Seaport Connectivity Director

Are you ready to think about the future and dream big? At Port Houston, we're seeking individuals who are eager to tackle the most significant challenges of their careers. For over a century, we've been driven by vision and scale, delivering impactful initiatives that shape Houston and the region. Our sustainability and success hinge on attracting, retaining, and nurturing exceptional talent.

When you join Port Houston, you're embarking on a journey towards a fulfilling career path. Take the first step in the right direction—are you READY?

Position Summary

The Seaport Connectivity Director (SCD) is responsible for anticipating, planning and executing strategies that grow capacity on public roadways in balance with Port Houston, freight demand growth and needs for efficient networks serving the Houston Ship Channel region and port hinterland. Identifies and supports freight transportation projects that improve network efficiency and connectivity to Port Houston terminals, freight distribution centers and other related facilities, to enable growth in commerce, increasing transportation volumes and reducing transportation costs. Seeks to optimize regional freight capacity, routes, transit times, service quality levels and sustainability, addressing a trend of explosive growth in freight volumes. Combines business acumen, technical and analytic know-how, relationships and process savvy to achieve goals. Understands H-GAC, TxDOT and other processes for prioritizing, ranking and funding projects, and uses their knowledge to compete for advancing Port Houston freight beneficial projects. This position is accountable to the Port Houston Management Team

Key Responsibilities/Duties

• Collaborates directly with Port senior management, directors of Port Planning,
• Operations and others, the SCD will focus on external capacity development, acting as a prime contact for local, regional and state transportation authorities to conceive, plan, influence and accelerate initiatives, projects and programs that grow capacity outside port terminal fence lines
• Utilizes skills in transportation policy, transportation planning and traffic management technical expertise to define and build convincing quantified and qualitative business cases for specific projects owned by others.
• Advocate for project inclusion on relevant calls for projects and area plans such as TIP, STIP, UTP and for achieving funding, prioritization and schedule acceleration.
• Focus on optimizing overall system capacity through accelerating physical infrastructure expansions and efficiency levers such as expanded hours and specific traffic management strategies that enhance usable capacity.
• Develops an in-depth understanding of freight flows between origin/destinations to and from Port Houston terminals as basis for above projects and business cases.
• Support freight stakeholder needs, and other intermodal strategies including rail and container-on-barge, as needed
• Contributes vision for the future of transportation in the region and hinterland of Port Houston
• Lead advocate for inland freight transportation projects, programs and funding
• Evaluate existing transportation systems, recommend improvements, and ensure alignment with Port Houston’s long-term growth strategy.
• Creates a long-term view of freight related investment needs, and maintains proactive schedule of Port beneficial projects anticipating calls for projects, selection processes and inclusion in near and long-term plans (TIP and RTP); communicates actions needed to Port Management
• Actively engages a wide network and ensures Port priorities are included in State TxDOT, local H-GAC Transportation Policy Council, and neighboring county, city and community discussions
• Represents Port Houston at public meetings, events and where needed as a subject matter expert, and proactively coordinates with Port teams to guide collective efforts toward common goals
• Conceive, scope and program manage transportation planning efforts including working with consultants and contractors to execute technical analyses, systems and process improvements, and infrastructure upgrades
• Directs traffic impact analyses and feasibility studies supporting port development and master planning initiatives.
• Work closely with the Government Relations, Port Operations, Infrastructure and Finance teams to align on scope, schedule, and budget for transportation-related projects.
• Support environmental assessments and permitting processes.
• Provide expert input on port planning and master planning documents, ensuring transportation needs are addressed in current and future terminal expansions.
• Monitor emerging transportation trends and technologies to integrate innovative solutions into Port Houston’s development plans, and Provide insights on industry trends, regulatory changes, and technological advancements in transportation.
• Prepare and present detailed reports, presentations, and recommendations for senior leadership and other stakeholders.
• Act in accordance with Port Houston core values (respect, excellence, accountability, diligence, and you)
• Perform other duties as assigned
  
  

Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Transportation Planning, Construction Management, a related STEM field. Master’s degree in technical or business field preferred.
• Preferably 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in transportation planning and economics, ideally in a port, transportation, or logistics environment with large scale project portfolio direction, and team leadership
• Strong knowledge of transportation budgeting, planning processes and methods, traffic capacity analysis and modeling, benefit-cost analysis, and regulatory standards.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities And Behaviors

• Demonstrated ability to scope, work-plan, lead and solve complex problems having multiple issues including technical, financial, regulatory and policy considerations
• Ability to build quantified and qualitative benefit-cost analysis and concrete business cases that articulate purpose, value, costs, risks and resource plans for specific projects and initiatives
• Diplomatic approach to achieving win-win with external counterparties and internal colleagues, supported by high emotional intelligence, active listening, and ability to build trust
• In-depth understanding of transportation systems, port operations, and multimodal logistics.
• Practical understanding of traffic management project requirements including construction of roads and related ramps, drainage, signage and wayfinding, right-of-way, and other aspects
• Proficiency in traffic analysis tools and GIS-based software.
• Deep understanding of transportation and land planning, air quality and freight movements, freight trucking operations and traffic safety and ability to assist in steering regional plans and studies
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to present complex transportation concepts to a variety of public and internal audiences.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced setting.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Leadership capabilities, with a focus on guiding junior staff and supporting team development.
• Fiscal acumen, management of departmental project budgets and capital planning
• Ability to drive a project from concept through procurement, to executed completion
• Road systems experience required, rail and maritime experience a strong plus
• Follows through on commitments
  
  

Key Competencies Required

• Strategic Thinking & Planning
• Technical Expertise in Transportation Infrastructure
• Ability to conduct research and report findings
• Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration
• Problem Solving & Decision Making
• Project Management
• Regulatory Knowledge and Compliance
  
  

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but due to open office environment noise level may occasionally be high. To apply, please go to porthouston.com/careers. Only applications submitted through the Port Houston Careers website will be acknowledged. Port Houston is an equal opportunity employer and participates in the E-Verify program supervised by the U.S. Government.

Thank you for choosing Port Houston in your career search.

Disclaimer

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this job. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.