Port Director

Department: Port

Job class: 9399-Port Director

Role type: Permanent Exempt

Hours: Full-time

Important Note: The City and County of San Francisco is partnering with Berkeley Search Consultants on this recruitment. All interested parties must submit their applications to Berkeley Search Consultants via the following link: to apply. Do not use the "I'm Interested" button to submit your application. Candidates are encouraged to express interest early in the process. This recruitment is considered “open” until filled.

For first consideration, submit your application by February 20, 2026.

For Additional Information, Please Contact:
Julia Morse | VP, Healthcare & Public Sector:
-or
- Phong Trieu | VP, Fulfillment Strategies:

THE CITY

One of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, renowned for its steep rolling hills, San Francisco is a city of international character with a diverse population. San Francisco covers about 47 square miles and has approximately 800,000 residents. The city is home to notable attractions, cultural and performing arts, sports teams, financial institutions, and a growing technology sector.

THE PORT OF SAN FRANCISCO

The waterfront is an iconic symbol of San Francisco and a vital part of the Greater Bay Area. The Port is a public enterprise agency promoting a balance of maritime, recreational, industrial, transportation, public access and commercial activities in a self-supporting manner. The Port operates maritime facilities and commercial real estate, including a four-mile seawall, and oversees activities such as cargo and cruise shipping, ferries, ship repair, fishing, harbor services, and property management.

The Port has over 340 full-time employees and a FY2025-26 proposed budget of $143.3 million.

Role description

THE POSITION
The Port Executive Director is the chief executive of the San Francisco Port Commission. The position is responsible for the overall management, development, and long-term success of the Port, an enterprise agency held as a public trust. Under policy oversight of the Port Commission, the Executive Director manages all administrative and operations activities of the Port.

The Port Executive Director is appointed by the Mayor based upon nomination by the Port Commission. The Executive Director is exempt from civil service provisions and serves at the pleasure of the Port Commission.

The Executive Director is responsible for leading, planning, directing, coordinating, controlling and evaluating activities across Port staff, including administrative, fiscal, governmental relations and public relations; economic development and planning; port security and safety; environmental compliance; engineering; inspection of Port properties; contracting; business development and marketing; property rental and leasing; repair and maintenance; and staffing and personnel operations.

THE PORT COMMISSION

The Port of San Francisco is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners, each appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Board of Supervisors, with four-year terms. The Port Commission oversees the seven and one-half miles of San Francisco Waterfront, which the Port develops, markets, leases, administers, manages, and maintains.

How to qualify

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The Port is entering a period of physical transformation and a generational shift. The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Enterprise-level experience within a multifaceted organization, with success navigating complex business environments, large-scale development, placemaking, or real estate portfolio management.
• Transformational, organizational leadership: ability to build a high-functioning, mission-driven workforce; strengthen communication; cultivate belonging; create career ladders; and foster a healthy workplace culture.
• Mega-project delivery capacity and cross-agency orchestration: aligning engineering, planning, development, federal partners, and city departments into a unified, accountable delivery system.
• Strong financial stewardship: ability to manage deficits, secure external funding, structure public-private partnerships, and invest for long-term public benefit.
• Equity: embedding equity as a driver of performance, transparency, access, fairness, and accountability for staff and communities.
• Vision: a fresh, generative vision for the waterfront paired with disciplined delivery through planning and follow-through.
• Communication &
  
  Collaboration:
  
  the Port engages a wide range of stakeholders; the Director must represent the Port locally, nationally, and internationally.

EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION

• At minimum, a baccalaureate degree; a master’s degree is preferred.
• Seven or more years of senior executive leadership experience, including responsibility for leading complex, multi-layered departments and cross-functional divisions.
• Proven record of managing large, multifaceted organizations, navigating enterprise-level complexity, and delivering results with strong stakeholder engagement, operational discipline, and…