Volunteer Program Director, Partnerships for Parks

POSITION SUMMARY  

The Volunteer program director is responsible for centrally overseeing the It’s My Park (IMP) program, a hands-on beautification initiative that brings people together to make meaningful improvements in local green space. PfP engages community, corporate, and non-profit partners to produce approximately 1400 IMP projects annually with 28,000 volunteers. The director is responsible for a team of six full time permanent employees and up to three seasonal employees, including two direct reports, who handle engagement, project planning and logistics, on-site project management, supply and material purchasing and distribution, and program development and procedures. The director works collaboratively with the other PfP directors to lead program-wide goal setting and ensure synergy, advances strategic priorities related to It’s My Park and other volunteer initiatives, ensures consistency and cohesion in program execution, develops standard operating procedures and new program innovations, contributes to fundraising and sponsorship strategy, informs data collection and management, and provides hands-on and administrative support to the Volunteer team. The director coordinates across CPF and NYC Parks, as well as with external partners. 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Under general direction, with latitude for the exercise of independent initiative and judgment, perform difficult and responsible supervisory, analytic, and specialized administrative and management work.
• Work cross collaboratively with divisions within PfP, CPF and NYC Parks staff to cohesively plan and execute It’s My Park and other volunteer engagement and recognition activities ensuring consistent and standardized practices
• Lead a team of full time and seasonal staff, providing vision, timelines, goals and expectations 

• Create and manage program budgets, expenses, purchasing, and revenue tracking related to It’s My Park and other volunteer initiatives
• Oversee the coordination of citywide volunteer events 
• Develop, maintain, and consistently evaluate program processes and policies. Take initiative to suggest optimizations as necessary. 
• Work with and advise other divisions and peer organizations on volunteer engagement
• Manage critical sponsorship and fundraising efforts in coordination with CPF to ensure high quality engagement and revenue goals are met
• Document and evaluate program success and develop new program initiatives
• In coordination with PfP data and evaluation coordinator, manage data tracking in CRM system, create reports and presentations on program data
• Manage program promotion to increase volunteer participation and build new partnerships by use of marketing materials and web event listings in coordination with PfP, CPF, and Parks press, marketing and digital media teams
• Lead and support PfP, CPF and Parks priority programs and initiatives as directed, including program operations and events/projects that advance strategic priorities
• Participate in events and projects on nights and weekends in addition to regular work hours

QUALIFICATIONS 

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and six years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; Master’s degree preferred.
• Strong supervisory experience
• Meticulous attention to detail and process, thoroughness, and task focus while managing multiple tasks under pressure and within firm deadlines in a fast-paced environment; excellent project management skills
• Highly collaborative, motivated, resilient, flexible, and proactive; ability to work independently with high degree of initiative, organization, and follow-through
• Comfortable dealing with financial, confidential, and sensitive information
• Experience with Partnerships for Parks, public-private partnerships and/or in the park management sector
• Excellent management, administrative, and communication skills including the ability to comprehend and communicate complex and nuanced information; excellent people skills
• Excellent data analysis and evaluation skills, great attention to detail
• Fundraising and/or corporate sponsorship experience
• Experience creating and executing special events and volunteer engagement programs
• Knowledge of agency operations and volunteer management
• Valid New York State driver license
• Available to work evenings and weekends
• Familiarity with Google Suite, Salesforce or other CRM system is a plus

ABOUT CITY PARKS FOUNDATION

At City Parks Foundation (CPF), we are dedicated to invigorating and transforming New York City parks into dynamic, vibrant centers of urban life through arts, environmental education, sports, and community building programs for all New Yorkers. Our ethos is simple: we believe thriving parks mean thriving communities.

Community engagement includes Partnerships for Parks, a public-private program of City Parks Foundation and NYC Parks, which supports and champions a growing network of community leaders who care and advocate for the transformation of our neighborhood parks and the Parks and Open Space Partners-NYC coalition of conservancies and alliances. We also administer the NYC Green Fund, a regranting program for parks and open space nonprofits and grassroots organizations.

We produce SummerStage, the iconic free, outdoor performing arts festival in NYC, presenting world-class artists from across the globe and our own neighborhoods on our mainstage in Central Park and in local parks in all five boroughs, and our Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre and roving PuppetMobile present marionette puppet theater throughout New York City.

We connect youngsters to nature in the urban environment through progressive, experiential teaching. Using parks as classrooms, we provide learning experiences and hands-on activities in urban forests, coastal areas, and gardens.

Free golf, tennis, track & field, soccer, and fitness programs bring high-quality instruction and equipment into areas where few organized athletic opportunities exist. We offer leveled training, year-round scholarship coaching, and special pro events.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. City Parks Foundation does not offer visa sponsorship.