Chief Operating Officer

The Port of Nanaimo administers, controls, and manages the harbour, waters and foreshore adjacent to Nanaimo, British Columbia. The Port maintains port resources, stimulates projects and initiatives in cooperation with community partners and businesses to create new jobs and increase economic development and opportunities to Vancouver Island, the Province of BC and Canada while also focusing on the safe, secure and sustainable movement of people and goods. First created in 1961 as the Nanaimo Harbour Commission, as of 1999 the Commission continued as the Nanaimo Port Authority, under the Canada Marine Act. Today, the Port ships 19 different products from Vancouver Island to 24 ports in 13 countries. Add Canada, and the Port ships to 25 ports with distribution through 14 countries — bringing Vancouver Island to the world.

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) works with the President and Chief Executive Officer, other members of the executive and senior management team, and the Board of Directors to oversee the daily functioning of the Port, ensuring smooth operations and compliance with health and safety practices. The COO provides overall leadership in developing the strategy and vision of the Port, and in creating the business plans to achieve corporate objectives and meet the budget and financial goals of the organization. The COO is also responsible for leading the executive and senior management team including four Vice President’s, and fostering a corporate culture that promotes ethical practices, individual integrity and customer focus and service.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a senior strategic and business savvy operations leader ideally with experience in port terminal management or a related field. As the ideal candidate, you bring a minimum of eight years’ experience in operational roles combined with strong people management, financial acumen, strategic collaboration with CEOs or other senior leaders, risk management, and property/real estate management in a complex organization. Prior marine experience is considered an asset as is experience with municipalities and First Nations. Strong communications, problem solving, and political acumen round out your skill set. A bachelor’s degree in business or operations management is required.

To Apply

To fill this position, Port of Nanaimo has partnered with leadership advisory firm Odgers Berndtson. Applications are encouraged immediately and should be submitted online with a resume and cover letter ideally by January 27, 2025 at https://careers.odgersberndtson.com/en-ca/30092

For more information, please contact Kyle Mechar of Odgers Berndtson at [email protected]

We thank all those who express an interest, however only those chosen for further development will be contacted.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Port of Nanaimo is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with the Accessible Canada Act, 2019 and all applicable provincial accessibility standards, upon request, accommodation will be provided by both Odgers Berndtson and Port of Nanaimo throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.

Odgers Berndtson is deeply committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in all the work that we do. As part of our efforts to better understand our ability to reach as broad a pool of candidates as possible for our searches, our EDI team would like to encourage you to take a moment and access our Self-Declaration Form.