Chief Port Operating Officer
| Req Number: | I5BYTW |
| Location: | Boston |
| Posted: | 10/15/2025 |
| Category: | Industrial : Transportation/Logistics |
| Job Type: | Permanent |
Massport, The Massachusetts Port Authority, is an independent public authority responsible for operating and developing key transportation infrastructure across the Commonwealth, including airports, maritime facilities, and commercial real estate. Within Massport, the Maritime Division plays a pivotal role in managing and revitalizing the Port of Boston as a critical gateway for international trade and economic activity in New England. The division oversees Conley Container Terminal, a full-service container terminal in the region, which handles more than 250,000 TEU’s annually, connecting local businesses to global markets. Massport also operates Flynn Cruiseport Boston, which welcomes over 480,000 passengers each year.
In recent years, the Port of Boston has undergone an $850 million revitalization effort, led by Massport and funded through a combination of federal, state, and private investment. This multi-phase modernization included the deepening of Boston Harbor to accommodate larger vessels, the addition of new ship-to-shore cranes, upgraded terminal facilities, and enhanced gate technology to improve cargo flow and reduce truck congestion. These improvements have significantly increased the port’s efficiency, capacity, and competitiveness, while also supporting sustainability goals and economic growth throughout.
Massport’s mission is to connect Massachusetts to the world safely, securely, and efficiently, while fostering economic growth and environmental stewardship. Its vision is to be a world-class provider of transportation services and a leader in sustainability, innovation, and customer experience. Guided by these principles, the Maritime Division continues to invest in long-term strategies that promote operational excellence, environmental resilience, and economic opportunity along Boston’s working waterfront.
Purpose: The Chief Port Operating Officer (CPOO) is the senior operational leader responsible for the safe, efficient, and forward-looking delivery of Massport’s maritime functions, including cargo, cruise operations, terminal logistics, facilities management and port infrastructure. The role demands maritime expertise, strategic agility, and hands-on leadership to ensure operational excellence across all maritime functions, in close collaboration with labor partners, tenants, Massport Police and other internal teams - including Aviation and Real Estate and Asset Management where functions intersect.
The CPOO also oversees performance and sustainability across maritime terminals, while collaborating closely with Safety, blending strategic planning with execution to meet regulatory and enterprise-wide goals. As a connector across teams and leadership, the CPOO drives continuous improvement and fosters a culture of safety, service, and excellence. This high-impact role influences financial performance, stakeholder engagement, and long-term strategy. The CPOO will work closely alongside the Director of Maritime Business Development, ensuring the operation prioritizes safe and secure commercial needs with white-glove service daily for the passengers and commerce that the Port of Boston has the pleasure of serving.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE JOB
Operational Leadership and Effectiveness
• Lead operational strategy focused on financial sustainability, safety, and environmental stewardship—developing long-term plans that balance growth with responsible resource management and regulatory compliance.
• Oversee daily and strategic operations across all maritime facilities and terminals, ensuring consistent performance, service quality, accountability through department-defined metrics, and alignment with organizational goals.
• Direct engineering and coordinate with Real Estate & Asset Management facilities maintenance to guarantee infrastructure reliability, timely repairs, and operational readiness across marine and shoreside assets.
• Act as an advisor to the Port Director and align maritime deputy directors, serving as a strategic connector to ensure cohesive planning, execution, and communication across departments.
• Analyze cargo and container operations to identify opportunities for improving safety protocols, streamlining logistics, and enhancing profitability through data and performance metrics.
• Guide the development and execution of a comprehensive maritime labor strategy, fostering strong partnerships with unions, optimizing workforce deployment, and cultivating leadership within maritime teams.
• Ensure compliance with global maritime and safety standards, while adapting operational practices to meet local regulatory requirements and environmental conditions.
• Drive strategic decisions by leveraging analytics, performance dashboards, and supporting the integration of automation and emerging technologies.
• Coordinates with the Port Director on a safety-first culture, ensuring all Maritime staff are prioritizing safety, aligning on metric reporting to support safety standards, and working alongside the Senior Maritime Safety Manager.
Strategic Planning, Financial Management & Vendor Relations
• Establish strategic direction and annual business plans in collaboration with the Port Director, aligning long-term goals with operational priorities and market trends.
