Executive Director of Franklin Park

Overview

This is a provisional appointment.

The City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department is seeking a highly-motivated individual to play a leading role in management of Franklin Park, Boston’s largest City-owned park and the jewel of the Olmsted-designed Emerald Necklace park system. The Executive Director of Franklin Park, envisioned through the Franklin Park Action Plan, will lead and implement improvements in park management and set the course for a new chapter in the City of Boston’s investment in and care for this beloved and essential property.

Under the supervision of the Parks Commissioner, or their designee, serves as the coordinator and point of contact for all activities and operations in Franklin Park.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates all management and operations activities in Franklin Park in alignment with City priorities and Franklin Park plans, including the Franklin Park Action Plan.
• Operates with a deep understanding of the natural and cultural history of the park including its value to indigenous communities, status as an Olmsted designed landmark, and its legacy of community stewardship in response to City disinvestment.
• Sets goals for park management and operations improvements, tracks progress, and issues reports for internal and external communications.
• Oversees the co-creation and implementation of a park management and operations plan with City, community, and in-park tenants and operators.
• Establishes management protocols and ensures compliance with shared policies and procedures by all entities operating within the park on a regular basis or for special events.
• Builds partnerships with community organizations and leaders to sustain the community’s critical role in park stewardship.
• Works with and facilitates effective communication with community groups.
• Establishes shared operational agreements with park operators and tenants and serves as the key contact for ensuring compliance with the agreements.
• Coordinates the calendar of events at Franklin Park and ensures communication across entities to support event preparation, execution and restoration.
• Establishes programs that support visitor services and procures and oversees contracted services for outside operational support in coordination with other BPRD divisions.
• Strengthens daily and special event management at the park by establishing procedures for event operations specific to Franklin Park and in coordination with other BPRD divisions.
• Serves as the point of contact for volunteer coordination in partnership with non-profit partners.
• Interfaces across municipal and state agencies and authorities, as well as nonprofit and institutional stakeholders, as necessary, on issues regarding Franklin Park. Works directly with other City department personnel, elected officials, not-for-profit organizations, community groups, and State and Federal agencies.
• Supports fundraising and grant-writing efforts by park partners and contributes to City-led funding initiatives.
• Collaborates with other BPRD divisions around park maintenance, capital improvements, recreational programs, permitting, business operations, marketing and communications, and park safety.
• Understands and coordinates activity (maintenance, capital, volunteer) around landscape and ecological management across all landscape areas in the park. Ensures efficiency in resource sharing across management entities, compatible maintenance strategies in adjacent management areas, and effective deployment of staff, volunteer, partner group, or contractor time towards meeting ecological management goals.
• Performs related work as required by the job.
  
  

Minimum Entrance Qualifications

• Minimum of five (5) years experience in park management and operations, natural resource management, public garden or arboreta management, or similar.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related preferred.
• Proven track-record of identifying, defining, negotiating, and delivering on complex cross-agency / multi-party programs or agreements.
• Team-player, willing to collaborate on all tasks required for maintaining the highest standards of management and operations, programs, stewardship, and communications.
• Excellent verbal, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated leadership and entrepreneurial skills, the ability to leverage resources and partnerships, and the vision to build on the momentum sparked through the Franklin Park Action Plan process and recommendations.
• Has experience working with community organizations and a commitment to valuing diverse voices and perspectives.
• Excellent organizational, planning and communication skills.
• Must have and maintain a valid Massachusetts Drivers License.
• CORI check required
  
  

Boston Residency Required

Terms:

Union/Salary Plan/Grade: Non-Union/MM2-9

Hours Per Week: 35