Job Opening, Bid Notices and/or RFQ's

General Manager

The General Manager of the Kaskaskia Regional Port District is responsible for the daily operations of the Port District including the management of the properties and business of the Port District and the employees thereof subject to the general control of the Port District’s Board. Additionally, the General Manager shall direct the enforcement of all ordinances, resolutions, rules, and regulations of the Board, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed from time to time by the Board, which may include fiscal management, personnel management, customer relations, business development and oversight of the terminal operators of all Port District facilities and properties. Reporting to a 15-member Board of Directors, the General Manager will also be responsible for other tasks as assigned and under the general direction of the Port District Board. The General Manager serves at the will of, reports directly to, and is responsible/accountable to the Kaskaskia Regional Port District Board Members. The General Manager position is a full-time position located in Red Bud, Illinois.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced professional with a successful track record of developing and implementing port and marine terminal development and other infrastructure projects (i.e., rail), as well as demonstrating a proven expertise in managing Federal and State Grant requirements while navigating local, state and federal government activities and conceptualizing, developing and launching new business opportunities.

The ideal candidate will be an excellent communicator and collaborative leader who is adept at developing and realizing a vision for business growth while successfully managing all aspects of a diverse organization. The ideal candidate will have exceptional business acumen and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, preferably having reported previously to an elected or appointed board or commission.  The candidate understands that the Port District is a public body and that the position of General Manager serves for the benefit of the public.

Essential Job Functions 

· Implements the Strategic Plan of the Port District.

· Responsible for the development of operating plans and budgets, monitoring of fiscal conditions, approving budget expenses, and monitoring operational forecasts.

· Proactively identify opportunities to contain costs and/or increase revenues. Reports these conditions and opportunities to the Board.

· Directly accountable to the Board for the overall management and daily operations of the Port District, including any contractual requirements with the Terminal Operators and tenants.

· Serve as the Port District’s liaison with public and private entities, stakeholders, and community organizations at the local, state, and federal level.

· Provide direct supervision, effective leadership, and mentoring of the Port District’s Team. Supervision of staff to include ensuring staff are properly trained; ensuring staff follow policies, procedures, and applicable laws, rules, and regulations; maintaining a healthy and safe working environment; and making hiring, termination, and disciplinary decisions.

· Direct management and coordination of the complete grant administration process, includes researching grants, developing grant applications and submissions, oversight of post-award compliance, and related activities.

· Supervise and coordinate the negotiation of contracts for all Port District projects including major capital projects, employee remuneration, rental/lease agreements, and other business-related transactions.

· Responsible for the maintenance and development of all Port District-owned assets and facilities, including compliance with applicable laws and regulations and the securing of all permits from regulatory agencies necessary to conduct Port District business.

· Oversee the scheduling of Board Meetings and executive sessions, following the guidelines of the Illinois Open Meetings Act. Attend all Board Meetings.

· Oversees the outreach efforts including updating the website and contact with media and other organizations.

· An active participant in IRPD, LKSI, Bi-State Freightway, IDOT Advisory Committee, and KWA.  Attends meetings of other organizations and agencies from time to time including meetings held in the evening.

· Within one year completes the Certificate Program for The Inland Maritime Port Manager/Executive (IMPM/IMPE) Program.

Required Education & Experience 

· A bachelor’s degree in business or related disciplines.

· Minimum of at least 3 years in an executive level role. Experience must include personnel management, fiscal budget management, maritime and/or port development, and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience, which demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

· Knowledge of general cargo and dry bulk commodity port operations and management, economic development, maritime and railroad commerce, personnel practices, operations of marine facilities and docks, railroad operations and infrastructure, public budget practices, warehouse property management, dredging, and project management.

· Proficient in MS Office, Zoom, and Google products such as Google Sheets, Google Sites, Gmail, Google Calendar etc.

Additional Qualifications 

· Experience with political advocacy at the federal, state, and local levels. Community outreach oriented with experience representing an organization to a wide variety of audiences.

· Experience interpreting and applying federal, state, and local policies, laws, rules, and regulations. 

· High level of negotiating experience, specifically related to major capital projects. Work duties may take place in the office or outside in inclement weather, on and around docks, storage yards, warehousing, and barges.

· The successful candidate is expected to live within the Port District’s territorial jurisdiction.

· While performing the duties of this job, the employee is often required to: climb stairs, bend, stoop, kneel, twist, reach with hands, sit, stand for an extended period of time, climb ladders, walk, lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

· Must have a valid Driver’s License. The work will require travel to various locations.

Benefits  

KRPD offers a generous compensation and benefits package. KRPD also provides paid time off (PTO), all State of Illinois paid holidays, and participation in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) and Federal Social Security.

Employment Eligibility 

The successful candidate will be required to consent to a pre-employment background investigation. KRPD is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All applicants are considered strictly based on their qualifications for a position, without consideration of the applicant’s race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, disability or genetic information.

Application Process:

Please mail your cover letter and resume along with 3 references that include contact information for each reference to:

Attn: Lisa Hess, Chair, of the Professional Services Committee

Kaskaskia Regional Port District

336 N. Main St.

Red Bud, IL  62278

Or email to anna@kaskaskiaport.com