Expected Salary: $167,500 - $251,300 per year.Annual Bonus Eligibility: 20%.Position SummaryThe
Project Director, Port Infrastructure leads end-to-end development of port, pier, and waterfront infrastructure-from concept and approvals through design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and handover to operations. The role is the single point of accountability for scope, schedule, budget, permitting, and commercial performance, and serves as the company's primary interface with port authorities, regulatory agencies, utilities, design consultants, engineer of record, and contractors.
The initial assignment is Metro Express Terminal, a multi-phase zero-emission container terminal development at the Port of Long Beach. The project is tenant-led: the company assumes program management responsibilities traditionally carried by the Port. The project is entering preliminary design, with the design-build procurement phase to follow. The candidate will be responsible for managing the engineer of record across all aspects of design.
This is a hands-on leadership role. The successful candidate reads the drawings, challenges the design, runs the meeting, and owns the outcome.
Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesProject Leadership & Execution:- Own the full project lifecycle: feasibility, entitlement, design, permitting, procurement, construction, testing and commissioning, and handover.
- Design and run a gated approval process that allows sponsors and investors to commit capital incrementally, with clear gate criteria, deliverables, and decision papers at each stage.
- Define and size the project execution team, including discipline and function leads and the right balance of in-house staff, owner's representatives, and outsourced specialists.
- Define project scope, objectives, work breakdown structure, and success criteria aligned with port authority, operator, and investor goals.
- Own the integrated master schedule across entitlement, design, procurement, and construction; identify critical path and drive recovery when it slips.
- Establish document control, submittal, RFI, and record-drawing protocols across all parties.
Commercial, Budget & Contracting:- Develop and manage the project budget, cash flow forecasts, capital planning, and contingency drawdown.
- Define the contracting and procurement strategy, including project delivery method (design-build, progressive design-build, or alternatives) and major contract packaging for design, construction, equipment, and specialist marine works.
- Lead preparation of design-build RFPs and bridging documents; manage prequalification, bid evaluation, award recommendation, and contract negotiation.
- Own consultant scopes of work, fee negotiations, invoice review, and performance management; enforce change control and prevent unapproved scope growth.
- Track commercial performance and contractual compliance; provide accurate cost and schedule reporting to executive leadership, the JV partner, and the Port.
Port Authority, Regulatory & Stakeholder Coordination:- Serve as primary technical interface with the Port authority (engineering, planning, environmental, real estate) and other government agencies.
- Manage Harbor Development Permit processes end to end, and lead environmental approvals including CEQA documentation, dredging and disposal approvals, and coastal permits.
- Navigate the multi-agency approval landscape: State Lands Commission, Coastal Commission, USACE Section 10/404, RWQCB, SCAQMD, CARB, US Coast Guard, and local building authorities, as applicable.
- Coordinate with utilities (power, water, telecom, fuel), navigation authorities and pilots, and adjacent terminal operators to manage interfaces and outages.
- Support lease, port access agreement, and tariff negotiations by defining technical scope, cost basis, and schedule commitments.
- Translate port policy drivers (Clean Air Action Plan, zero-emission mandates, Tidelands Trust constraints) into design requirements.
- Prepare and deliver presentations to Port staff and key stakeholders.
Design & Technical Oversight:- Direct and integrate multidisciplinary design teams: marine/structural, civil, geotechnical, MEP, coastal, environmental, and electrical.
- Oversee wharf and pier layout, structural design, quay walls, berthing structures, fenders, mooring, crane rail, utilities, and access roads in line with applicable codes and port standards (including POLB Wharf Design Criteria and ASCE 61).
- Run formal design reviews at milestones; own the Basis of Design and enforce comment resolution.
- Ensure constructability, maintainability, and operational efficiency (vessel turnaround, cargo handling, safety).
- Provide independent owner-side technical challenge; lead value engineering and independent cost estimate reconciliation.
- Coordinate geotechnical, hydrographic, sediment characterization, and site due diligence programs.
Construction & Site Management:- Oversee contractors during demolition, piling, deck construction, dredging, scour and shoreline protection, utilities, and backland works.
- Implement robust site safety, quality, and environmental management systems; enforce contractual EHS obligations.
- Review and approve method statements, marine works plans, traffic management, and commissioning plans.
- Monitor progress; manage change orders, claims, and dispute resolution.
- Coordinate phasing to maintain terminal operations and vessel service during construction; drive commissioning, punch list, and turnover.
Risk, Compliance & Governance:- Identify and manage technical, environmental, safety, schedule, and commercial risks with assigned owners, mitigations, and quantified contingency.
- Ensure compliance with port regulations, maritime and construction codes, environmental regulations, and applicable standards.
- Prepare status reports, decision papers, and board and JV committee updates; deliver clear, honest reporting with no surprises on cost or schedule.
Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
Key Working Relationships- National Director of Asset Management: Reporting line; escalation and approvals.
- Director of Operations: Leads project communications; the Project Director provides technical content and owns delivery outcomes.
- JV Partner and Executive Leadership: Gate approvals, governance reporting, decision papers.
- External: Port authority, regulatory agencies, utilities, design consultants, contractors, equipment suppliers, and community stakeholders.
QualificationsRequired:- Education: Bachelor's degree in Civil, Structural, Marine, Coastal, or related engineering discipline.
- Experience:
- 12+ years of progressive experience in ports, marine, or heavy civil infrastructure, with proven delivery of pier, wharf, or terminal projects.
- Owner-side or owner's representative leadership on capital projects of $100M+ total installed cost.
- Demonstrated major capital project management: budgeting, contracting strategy, procurement, claims, and schedule control.
- Track record managing multidisciplinary design consultant teams on scope, fee, schedule, and deliverable quality.
- Experience shepherding a project through public agency approvals, including California environmental permitting (CEQA) or equivalent.
- Skills:
- Strong stakeholder management with port authorities, regulators, utilities, and environmental agencies.
- Fluency reading and marking up civil, structural, and marine drawings and specifications.
- Proficiency with Primavera P6 or MS Project and construction management platforms (Procore, e-Builder, Unifier, or similar).
- Executive-level written and verbal communication, including board, commission, and public audiences.
- Other: TWIC-eligible, or able to obtain within 30 days of hire.
Preferred:- Education & Certifications:
- Licensed Professional Engineer (California Civil or Structural preferred) or Chartered equivalent.
- Master's degree in engineering or construction management; PMP or CCM certification.
- Additional Experiences:
- Project delivery at the Port of Long Beach or Port of Los Angeles; working familiarity with Harbor Department process, staff, and design criteria.
- Experience with design-build or progressive design-build procurement on marine infrastructure.
- Experience with Harbor Development Permits, State Lands Commission, USACE Section 10/404, or Coastal Development Permits.
- Terminal electrification, shore power, or zero-emission cargo-handling equipment deployment.
- Knowledge: Working knowledge of the ILWU/PMA labor environment and active terminal construction phasing.
Physical Demands & Work Environment- Physical Demands: The physical demands described here represent those that are typically required to perform the essential functions of this position. This role requires the ability to see, hear, speak, and communicate clearly. Manual dexterity is needed for operating standard office equipment. The position may occasionally involve lifting items up to 10 pounds and may require occasional travel to meet accountabilities.
- Work Environment: Work is performed in an office environment and at active marine terminal and construction sites, with regular on-site presence required. Field work may involve exposure to outdoor weather conditions, noise, and moving equipment; personal protective equipment (PPE) is required on site.
Benefits - Paid vacation and holiday pay.
- Health, dental and vision (employee contribution required).
- 401(k) with company matching contribution.
- Bonus eligible.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- Pet insurance (employee contribution required).
