ASSISTANT DIRECTOR - PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

Full Job Description

THE PORT OF LONG BEACH IS SEEKING AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

(This is an at-will position)

Salary Range: $174,568 - $244,396 (DOE/DOQ)

ABOUT US

The Port of Long Beach, one of the world's busiest seaports, serves as an international gateway for the reliable, efficient, and sustainable movement of goods and is a leader in environmental stewardship.

Credited with facilitating approximately $300 billion in trade, the Port serves as a vital hub for international commerce and is a major transportation hub.

East Asian trade accounts for the bulk of Long Beach shipments.

Port-related international trade has a significant economic impact, supporting millions of jobs that benefit both the region and the country as a whole.

THE TEAM

One of the six unique divisions of the Engineering Bureau is our Program Management Division.

The Program Management Division has the high calling of managing what is consistently one of the most extensive capital programs of any port in the nation and our Project Management Office (PMO).

The work of the division includes short- and long-range planning and studies to define and program infrastructure needs both internally and with trade-related stakeholders and other agencies; the management of both individual projects and extensive programs from beginning to end; advocacy for authorizations, legislation, and funding with State and federal partners; and managing the Bureau’s continuous improvement processes related to project/program delivery.

THE ROLE

As the Assistant Director of Program Management, this role occupies the esteemed position of the second-highest-ranking individual within the division, wielding significant influence and leadership.

Reporting directly to the Director, this accomplished leader assumes a pivotal role in steering and guiding a team entrusted with the Port's Capital Improvement Program (CIP) delivery, the meticulous maintenance and repair of Port infrastructure, and the seamless execution of all ancillary initiatives.

The scope of responsibility extends beyond mere oversight, as the Assistant Director is tasked with providing strategic direction to the team, ensuring the successful implementation of high-impact projects that align with the Port's overarching goals.

A critical aspect of this role involves not only meeting current operational demands but also forecasting and planning for future infrastructure needs, contributing to the long-term vision and sustainability of the Port.

In addition to managing ongoing projects, the Assistant Director plays a central role in establishing, maintaining, and continually enhancing the Port's project delivery processes and procedures.

This encompasses developing and optimizing robust project management and quality management systems, reflecting a commitment to excellence and efficiency in all facets of program management.

As a dynamic and forward-thinking leader, the Assistant Director actively engages in the strategic planning process, collaborating with senior management to shape the direction of the division.

This role requires adept decision-making, effective communication, and the ability to foster a collaborative and high-performance work environment.

To learn more about this exciting career opportunity and the Port of Long Beach, please join our virtual information session on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, @ 5:00 pm PDT via MS Teams. This is a unique opportunity to hear first-hand about the position, speak directly with hiring leaders, ask questions, and learn why the Port of Long Beach is your employer of choice! Candidates are not required to be on camera. To join audio only, call +1 323-451-1087, Phone Conference ID: 356 336 034# Click here to join the meeting.

TO SEE THE FULL RECRUITMENT BROCHURE VISIT: Assistant Director of Program Management

Requirements

HOW YOU GET TO CONTRIBUTE:

