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Business Development and Leasing Coordinator (Niagara)

The Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA Ports) is seeking a driven, solution-focused and dynamic individual to join our Commercial team.

WHO WE ARE

The Commercial team at HOPA Ports works with Canadian and international companies to facilitate trade across our growing port network on the Great Lakes. Our team identifies strategic growth initiatives and maximizes our assets through: leasing, investment, and partnering to develop trade and transportation-related infrastructure. HOPA’s Commercial team has attracted more than $500 million in investment in the past decade, and manages a portfolio of more than 180 diverse tenants and transportation partners.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

This is an exciting role for a smart, entrepreneurial, problem-solver. The Business Development and Leasing Coordinator is responsible for strategic business development and client management for HOPA’s diverse industrial-commercial portfolio. You will identify, facilitate and promote new business opportunities, manage real estate transactions, while cultivating exemplary partnerships with current customers.

*This role is primarily based out of Niagara at the Thorold Multimodal Hub and will require occasional travel to our Hamilton and Oshawa locations.  The initial training period (approximately 3-6 months) will be based at our Hamilton location.*

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Grow our real estate and cargo business by helping existing clients expand and attracting new business opportunities to HOPA owned and managed lands

  • Accountable for delivering on HOPA’s brand promise to existing and potential customers
  • Support commercial lease negotiations for new business opportunities and renewal agreements
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement strategies and initiatives to enhance customer satisfaction
  • Analyze lease and development proposals ensuring an optimal rate of return to HOPA
  • Understand potential and investment needs of HOPA’s commercial assets
  • Work with commercial team to develop and implement land use strategies plan that supports the overall objective of increasing the ports logistics capabilities and usage
  • Ensure timely and accurate updating of CRM system Salesforce

Negotiate commercial terms and follow through on execution of contracts

  • Ensure that lease covenants and HOPA Operating Regulations are enforced
  • Pursue legal issues such as lease defaults; interact with legal firms as required
  • Undertake research and market intelligence to ensure that rents charged by HOPA for its commercial assets are in line with market
  • Actively review and verify leases versus actual conditions for compliance and opportunities for growth

Manage day to day property activities and foster strong relationships with existing customers

  • Establish solid relationships with port customers and new prospective customers as well as various stakeholders to ensure that business of the port is advanced effectively; conduct regular customer interactions; ensure timely and effective resolution of customer concerns; work closely with HOPA team to “quarterback” the customer relationship
  • Represent HOPA within the Hamilton business community and relevant industrial business sectors

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

  • Post-secondary education in business administration, real estate, engineering or other relevant field of study.
  • Demonstrated track record of cultivating strong relationships with customers
  • Demonstrated ability to analyze and understand project financials

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

  • Transportation/shipping industry experience considered an asset
  • Proven negotiation and sales ability in a commercial environment – business or real estate
  • Strong understanding of legal documents and lease clauses
  • Intermediate to advanced skills in MS Word, MS office, Outlook and a property management software program (previous experience with the Salesforce software considered an asset)
  • Valid class “G” driver’s license; access to a vehicle for business use at all times
  • Must be able to work well independently or in a team environment

 Salary, Bonus & Benefits

Starting salary of $60,000-$70,000; commensurate with experience.

HOPA offers a competitive compensation package, including annual bonus program; defined contribution pension plan and health benefits; education support; employee charitable donation matching and more. HOPA offers a hybrid work model, subject to an onboarding period and requirements of the role.

About HOPA:

Recognized as one of Hamilton-Niagara’s Top Employers for 2024, HOPA is a small but mighty team of approximately 65 staff. We are comprised of experts in disciplines ranging from Engineering to Finance, and virtually everything in between. Together we manage Ontario’s largest and most successful port network, and we strive to do our job in a way that protects the environment and enhances our community. Learn more about us:  https://www.hopaports.ca/about-hopa/people-and-careers/

Everyone is welcome

As part of our commitment to inclusivity, diversity, equity and accessibility, our goal is a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome all qualified applicants to apply including individuals with disabilities, those who identify as Black, Indigenous or persons of colour, members of the LGBTQ2S+ community and others. We are happy to honour accommodations at any part of the recruitment process and invite you to let us know how we can help.

