeholders, including international trade associations, chambers of commerce, civic groups, stevedore companies, freight forwarders, trucking companies, marine surveyors, contractors, and other individuals or associations, for communication of daily operations and sales agendas.
• Identifies potential business contacts or maritime trade opportunities, including maritime shippers, shipping facilities, transportation companies, and manufacturing and goods officials to solicit business and prepare contract agreements for new business clients.
• Participates in the development and implementation of the Ports short- and long-range maritime business development and marketing plans, including the identification of potential customers and business/trade development goals and objectives; coordinates and manages department programs and activities in support of the Maritime Master Plan.
• Participates in the evaluation and development of pricing strategies for terminal agreements; provides revenue projections and forecasts for managed contracts and customers.
• Plans and executes trade missions and business trips with Port commissioners, senior management, and other industry stakeholders.
• Represents the Port in the negotiation of maritime and trade transaction agreements; represents the Port in negotiations with tenants and local, domestic, and international customers; oversees the preparation of a variety of agreements and contracts.
• Participates in the development of the Ports strategic plan and key strategic initiatives; develops and implements department business plans, work programs, processes, procedures, and policies required to achieve strategic initiatives and overall departmental results in alignment with Port-wide core values, guiding principles, goals, and priorities.
• Prepares a wide variety of reports, including those describing marketing progress, trade statistics, and related information.
• Collaborates with maritime trade operations team to execute marketing, sales, and operations initiatives that support the Port's overall business plans, programs, mission, and goals.
• Prepares internal reports outlining marketing progress, trade statistics, and other data pertinent to the operations of maritime trade.
• Performs assigned disaster service worker responsibilities, as directed.
• Ensures staff observe and comply with all Port and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Global maritime business for automotive, bulk, break-bulk, container, military, project cargo and foreign trade zone industries.
• Principles and practices of public administration, including budgeting, purchasing, and maintenance of public records.
• Principles, practices, and techniques involved in the promotion, marketing, and operation of a large maritime trade facility.
• Principles, practices, and methods involved in the negotiation and preparation of maritime cargo and cruise ship leases, terminal operating agreements, berthing agreements, and pier occupancy agreements.
• Research methods and analysis techniques.
• Port functions and operations.
• Principles and practices, involved in Maritime operations and terminal equipment.
• Principles, practices, and methods involved in real estate transactions and lease negotiations.
• Maritime industry and movement of international waterborne commerce via the Ports cargo terminals.
• Trends in current international trade, industrial, and financial conditions.
• Shipping and cargo handling practices and procedures.
• Methods of transportation and Port terminal operations.
• Shipping routes to/from Port cargo facilities.
• Contract management and administration.
• Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and court decisions applicable to assigned areas of responsibility including regulations from the Department of Transportation, Federal Maritime Commission, and California Air Resources Board.
• Port and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and Port staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Communicate in written and verbal form to explain maritime strategy and business plan details to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Prepare draft contract agreements with vendors, customers, and maritime service providers.
• Develop presentations, proposals, and recommendations clearly, logically, and persuasively in public meetings.
• Understand and apply laws, regulations, ordinances, policies, and court decisions impacting maritime cargo, maritime industrial facilities, and cruise ships.
• Participate in the development of the Ports strategic plan and key strategic initiatives.
• Develop and implement department business plans, work programs, processes, procedures, and policies required to achieve strategic initiatives and overall departmental results in alignment with Port-wide core values, guiding principles, goals, and priorities.
• Participate in the development and implementation of the Ports short- and long-range maritime business development and marketing plans, including the identification of potential customers and business/trade development goals and objectives.
• Coordinate and manage department programs and activities in support of the Maritime Master Plan.
• Represent the Port in the negotiation of maritime and trade transaction agreements and with tenants and local, domestic, and international customers.
• Serve as the Ports representative to professional groups, maritime trade conferences, and with local, domestic, and international trade groups.
• Prepare a wide variety of reports, including those describing marketing progress, trade statistics and related information.
• Represent the Port in regional, national, and international meetings and conferences to promote the use of Port facilities.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education:

• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree in marketing, transportation, logistics, business administration, public administration, or a related field.

Experience:

• Four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in trade development in the port/maritime industry, international marketing, or a related industry.

Recruitment Information

Salary Negotiable Range: $119,365 - $135,000 DOE/DOQ*

The application review process will include screening to ensure applications are complete and meet all minimum qualifications. In addition to the application, the applicant is required to complete the Supplemental Questions to further evaluate their education, training, and experience relative to the required knowledge, skills and abilities for the position. Applicants must submit answers that are as complete as possible.

Only qualified applicants who pass the minimum qualifications review, will be invited to the assessment process which may be administered by a written examination, panel interview, or any combination of qualifications appraisal determined by the Department of Human Resources to be appropriate. The Department of Human Resources will make reasonable accommodation in the examination process for disabled applicants. If you have an accommodation request, please indicate such on your application.

Depending upon the number of applicants meeting the minimum qualifications, applicants may be scheduled for one or more of the assessments listed below. Passing score is 70% out of 100% on each assessment section.

THE INITIAL ASSESSMENT (50%) AND APPRAISAL PANEL (50%) ARE TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026.

To move forward in the application process, you must complete an online application through our website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/portofsd Please attach a copy of your unofficial transcripts (indicating when degree was awarded) to your application or your application may be considered incomplete. Resumes may be uploaded but cannot be used in place of a completed application.

• DOE/DOQ - Depends on Experience/Depends on Qualifications

Placement on Eligible List:

The Department of Human Resources may limit the number of qualified applicants eligible to participate in the assessment process. Candidates who are successful in all phases of the assessment process will be placed on an eligible list. The eligible list established by this recruitment will be active for a minimum of ninety (90) days or up to one (1) year, unless otherwise determined by the Director pursuant to Rule 8, Section 4.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The District firmly believes in, and is committed to, the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination. It is the policy of the District to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job classifications without regard to age (40 and above), ancestry, color, disability (mental or physical), gender (including identity, appearance, or behavior, whether or not that identity, appearance, or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with the persons sex at birth), marital status, medical condition, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, or veteran status.

Click here for the Benefit Overview for Unclassified Employees

01

Which of the following best describes your highest level of completed education?

• High School Diploma or G.E.D.
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters degree or higher

02

How many years of increasingly responsible experience do you have in trade development in the port/maritime/transportation industry international marketing, or a related industry such as rail and/or supply chain?

• No experience
• Less than 4 years
• Between 4 and 5 years
• Between 6 and 7 years
• At least 8 years
• At least 9 years
• 10 years and more

03

Describe a situation where you developed and executed on a challenging supply chain solution for a customer. (Please provide a brief explanation, not exceeding 150 words).

04

Provide an example of how you work collaboratively with different stakeholders within an organization. (Please provide a brief explanation, not exceeding 150 words).

05

Based on your professional experience, outline the steps that you would take to usher a major project to completion.

06

If you have a bachelors degree or higher, did you attach a copy of your college transcripts? College transcripts need to be attached to your application or you will not move forward in the process.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Port of San Diego

Address 3165 Pacific Highway

San Diego, California, 92101

Phone (619) 686-6315

Website http://www.portofsandiego.org