• Assist the Director of Program Management with managing the division: establishes staff work schedules; plans and allocates office space for staff; assists with preparing the Division’s annual personnel and non-personnel budgets; oversees resource planning and management; establishes, adopts, enforces, and implements the organization’s policies and procedures; advises Director on staffing and operational procedural issues; works with Director to develop strategic plans; incorporates best management practices and technologies; evaluates Division performance.
• Advise the Director of Program Management on the Port’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) staffing and operational protocol issues; work with the Director to develop strategic plans for implementing the CIP and other initiatives.
• Represent the Director of Program Management in their absence as requested at senior staff meetings, Board of Harbor Commissioner (Board) Meetings, or for other queries from senior Port staff; sign correspondence in and voice and other documents as needed.
• Direct assigned Program Management (PM) Division staff in performing their daily responsibilities; interviews and recommends employees for hire; trains, coaches, and mentor staff; evaluates employee performance, prepares annual performance reviews and provides coaching for performance improvement; takes disciplinary action to address performance or other deficiencies.
• Direct and oversee multiple Capital Improvement Programs (CIPs) and projects to ensure effective delivery by supervising Program Management groups: reviews cash flow forecasts; reviews risk analyses produced to determine project feasibility; reviews and approves preliminary engineering studies, project scopes, budgets, project and master schedules, cost estimates and contract documents; provides reviews on submittals including reports, calculations, plans, specifications, and estimates; monitors project progress, contractor invoicing and payments, contract amendments and change orders; oversees public bidding processes; directs construction support services including Request for Information (RFI’s); oversees the project close-out process and ensures asset allocation has been provided to the Finance Division.
• Oversee the administration of consultant contracts: Review requests for Statements of Qualifications (RSOQs) for the purpose of hiring consultants to complete assigned projects; review statements of qualification; prepare short-list of most qualified firms; conduct interviews of the short-listed consultants as part of a panel and chooses consultants; negotiates fees; administers consultant contracts; initiates and reviews consultant contract amendments; reviews and validates consultant invoices; controls scope, schedule, cost, and terms.
• Oversee the Program Management Office (PMO) that develops and implements program management and project management policies, procedures, and training for the Engineering Bureau to increase project management effectiveness and provide continuous improvement of project delivery.
• Ensure the PMO captures lessons learned, defines best practices, and performs project and process reviews to improve project delivery.
• Oversee the implementation of the QA Program in accordance with PMO policies for all project deliverables of the Engineering Bureau.
• Prepare agendas, chair various meetings, and ensure all action items are completed.
• Handle day-to-day administrative approval functions for time off requests, electronic time cards, purchase orders, and cash reimbursements.
• Prepare and review Board memoranda, Bureau Notes, and other correspondence; approve before submittal to the Director of Program Management; attend Board meetings as required.
• Serve in the partnering in the dispute resolution processes.
• Review weekly and monthly status reports from all Engineering Program Management groups; verify all pertinent information provided; report project status, activity, and issues to the division director.
• Represent the Port and the PM Division at engineering professional functions.
• Prepare and present technical presentations to industry leaders at conferences; prepare and present non-technical presentations to the Board to describe Program Management requests contained in Board Memoranda; give project presentations to local community groups.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related engineering field is required.
• Registration as a Professional Civil, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineer in California is required.

Seven or more years of increasingly responsible engineering experience working with Port/Harbor, transportation, or related projects of similar scale and complexity, which must be done as a registered professional engineer in a supervisory capacity with direct reports.

This qualifying experience must have been attained after successful graduation with a degree in civil engineering or a closely related field OR after passing the Professional Engineers (P.E.) examination.

• A minimum of three years of experience is required, specifically in the direct supervision of at least two registered professional engineers. It's crucial to note that experience overseeing the work of consultants while employed by a public entity does not fulfill this supervisory requirement.
• Must have experience in project management, construction management, and/or technical design.
• Must have a proven ability to implement new programs or practices designed to enhance service and value
• Must have previous experience managing projects and budgets.
• Willingness to work an irregular schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability to travel to work-related events, including off-site meetings and conferences.

TECHNICAL SKILLS NEEDED:

• Thorough knowledge of civil engineering design and construction theories, principles, and practices is required.
• Wide knowledge of design and construction practices related to Port infrastructure and municipal public work projects is required.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, techniques, and common materials and equipment used in various engineering projects' design, construction, and maintenance is required.
• Knowledge of components of construction plans and specifications is required.
• Knowledge of project management methods and practices for planning, budgeting, scheduling, monitoring project performance, and evaluating results is required.
• Must have a valid California Driver’s License to perform work-related duties.

DESIRABLE:

You will need strong negotiation skills, political savvy, excellent client/customer relation skills, and exceptional public speaking/presentation skills to thrive.