• Lead financial planning and oversight, including budget development, revenue generation, and asset management to ensure fiscal responsibility and sustainable growth.
• Develop and implement pricing strategies and tariffs, working with Finance and Legal to support competitiveness, cost efficiency, and financial targets.
• Manage vendor and third-party contracts, oversee RFPs, negotiating service agreements, and monitoring performance to ensure value and accountability.
• Partner with commercial and procurement teams to optimize service delivery, streamline operations, and control costs across maritime functions.
• Sponsor and guide capital improvement projects, collaborating with Capital Programs, Real Estate and Asset Management, and Strategic Initiatives & Planning to ensure strategic alignment, timely execution, and operational impact.
Cruise & Cargo Operations Leadership
• Oversee cruise terminal planning, seasonal operations, passenger flow management, guest services/experience, and coordination with federal agencies (e.g., CBP, Coast Guard, TSA).
• Lead ground handling logistics, staffing models, and partner coordination to ensure smooth vessel turnarounds and excellent customer experiences.
• Support cargo terminal optimization efforts and operational excellence, including gate operations, yard operations, marine berth operations, chassis and container management, and coordination with terminal operators and stevedores.
• Utilize operational analytics to monitor and improve key turnaround and throughput metrics such as vessel dwell time, berth utilization, truck turn times, and fiscal prudence through operational metric baselines.
• Interpret and enforce regulations specific to hazardous materials cargo transport in coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard and relevant authorities.
Labor Relations & Union Collaboration
• Provide operational leadership in a unionized labor environment, partnering effectively with labor representatives to align staffing, work rules, and operational requirements.
• Drive a culture of safety, professionalism, and equity across all maritime teams.
Security, Compliance & Emergency Preparedness
• Ensure full regulatory and safety compliance, including adherence to Facility Security Plans, federal standards, and manning requirements across all maritime operations.
• Manage Maritime Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP) to support emergency preparedness, business resilience, and uninterrupted service during disruptions.
• Coordinate security operations and incident response in partnership with Corporate Security & Emergency Preparedness and Massport Police, the Coast Guard, and federal agencies, including planning and executing emergency drills.
• Develop and oversee risk mitigation policies that promote employee health, workplace safety, and proactive accident prevention.
Stakeholder Engagement & Industry Representation
• Support the Port Director as an external representative for Massport Maritime to external stakeholders, including customers, elected officials, industry organizations, and community partners.
• Maintain strong working relationships with terminal operators, shipping lines, cruise lines, port service providers, and government agencies.
• Serve as a key advisor to senior leadership on operational performance, risks, and strategic opportunities.
• Support internal communications, or employee engagement strategies to foster alignment and collaboration across the organization.
JOB REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS
Education
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Maritime Transportation, Logistics, Public Administration, or a related field is required.
• Master’s degree strongly preferred.
Experience
• 12–15 years in maritime transportation or logistics, with 8–10 years in terminal operations or management.
• Minimum of 5 years supervising staff and leading operational teams.
• Proven experience in strategic planning, regulatory compliance, and operational leadership.
• Experience managing complex, cross-functional projects, working directly with senior leaders and managing change effectively
• Demonstrated expertise in organizational management, including leading cross-functional teams, guiding strategic realignment efforts, cultivating cohesive team environments, navigating diverse interpersonal styles, and driving effective change management initiatives.
• Strong writing, planning, and organizational skills, including strong comfort level with drafting executive-level memos, briefings, and strategic planning documents
• Experience with communications, marketing, or internal engagement strategies, including strong comfort level with executing end-to-end communications on strategic planning
• Skilled in cross-functional collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and data-driven decision-making.
UNIQUE EXPERTISE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATIONS:
• Certifications in maritime safety, operations, or project management (e.g., PMP, Lean Six Sigma) are strongly preferred.
WORK SCHEDULE
• Ability to work a minimum of a 37.5-hour workweek and to meet the demands of a dynamic operational environment, including evenings and weekends as needed.
• Ability to travel locally, nationally, and internationally as required for stakeholder engagement, conferences, or industry forums.
• This position is based at Massport’s Maritime Facilities and requires in-person presence to meet the dynamic needs of business operations; flexibility is essential.
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Korn Ferry shall provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified candidates, and will refer candidates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected basis.
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