Job Description and Activities
The Director or General Manager of a port oversees all aspects of the organisation, with particular attention to the business and financial management of the company. In some cases a Director will be responsible for more than one port. Typical activities will include:
- Developing business strategy – a Port Director is responsible for planning how to run the business and making sure this plan is followed, as part of a business strategy for the port
- Achieving targets and standards – All ports work to achieve certain targets and standards, relating to efficiency, performance, generating business and profits, and to maintaining quality and safety throughout the workplace. It is the Port Director or General Manager’s responsibility to ensure these target and standards are achieved.
- Recruiting and developing – in larger organisations the Port Director recruits and develops members of the port management team, to assist in running the port. In a smaller organisation, the General Manager would not necessarily have a team, and would be more closely involved in the day to day running of the port, and the recruitment and development of new staff.
- Directing functions and performance – the Port Director oversees the functions and performance of their port (or ports), via the port management team. A General Manager would do the same, but on a smaller scale, and without a port management team in some cases.
- Reporting to board members / shareholders – The Port Director or General Manager would report directly to board members / shareholders on the port’s plans and performance
The Working Environment
The Director of a port will spend the majority of their working hours in an office environment, with less time spent on the dock than other port employees. Meeting with port users, stakeholders and other organisations often requires extensive travel, both nationally and internationally. Overseas placements are common with international companies.
Salary
Because of the variety of size and type of ports and harbours around the UK, the salary for a General Manager/ Port Director can vary greatly from organisation to organisation. On average, a Director will earn £80,000, and possibly rising to well over £100,000 in some of the larger ports. In addition to this, Directors will enjoy some benefits, such as company cars, shares and medical cover.
Entry Requirements
Whilst there are no set entry requirements for becoming a General Manager/Port Director, a degree level qualification is desirable, preferably in business management. There is an existing Diploma in Port Management which is a useful industry-specific qualification. There are also plans to develop a Ports Foundation Degree. Experience in the ports industry is also desirable.
Career Development
As the most senior position in a port’s organisation structure, there are not many obvious career development opportunities for Port Directors. However, within the industry there is potential to move to larger port organisations. Alternatively, there are opportunities for Directors to move to managerial roles in other sectors and industries.