You must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with various employees, vendor representatives, officials, and Port management.

If you require accommodation because of a disability in order to participate in any phase of the application/selection process, please contact (562) 283-7500 or email Careers@polb.com

Additional Information

The final filing date for this recruitment is Tuesday, May 5, 2026 @ 11:59 pm PDT.

To be considered for this opportunity, please submit a cover letter and resume at www.tristargovsolutions.com/careers

The Port reserves the right to extend the closing date without notice in order to accept additional applications.

Individuals who are most qualified for the position will be invited to participate in the selection process, which will include a first round of phone interviews tentatively scheduled between April 20 and May 18, 2026.

Second-round panel interviews are scheduled for Thursday, May 28, 2026, (virtual) and Thursday, June 11, 2026 (in-person). Candidates should ensure availability on both dates.

The successful candidate will be appointed shortly thereafter. References will be completed for finalist candidates; an employment offer is contingent on conducting a comprehensive background check.

The Port of Long Beach has established an annual salary range of $174,568.63 - $244,396.08 (Appointment to this position is expected to be at or below the midpoint of the salary range; however, the final amount will be carefully determined based on the candidate's knowledge, skills, qualifications, and an evaluation of internal equity within the organization).

An attractive package of executive-level benefits is also included, with the opportunity to work in one of the most diverse and dynamic areas of the United States.

The Port’s generous benefits package includes:

• Auto Allowance – $550.00 per month
• Executive Leave – 40 hours per year.
• Retirement – CalPERS 2% @ 62, coordinated with Social Security. Current member contributions are 8.00% for CalPERS and 6.2% for Social Security, paid by the employee.
• Pay for Performance – Pay for Performance is awarded based on employee performance as demonstrated through achievement of individual goals, demonstration of required competencies, and available budget funds.
• Deferred Compensation – The City contributes up to 5% of the base salary for all qualified members contributing to the 457(b) plan.
• Group Health Insurance – Medical and dental options (HMO and PPO). Free vision coverage.
• Life Insurance – City-paid life insurance policy of $20,000 plus executive insurance benefit equal to three times annual salary up to a maximum of $500,000.
• Disability Insurance – City-paid short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Vacation – Vacation is accrued at 3.7 hours per pay period to begin, which is equivalent to two weeks on an annual basis. Vacation can be used after six months of service.
• Sick Leave – Accrued at 8 hours per month. Accruals may be converted upon retirement into cash credits toward health and/or dental insurance premiums or retirement service credits.
• Paid Parental Leave – After six (6) months of City employment, the City pays up to 30 consecutive days (160 hours) for eligible employees to take paid time to bond with the child upon birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child, up to the age of 17.
• Holidays – 11 scheduled holidays per calendar year and four (4) personal holidays.
• Bereavement Leave – 5 days for the death or critical illness of an immediate family member.
• Education Reimbursement – Tuition reimbursement allows employees to obtain additional education or training.
• Annual Physical – Eligible to receive an annual physical examination at the city's expense through the city-provided program.
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness – As the Harbor Department of the City of Long Beach, a governmental agency, the Port of Long Beach is a qualifying employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

529 college savings plan – The ScholarShare529 plan is an account that allows employees to invest specifically for future education expenses through the Long Beach City Employees Federal Credit Union.

Funds can be used from your 529 savings plan to send your grandkids, kids, or even yourself to any accredited public or private U.S.

college or university, or two-year technical or vocational institution.

The Port of Long Beach will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act.

You are not required to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until you receive a conditional job offer.

If the Port of Long Beach has concerns about a conviction that is directly related to the job after making a conditional job offer and conducting a background check, you will have the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide evidence to mitigate concerns or challenge the accuracy of the background report.

Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act or https://www.longbeach.gov/hr/about-us/talent-acquisition/the-fair-chance-act/.

The Port of Long Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

www.polb.com