THE COMPANY
The Nanaimo Port Authority (“NPA”) is a federally constituted Canada Port Authority responsible for administering, controlling, and managing the harbour, waters, and foreshore adjacent to Nanaimo, British Columbia. Originally established in 1961 as the Nanaimo Harbour Commission, the organization was continued under the Canada Marine Act on July 1, 1999, aligning NPA with the national framework governing Canada’s major trade-focused port authorities.
NPA is mandated to advance Canada’s national trade objectives while remaining financially self-sufficient operating without federal subsidy. As a commercially oriented port authority, NPA supports safe navigation, environmental stewardship, and the efficient movement of goods and passengers, consistent with federal expectations for autonomous port operations.
NPA plays a central role in Vancouver Island’s logistics and marine supply chain, serving as the region’s primary hub for cargo handling and marine transportation. The port manages key deep-sea terminal operations, including the Nanaimo Assembly Wharf and Duke Point Terminal, which support cargo movement, marine operations, and industrial supply-chain activities. These terminals, along with NPA’s marine facilities and waterfront infrastructure, are an essential link connecting island-based businesses to domestic and international markets. Key tenants and major users of the Port include DP World, SSA Marine, Mitsubishi Corporation, Hullo Ferries, Seaspan Ferries Corporation, Western Forest Products, and Island Tug and Barge.
NPA’s modernization and capacity expansion are supported through cross-sector collaboration with government and industry partners. Recent investments reflect a multi-partner approach that includes the Federal Government through the National Trade Corridors Fund, DP World, the Port of Nanaimo, and, significantly, the Province of British Columbia, marking the province’s first financial contribution towards terminal development, and response to evolving supply-chain needs across Vancouver Island.
The most recent publicly available financials indicate that the Nanaimo Port Authority generated approximately $13.1 million in revenue in 2024, comprised of roughly $6.6 million from port operations and $6.0 million from lease revenue, reflecting a balanced mix of operating and real estate income streams. The organization delivered solid financial performance, with EBITDA of approximately $3.8million in 2025, underscoring a high-margin, asset-driven business model. It also maintains a strong liquidity position, with sufficient short-term assets and cash reserves to comfortably meet near-term obligations.
In summary, continued investment will enhance operational capacity, improve logistics flexibility, and support long term competitiveness. It also reinforces the Port Authority’s role as an economic catalyst for mid-Vancouver Island, ensuring that infrastructure expansion delivers measurable community and regional benefits.
OUR VISION: To be the Vancouver Island port connecting the Island to the world via the Salish Sea, providing the safe and sustainable movement of people and goods while delivering economic growth that benefits Canada, British Columbia and the Island.
OUR PURPOSE: With safety, security and sustainability top of mind our purpose is to build and maintain port resources. We will stimulate projects and initiatives, in cooperating with community partners and businesses that will create new jobs and increase economic development and opportunities.
More information about the organization can be found on the NPA website: Home - Port of Nanaimo
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
Reporting to the Board of Directors, Nanaimo Port Authority is seeking a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the Port through its next phase of growth, positioning it as a key West Coast gateway. At an inflection point, with Vancouver Island’s population nearing one million, Nanaimo is well placed to relieve pressure from larger ports such as Vancouver and expand its role in national trade.
The primary focus of this role is to lead the continued transformation of the Nanaimo Port Authority into a critical West Coast gateway, strengthening its role in Canada’s trade and supply chain ecosystem. This includes advancing Duke Point as a major cargo hub, building a more integrated logistics platform across marine, rail, and land-based infrastructure, and driving long-term capacity through strategic partnerships and investment.
The CEO will play a central role in strengthening relationships with First Nations, government, and industry, while guiding the organization through growth, cultural evolution, and leadership development. Supported by a COO and a capable leadership team across Finance, Business Development, Asset Management, Operations, and Real Estate, the CEO will ensure the organization continues to evolve in line with its strategic ambitions. Success in this role will require balancing strong local credibility with a broader national and global perspective.
Key responsibilities include setting and executing strategy; overseeing operations, infrastructure, and financial performance; building strong stakeholder relationships; and ensuring sound governance, compliance, and environmental stewardship.
This role is ideal for a forward-thinking entrepreneurial executive with experience in ports, logistics, infrastructure, or similarly complex environments. The successful candidate will bring strong operational and stakeholder leadership, experience working with Indigenous communities and government, and the ability to lead a close-knit organization through measured growth and change. The role has resulted from the pending retirement of the incumbent CEO who has been with the NPA for almost four decades. The ideal candidate will respect and build on this successful legacy in continuing to elevate and evolve the organization for decades to come.
Key Responsibilities
The President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has the overall responsibility to the Board of Directors for leading and managing the company through the development and implementation of NPA strategies and policies, ensuring the work of the organization aligns with the overall vision, mission, goals and objectives of the strategic plan and adheres to the Letters Patent and the Canada Marine Act. The President & CEO leads the executive management team and oversees the organization's operations.
Key responsibilities are as follows:
Leadership
- Develop and maintain an effective organization structure for the Port that reflects operational needs and is directed towards accomplishing the objectives established in the strategic and operational plans.
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Develop a strong leadership team that ensures a healthy, productive work environment to retain top talent and ensure a comprehensive succession plan for all management positions in the organization is identified and developed.
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Engage key members of the executive management with exposure to the Board, at Board and Committee meetings.
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Foster a corporate culture that promotes ethical practices and encourages individual integrity and social responsibility.
Board Relations
- Maintain an effective working and reporting relationship with the Board by establishing a reporting system that provides timely, regular, and reliable reports on performance in financial, operational, service and labour matters that use key performance indicators to provide the Board and Management with an accurate assessment of the strategies, and financial and operational status of the Company.
