Operations Program Manager

Have you considered building your career at one of Southwest Washington’s premier employers?

At the Port of Vancouver USA, you’ll be part of the dynamic team that makes us a vital link in global trade. As an economic engine, our work supports 20,000 local jobs. As a convenient hub of marine, rail, and highway transportation, we’ve been successfully moving cargo for more than a century. Our Terminal 1 redevelopment is helping transform Vancouver’s waterfront.

There’s a reason the Port of Vancouver USA has been one of the most storied employers for 113 years and counting. Beyond offering a meaningful career and competitive salaries, the port provides unmatched benefits and work-life balance. We offer generous PTO, the potential for flexible work hours, comprehensive health insurance, an HRA to help with health-related expenses, retirement, life insurance, disability, savings plans, and more. We value teamwork, creativity, and customer service – and we center our organization on being a rewarding and supportive place to work. 

We are looking for an Operations Program Manager to provide senior level analytical, operational, and coordination support to the Operations Division and the Chief Operations Officer (COO) of the port. This position assists with operational planning, budgeting, scheduling, reporting, and monitoring of the port’s projects, programs, and initiatives, and provides administrative support as necessary. The role serves as a key liaison across port divisions/departments and external stakeholders, supporting efficient operations and compliance in a public-sector environment.

Essential Responsibilities:

Essential responsibilities for the Operations Program Manager may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Support operational planning, division‑wide priorities, and strategic initiatives.
• Identify workflow inefficiencies, communication gaps, or misalignments across operational units and recommend improvements.
• Serve as a cross‑divisional liaison to ensure information flow, alignment on priority work, and timely follow‑through on action items.
• Coordinate with Environmental Services, Engineering and Project Delivery, Facilities, Terminal Operations, Rail, Security, and Safety/Risk to support integrated operations.
• Assist in researching, piloting, and implementing technology-driven operational initiatives, including the port’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.
• Support development of annual operating and capital budgets in accordance with public‑sector requirements.
• Track and reconcile operating and capital budget performance, expenditures, and forecasts.
• Compile financial information and prepare summaries for reviews with the COO and division leadership.
• Coordinate documentation and reporting associated with the Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
• Monitor CIP schedules, milestones, expenditures, permitting timelines, construction impacts, and contractor coordination.
• Consolidate project manager inputs to prepare division‑level project tracking updates.
• Assist in developing the division Master Schedule and CIP performance reporting for executive leadership and the Commission.
• Prepare operational, financial, and performance reports for the COO and division leaders.
• Maintain organized, compliant digital records aligned with public records retention requirements.
• Support integration of records and data within the port’s ERP, project management tools, etc.
• Support compliance with port policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.
• Assist with audits, public records requests, and standardized documentation practices.
• Develop or refine templates, workflows, and process documentation to bolster consistency across the division.
• Assist with onboarding or rollout of new operational processes and tools.
• Provide administrative support as needed for the COO.
• Actively support the Port’s mission and vision, and demonstrate values consistently.
• Work effectively as a team player with all Port employees.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

The duties above are illustrative and not an exhaustive list. Additional responsibilities may be assigned, and duties may change as organizational needs evolve.

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, finance or a related field, or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience that demonstrates the ability to competently perform the job.

Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of experience in a high-level administrative, operations, or analytical role with demonstrated skills in project coordination and cross-department collaboration. Budget and/or finance experience preferred. Project management experience a plus. Public sector experience preferred.

License/Certification:

• Valid, unrestricted driver’s license.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC Card) upon hire.

Required Skills/Abilities:

Communication Skills: Ability to communicate clearly, succinctly and effectively in writing and verbally, across the entire organization. Requires effective listening abilities and excellent interpersonal communication skills, including maintaining open two‑way dialogue with, and between, staff.  Ability to draft correspondence and maintain sensitive and confidential information. Ability to read, write, understand and communicate clearly in English. Must be comfortable with developing and delivering formal presentations in a variety of settings to individuals, small or large groups.

Organizational Skills: Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines. Able to balance short- and long‑term priorities effectively while handling numerous, shifting, and often competing demands. Strong ability to track workflows and detailed information, and maintain accurate records.

Analytical Skills: Detail-oriented; demonstrates high accuracy in reviewing data and documents. Able to proofread typed materials for contextual, grammatical, typographical and spelling errors.

Customer Service: Demonstrated ability to provide welcoming, friendly, courteous, prompt and informative service. Skilled at fostering collaboration among staff and management, with the ability to assess situations and apply the appropriate level of persistence. Ability to work respectfully and professionally with employees and management to facilitate company needs.

Problem Solving Skills: Ability to logically and creatively think through and solve problems involving multiple variables. Able to remain objective in gathering information and investigating issues. 

Computer Skills: Demonstrated ability to learn and apply technology solutions in a dynamic work environment. Advanced computer skills with an emphasis on Microsoft Office suite. Knowledge of MS Project is preferred.

Physical Requirements/Environment:

• Ability to sit, stand, bend and walk for extended periods throughout the workday.
• Ability to see, hear, speak, and communicate effectively in person, over the phone, and via digital tools.
• Ability to operate or otherwise use computer systems, software, and standard office technologies to complete essential job tasks.
• Ability to review and interpret information in written and digital formats.
• Ability to perform repetitive hand motions including grasping, handling and use of fingers.
• Ability to create, annotate, and prepare documents in required written formats.
• Ability to occasionally move or reposition items weighing up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to push/pull, reach, stoop, kneel, use stairs, and occasionally climb ladders.
• Ability to drive on an as-needed basis.
• Work is performed in an office environment and at various outdoor locations where adverse weather conditions, uneven ground, exposure to moving machinery and moderate to loud noise is common.

The requirements described above are representative of the physical and mental capabilities that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. Equal Opportunity Employer.

If you are interested in this position, please click the Apply button.

If you have any questions, please submit them to jobs@portvanusa.com.

We will begin reviewing applications on June 16, 2026.

The Port of Vancouver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, the Port of Vancouver complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

Salary Range: $89,028 – $131,535 annually