To apply for this role, email [email protected]

 We thank all applicants; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

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Renee Bulger, CPA, CGA

Vice President, Finance

Renee assumed the role of Vice President, Finance after having served as Director of Finance since 2023.

Renee joined the Hamilton Port Authority in 2006 as a General Accountant and was promoted to Controller in 2018. She was previously a member of the Board of Directors for the Hamilton Conservation Foundation from 2017 to 2020.

Renee received her Honours Bachelor of Commerce from Laurentian University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant.

Larissa Fenn

Vice President, Corporate Affairs

Larissa Fenn is Vice President, Corporate Affairs at HOPA Ports, leading a team responsible for communications and government relations, sustainability reporting, corporate governance and corporate culture.

Previous positions included communications and public policy roles at the Canadian Bankers Association, Credit Valley Conservation Authority, and the Regional Municipality of Halton.

Larissa holds a B.A.(Hons) in Political Science from Queen’s University. She holds the APR designation from the Canadian Public Relations Society, and completed the Senior Public Sector Leaders program at the University of Western Ontario, Ivey School of Business. Larissa has served as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Royal Botanical Gardens, and as a member of the Policy Council of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce.

Bill Fitzgerald

Vice President, Strategic Development

Bill assumed the role of Vice President, Strategic Development in 2024, after having served as HOPA’s Vice President, Operations since 2008.

Bill joined the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority in July 1995 as Project Engineer. He previously worked with the Regional Municipality of Ottawa’s Transportation Department, as well as for the Toronto Transit Commission and the City of Waterloo.

Bill received a Bachelor of Applied Science, civil engineering / water resources, in 1995 from the University of Waterloo and registered with the Professional Engineers of Ontario in 1997.

Jeremy Dunn

Vice President, Operations

Jeremy assumed the role of Vice President, Operations in 2024 after having served as HOPA’s Commercial Vice President since 2019. Prior to joining HOPA, Jeremy served in successive leadership roles at The Miller Group, one of Canada’s leading transportation construction and infrastructure maintenance companies. Jeremy has managed multiple business groups in the heavy construction, asphalt paving and aggregates sectors driving results through business restructuring, service improvement and strategic growth. In his most recent role, Jeremy served as General Manager of Miller Maintenance, responsible for managing and growing Miller’s highway maintenance business in Ontario.

Previous to The Miller Group, Jeremy held the position of Director of Operations for the Dunn Group of Companies.

Jeremy earned his Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) through Queen’s University. He also holds a Master’s Certificate in Project Management.

Janet Knight

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer for the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority since 2008, Janet joined the HPA in 1998 as Accounting Supervisor and subsequently served as Controller.

Prior to joining the HPA, Janet held the position of Financial Analyst with St. Joseph’s Hospital, as well as various positions, including Marketing Communications/Research Lead with Zeneca Agro. Janet graduated from McMaster University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Commerce. She attained the professional designation of Certified Management Accountant in 1992.

Ian Hamilton

President & CEO

Ian Hamilton is President & CEO of HOPA Ports (Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority). He assumed this role in 2017, after serving as the Port Authority’s Vice President of Business Development and Real Estate since 2008. Ian has been instrumental in developing working waterfronts in Hamilton, Oshawa, and Niagara by attracting new business and private investment, and creating an integrated marine network across Southern Ontario.

Ian possesses more than 25 years of experience in international transportation and logistics in Europe and North America, and has held progressively senior positions in the liner shipping industry, including Transatlantic Trade Director (Europe) for CP Ships and Business Development Manager for Hapag-Lloyd. Ian is Chairperson of the Association of Canadian Port Authorities, and holds positions on various other boards, including: the Chamber of Marine Commerce, the Hamilton Club, and Brigs Youth Sail Training.

Ian holds an MBA from Aston University (UK) and a BSc in business administration and economics from the College of Charleston, South Carolina.