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Identify and report to the Board the principal risks of the business, and ensure the implementation of systems to identify, monitor, and manage these risks. The President and CEO will report quarterly on the Company's risk management including, but not limited to, financial, safety, information systems, operational, legal, and human resources matters.Meet regularly, and as required, with the Board Chair and Committees to review material issues and ensure that the Board Chair and the Board are provided in a timely manner with all the information.
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When working with Boards and Committees, ensure that information provided is easily disseminated and assist the Board or Committee members in fully understanding current business issues.
Strategic Planning
- Seek Board approval for the annual operational and capital budgets, the levels of authority on expenditures against the annual budgets, capital plans, and other actions or transactions falling outside the plans approved by the Board.
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Successfully implement the dynamic engagement-focused strategic plan developed through input from the Board of Directors and executive management, through corresponding financial, operational and other supporting initiatives.
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Develop and recommend to the Board a set of performance expectations that, if and when approved, the President & CEO is responsible for achieving over the next performance period.
Operations
- Ensure the safe and efficient operation of Port and ensure compliance with regulations and policies.
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Ensure the financial integrity of the Company as a financially sustainable and socially responsible organization.
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Develop and implement operational policies within the limits prescribed by the framework of the strategic directions adopted by the Board.
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Ensure the integrity of the Port internal control and management information systems.
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Have significant oversight over—and often be the executive sponsor for—large projects. Play a key role in ensuring those projects are delivering on their timing and financial obligations and keeps all key stakeholders informed on any significant risks or variances that occur.
Communications & Stakeholder Relations
- Act as a primary spokesperson for the organization and develop a visible, credible and respected public image for the NPA.
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Maintain good working relationships with the First Nations, federal, provincial and municipal governments and regulatory bodies.
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Collaborate closely with the Board Chair to coordinate their public roles and communications for consistency.
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Build relationships with community leaders, key stakeholders and others to foster a climate of openness and trust.
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Where operational matters are likely to spark significant public interest or debate, inform Board members before a public statement is made.
YEAR ONE CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS
After 12 months in the role, the CEO will have:
- Established strong, trusted relationships with First Nations, federal, provincial and municipal government, and key regional stakeholders, building on existing agreements and positioning the Port as a credible and collaborative partner across all levels.
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Delivered clear financial performance and discipline, with strong P&L ownership, improved revenue streams, and a sustainable balance between growth investments and bottom-line results.
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Advanced critical infrastructure priorities, with major projects (including Duke Point and assembly of land for broader logistics capabilities) well underway and supported by aligned funding and partnerships.
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Progressed key strategic initiatives, including rail conversations and early-stage defense related opportunities, moving discussions into tangible plans with relevant partners.
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Strengthened the organization by building team capacity, enhancing morale, and evolving the structure to support a more strategic, growth-oriented operating model.
THE CANDIDATE
Experience and Professional Qualifications
The ideal candidate is a senior executive who has demonstrated success in leading a complex industrial organization within a multi-stakeholder environment, and a hands-on leader with recognized diplomacy and integrity. The President & CEO will bring a track record of establishing solid relationships with employees, the Board, First Nations, government stakeholder groups and customers.
The position requires business acumen to ensure the long-term viability and sustainability of the organization and lead an accountable executive team. He or she will be accustomed to working with a Board of Directors, developing business strategies, executing on a vision, ensuring profitable business operations and identifying business opportunities to advance the mandate of the organization.
Specific requirements of the position include:
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Master’s degree in business or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
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A minimum of 10 years of related senior executive experience in ports, logistics, infrastructure, natural resources or similarly complex environments including managing departments with multiple employees.
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Extensive senior leadership experience, with a proven ability to lead within a multi-stakeholder, complex and regulated business.
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Demonstrated success as a CEO or senior executive, with a strong track record of working effectively within formal governance structures.
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Willingness and ability to travel without restrictions nationally and internationally (travel currently is less than 25%).
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Ability to secure Canadian security clearance is mandatory.
Skills and Competencies
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Strategic and commercially minded leader with a proven ability to develop and execute plans, drive performance, and deliver on financial commitments.
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Strong political acumen, with experience influencing public policy and building effective relationships across all levels of government, regulators, First Nations, and industry stakeholders.
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Demonstrated success leading complex transformation initiatives, including change management in unionized and regulated environments.
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Experienced in sponsoring large-scale infrastructure or capital projects on time and on budget, with a strong understanding of risk management and governance.
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Effective communicator and credible spokesperson, able to engage diverse audiences, including Boards, employees, stakeholders, and media.
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Deep commitment to safety, accountability, and the responsible management of public resources, supported by strong analytical and financial capabilities.
Leadership and Management
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Open, transparent leader with a collaborative, approachable style that builds trust, credibility, and strong working relationships.
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Proven ability to build, lead, and develop high-performing teams, fostering accountability while empowering others through delegation and mentorship.
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Sound judgment and decision-making skills, with the ability to navigate complexity, balance competing priorities, and drive results.
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Progressive and practical leadership approach, combining innovation with a strong understanding of organizational dynamics and operational realities.
Personal Characteristics
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Results-oriented, resilient, and proactive, with the drive and perseverance to lead through growth and change.
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High integrity, ethical and values-driven, with a strong sense of accountability and commitment to transparency.
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Trusted relationship builder and effective influencer, with the ability to engage openly and constructively across diverse groups.
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Creative, pragmatic problem-solver who is comfortable making difficult decisions.
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Approachable, personable, and grounded, with a leadership presence that connects across all levels of the organization.
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Korn Ferry shall provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified candidates, and will refer candidates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected basis. Artificial Intelligence tools may be used in connection with the recruitment process for this position.
