President & CEO

The Opportunity

The Southeastern Ohio Port Authority (SeOPA) is seeking an accomplished, entrepreneurial, and relationship-driven executive to serve as its next President & CEO. The successful candidate will build on a strong foundation of financial capacity, strategic real estate, active development projects, and public-private partnerships to deliver investment, jobs, and long-term economic growth for Washington County.

This is a hands-on executive role at the intersection of business, government, real estate, infrastructure, and finance. The President & CEO must be equally comfortable developing strategy, negotiating transactions, managing complex projects, working with elected officials and state partners, and moving opportunities from concept to completion.

About SeOPA

SeOPA is a statutory port authority and a lead economic development organization for Washington County, Ohio. The Authority works with businesses, developers, property owners, local governments, JobsOhio, OhioSE, the Ohio Department of Development, utilities, educational institutions, and other partners to advance projects that strengthen the county’s tax base, infrastructure, workforce, and quality of life.

SeOPA owns and develops strategic real estate, supports business attraction and expansion, facilitates development financing, pursues infrastructure and site-readiness investments, manages grants and public projects, and provides a flexible platform for complex public-private development opportunities.

The Role

The President & CEO is SeOPA’s chief executive officer and principal economic development practitioner. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the position is responsible for the Authority’s staff, finances, real estate portfolio, development projects, business development activities, partnerships, and organizational performance.

Success will be measured by the ability to advance strategic assets, close high-quality projects, attract and retain private investment, maintain strong financial stewardship, strengthen SeOPA’s long-term capacity, and build trusted relationships throughout Washington County and the region.

Priority Qualifications

• Real estate and project development experience, including acquisitions, dispositions, leases, options, due diligence, infrastructure, site development, or construction.

• Demonstrated ability to structure and negotiate complex transactions, evaluate risk, and balance public and private interests.

• Working knowledge of grants, loans, tax incentives, bond financing, and other public or private development-finance tools.

• A strong record of building productive relationships with businesses, developers, property owners, elected officials, government agencies, utilities, and community partners.

• Experience navigating governmental, permitting, land-use, infrastructure, environmental, or regulatory processes.

• Executive-level judgment with experience managing people, budgets, consultants, projects, and competing priorities while communicating effectively with a governing board.

Candidates do not need to come exclusively from traditional economic development. Relevant backgrounds may include commercial or industrial real estate, development finance, infrastructure, utilities or energy, site selection, law, construction/development, public administration, or private-sector business development.

Key Responsibilities

Real Estate, Projects & Business Development

• Provide executive oversight of SeOPA’s real estate portfolio, strategic sites, and active development projects.

• Identify and evaluate acquisitions, dispositions, leases, options, easements, and other opportunities consistent with Board objectives.

• Lead negotiations and coordinate legal, financial, environmental, engineering, and other due diligence; oversee infrastructure and site-readiness work.

• Cultivate companies, developers, site selectors, utilities, and investors; work with JobsOhio, OhioSE, and local partners on attraction, retention, and expansion projects.

Finance, Governance & Organizational Leadership

• Identify and structure grants, loans, incentives, bond financing, and other resources needed to advance priority projects.

• Prepare and manage the annual budget; maintain strong financial controls, reporting, and accountability for public and private funds.

• Serve as the primary executive liaison to the Board and Executive Committee; plan meetings and provide clear, timely information on projects, transactions, risks, and performance.

• Manage and develop SeOPA staff and coordinate legal, accounting, engineering, financial, and other professional advisors.

Partnerships, Strategy & Public Leadership

• Maintain productive relationships with the Washington County Commissioners, municipalities, townships, state and federal officials, businesses, educational institutions, and regional partners.

• Represent and advocate for SeOPA before government agencies, community organizations, investors, and the public.

• Work with the Board to establish multi-year strategic priorities and an annual work plan with measurable outcomes.

• Identify emerging economic, industrial, infrastructure, and real estate opportunities and position SeOPA to act on them.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required. A relevant master’s or professional degree is valued but not required.

• Progressive experience in economic development, commercial/industrial real estate, development finance, infrastructure, utilities/energy, construction/development, law, public administration, business development, or a closely related field.

• Demonstrated success leading complex projects, transactions, or organizational initiatives involving multiple public and private stakeholders.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills and comfort presenting to boards, elected officials, business leaders, investors, and community groups.

• Ability and willingness to travel regularly throughout Washington County, the region, and Ohio as business needs require.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary: $90,000–$100,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Performance Incentive: Opportunity to earn an annual performance bonus of up to 15% of base salary, based on achievement of established performance goals, organizational outcomes, and the financial health of the Port Authority, as determined by the Board of Directors.

Retirement: Statutory Ohio Public Employee Retirement System (OPERS) contributions.

Leave: Paid holidays and annual personal/sick leave accruing monthly.

Health insurance: May be negotiated as part of an employment agreement.

Other: Monthly cell phone stipend; IRS-rate mileage reimbursement; and reimbursement of reasonable, pre-approved professional expenses.

Terms & How to Apply

This is a full-time, at-will position for an indefinite term. The President & CEO is based in Marietta, Ohio, reports to and is evaluated annually by the Board of Directors, and receives more frequent direction and performance review from the Executive Committee. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to info@seohioport.com. Applications will be reviewed as received, and the position will remain open until filled.

The Southeastern Ohio Port Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer.