Florida Ports Director​/Manager; Ports Maritime

What You Will Do

GFT is currently seeking a Client Service Manager to support our Ports & Maritime team in Florida. The candidate will be a key part of our Ports & Maritime Client Service Teams (CST), developing and implementing strategies to expand our footprint within the sector. Collaborating closely with the Ports & Maritime Market Sector Leader, the Florida Ports & Maritime Client Service Manager will oversee various facets of business development, contracting actions, delivery execution, and customer relationships across open‑ended agreements and standalone projects.

The ideal candidate will manage projects from business development, scope and fee development, resource allocation, and work‑plan formulation. Additionally, they will coordinate with our leadership team to set and achieve strategic goals for growing our Ports & Maritime practice in terms of sales, profitability, and technical excellence.

In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

• Serve as the focal point between GFT, our strategic partners, and ports & maritime clients. This includes coordination with project stakeholders regarding all issues of project delivery, performance, client satisfaction, and new business prospects.
• Drive organic business development initiatives to secure new business. Collaborate with the Ports & Maritime Business Development Lead, Capture, and Marketing teams to support proposal development efforts based on client expectations and key win themes for project pursuits.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of GFT’s Ports & Maritime Market business development strategy and goals. Identify strategic opportunities and participate in go/no‑go decisions with client service teams.
• Develop and maintain relationships with public port and maritime industry clients to effectively interface with the client for proposal and project‑related items.
• Identify strategic opportunities early and participate in teaming and subcontractor vetting processes. Assist in contract/subcontract negotiations and participate in program and project reviews and coordination meetings.
• Support the Ports & Maritime Market Sector Leader with responses to requests for proposals (RFPs), requests for qualifications (RFQs), task‑order requests, proposals, and execution of contracts. Lead the Florida Ports CST and coordinate and support actions from CST members.
• Participate in professional/technical societies and represent GFT at industry conferences.
• Support technical staff recruitment efforts.
• Increase and improve operating efficiencies for all phases of client’s inbound and outbound product handling, with strict adherence toward safety and reduction of operating expenses.
• Guide clients in prioritization of their capital expenditure decisions relative to existing needs, future goals, industry trends and market conditions.
• Improve client access and success with federal, state and local grants. Assist clients with development of grant application strategies and grant fund matching plans.
• Represent client interests with appropriate resource and regulatory agencies.
• Have a strong understanding of federal maritime grant programs and Florida’s FSTED program and its project funding role.
• Facilitate multi‑phase, multi‑partner relationships between mining, manufacturing, shipping and/or port authority/real‑estate development (where appropriate).

Required Qualifications

What you will bring to our firm:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, engineering, architecture, or similar.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in business development for ports & maritime clients in Florida and the US Southeast region.
• Ability to develop and implement a client growth strategy with demonstrable positive outcomes.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, along with strong presentation skills.
• Ability to lead a team on multiple concurrent deadlines.
• Knowledge of Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and scheduling software.
• Travel Requirements:
  Approximately 40‑50% to client sites and offices.
• Capability to cultivate relationships with senior leadership as well as port/maritime market.
• Participate in professional and…