Senior Coast Director, Accident Prevention and Training Strategy

ABOUT PMA

Put your experience and talents to work in a role with a unique company - the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA). PMA is a non-profit mutual benefit corporation that serves as a multi-employer collective bargaining agent for approximately 75 shipping lines, stevedore companies and marine terminal operators at California, Oregon and Washington ports.

West Coast port operations (including non-containerized cargo such as bulk and autos) now support million jobs and contribute percent of the GDP.

PMA’s primary purpose is to negotiate and administer labor contracts with the International Longshore & Warehouse Union on behalf of the Association’s member companies, as well as administrating payroll and certain benefits.

Our headquarters and administrative office is located in San Francisco, California, with area offices in Southern California (Long Beach and satellite offices in San Diego and Port Hueneme) and the Pacific Northwest (Portland, Oregon and Seattle and Tacoma, Washington) in addition to Northern California (Oakland).

Summary :

The Senior Coast Director, Accident Prevention & Training Strategy, is a key senior leadership role responsible for the development and implementation of the organization’s collective bargaining strategy for safety and training.

Reporting to the COO, this position chairs or co-chairs the PCMSC Coast Safety Committee and provides leadership on Coast-wide safety and training strategies.

The role includes supervising accident prevention and training functions while having matrix authority over area training activities.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated high integrity, strong leadership, excellent communication skills, and deep knowledge of the ILWU-PMA Collective Bargaining Agreement, as well as PMA rules and labor practices.

The ability to communicate effectively with senior leaders, including association members, ILWU leadership, government agencies, and the PMA Coast Steering Committee (CSC), is essential.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities :

• Lead the development of Coast-wide training, safety, and accident prevention strategies, which are integral to collective bargaining.
• Serve as the lead negotiator for area safety contracts within the bargaining process.
• Collaborate with Coast Employer representatives on key safety issues and negotiate solutions with labor and government officials as needed.
• Work with the CSC, Coast Labor Relations Committee (CLRC), and area labor relations teams to create updated Coast-wide training plans, incorporating contractual elements and directives.
• Analyze current training programs for clerks and foremen to identify areas for improvement.
• Maintain strong collaboration with other PMA functions (Training, Accounting, etc.) to ensure a consistent approach to training, safety, and accident prevention.
• Oversee the Coast-wide implementation of safety, training, and accident prevention policies.
• Regularly evaluate Coast training content and methods to align with updated standards.
• Manage the development of training materials, including manuals, visual aids, and testing protocols.
• Approve annual budgets for Coast Training and Accident Prevention, and review area TAPD budgets.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

• Extensive knowledge of ILWU-PMA agreements and the Pacific Coast Maritime Safety Code.
• Ability to manage detailed work while maintaining a focus on larger strategic goals.
• Proven success in collective bargaining, with the ability to handle multiple complex issues efficiently.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, particularly when interacting with union leaders, industry professionals, and government entities.
• Ability to handle sensitive situations with diplomacy, sound judgment, and discretion.
• Expertise in supervising staff, managing deadlines, and streamlining complex tasks.
• Proficiency in analyzing collective bargaining agreements, financial reports, and legal documents.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to maintain accurate records and meet critical deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to build high-performing teams and foster collaboration.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving and prioritization.

Supervision :

Coast Director of Training Strategy, Assistant Coast Director, Accident Prevention

Education and Experience :

• A Bachelor’s or MBA degree from an accredited institution is preferred.
• At least 20 years of experience in collective bargaining, contract interpretation, and maritime operations.
• Experience in port operations, training, and safety is highly desirable.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment combines an office setting with some travel outside of the office area to various ports, with visits to docks, terminals, and ships.

PMA offers a fun, flexible, professional, and collaborative environment. This position requires in-person meetings with the union and employers with onsite presence in the office.

This role may work two days from home per month as needed.

WORK LOCATION

This position can work from one of these offices :

Oakland Office - 475 14th Street, Suite 300, Oakland, California 94612-1937

Long Beach Office - 1 World Trade Center 1700, Long Beach, California 90831

Tacoma Office -3402 Lincoln Ave, Tacoma, Washington 98421

Portland Office - 101 Southwest Main Street, Suite 330, Portland, Oregon

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

PMA offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits : Healthcare provided under the ILWU-PMA Welfare Plan (with no employee premiums and low out of pocket exposure).

PMA offers a defined contribution plan (401K) with a competitive discretionary employer match that equals 100 % of the first 5% and 50% of the next 10% of eligible pre-tax contributions.

In addition, PMA provides tuition reimbursement, company-paid training conferences, and certifications. Additional Compensation Auto allowance and discretionary bonus.

EEO STATEMENT

PMA is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.