The Opportunity

Reporting to the President and Park Administrator, the Chief of Park Operations & Capital Planning will be a key member of the Alliance senior leadership team with overall responsibility for the strategic and operational stewardship of the park. The incoming leader will oversee the Alliance’s plan for implementing $150M of capital improvement projects to advance the development of the park’s 585 acre landscape , 350 acres of natural areas in Brooklyn’s only remaining forest, the preservation of historic properties, and the modernization of building infrastructure. Working in collaboration with the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, this leadership role will shape the planning, standard of care, and management of the park’s landscape and facilities.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a strategic, operationally adept and engaged hands-on leader with a proven track record in capital planning and development, guiding the long-term stewardship of property assets in public spaces, and the expert management of facilities, grounds and maintenance operations. The ideal candidate should have a strong understanding of ecological resources in expansive public landscapes, sustainable design, and environmental stewardship. These competencies should additionally be complemented by a commitment to and appreciation for public green space, landscape management, and the vital role that parks play in New York civic and community life.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership, Vision & Execution

• As a trusted thought partner and advisor to the President and Park Administrator, set the vision for how the park’s landscape, natural resources, facilities and buildings are planned, developed and maintained - ensuring that they advance the founding and evolving vision for the park and the priorities established in the organization’s Strategic Plan.
• Contribute to organization-wide planning, decision-making, and policies that support a forward-looking vision that elevates the park as a world class public green space.
• Serve as the standard bearer of the initial historic intent and design of Prospect Park - embracing the vitality of the natural landscape, historical restoration and preservation, and promoting its significance to staff, stakeholders, and the public.

Operational Excellence & Team Management

• Collaborate with department leads to develop a comprehensive operational plan that prioritizes excellence and accountability. Work in partnership with NYC Parks to ensure high quality maintenance and operations and the development and restoration of the park’s essential assets, including the woodlands, watercourse, horticulture, buildings and facility infrastructure, recreational venues, athletic fields, and public amenities.
• Ensure that operations across the park’s landscape, recreational facilities, and buildings meet the highest standards for safety, risk management, reliability, and quality user experience.
• Own the planning and execution for the integration of sustainability, biodiversity, climate resilience, and ecological preservation into all aspects of park operations.
• Lead with vision and integrity inspiring and developing a high-performing, multidisciplinary team of approximately seventy-five (75) core staff, seasonal workers, and interns.
• Leverage best practices in park management and drive a culture of service, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement across operations teams.

Capital Planning, Design & Construction

• Oversee the planning, funding, design and construction of $150M in capital projects of varying scale and complexity. This includes new features to the landscape, historic restorations, infrastructure upgrades, and resiliency initiatives.
• Leverage the technical expertise of the internal teams, including architectural planning, design and construction, landscape management, maintenance and operations, and facilities to set and support the design vision and standards for all capital projects. Coordinate these initiatives with NYC Parks, contracted vendors and consultants.
• Ensure that all building and landscape projects prioritize design excellence, plans for near and long-term maintenance requirements, fiscal responsibility, and environmental sustainability.
• In partnership with the City of New York, funders, internal and external stakeholders ensure that capital projects balance the historic design intent of the park with the organization’s strategic goals and reflect the diverse and evolving needs of the community. Integrate equity, sustainability, resilience, and life-cycle cost analysis into all capital planning and decision-making.

Fiscal Stewardship, Asset & Resource Management

• In partnership with the Alliance’s Chief Financial & Administrative Officer oversee the planning, budgeting, and fiscal forecasting of all capital initiatives and park operating expenses.
• Use data and performance analytics to inform long-term asset management strategies and resource allocation for the park’s natural resources, infrastructure, and facilities including plans for the near and long-term investments that will be required to address deferred maintenance priorities.
• Oversee the planning and implementation of advanced cartography and other technologies such as geographic information systems (GIS), asset mapping, and interactive displays to aid in the management of property and asset lifecycle, park planning, maintenance forecasting, utility and infrastructure management.

Stakeholder, Public & Interagency Collaboration

• Navigate and effectively manage the public/private partnership with NYC Parks and other city agencies to optimize park operations and the enhancement of environmental and other resources serving the community.
• Establish a trusted partnership with community stakeholders to gain their alignment and support for the priorities and plans to advance the park’s operations, buildings, landscape, and programs.
• Serve as a key liaison to the Alliance’s “State of the Park” Committee of the Board which meets with leadership to review and provide input about plans for capital improvements and other park operational initiatives.
• Represent the Alliance to the broader communities of practice for landscape architecture/design and urban park management.

Candidate Profile

• The ability to craft a strategic vision for the park’s landscape, capital development projects and infrastructure, and balance this with a disciplined, hands-on operational approach - establishing clear direction, setting high performance expectations, and driving measurable impact.
• An appreciation for integrating urban planning, landscape architecture, ecological management, and environmental sustainability into a cohesive strategy to advance park operations.
• A strategic, data informed and practical approach to problem solving and decision-making.
• Demonstrated expertise in at least one or more of the following areas: park management, capital planning and project execution, facilities operations, landscape management, and historic preservation.
• Fluency with systems and technologies that elevate planning and operations in the areas of asset management, life-cycle cost analysis, and infrastructure sustainability.
• Keen business acumen to drive strategic decision-making, ensure financial sustainability, and maximize operational efficiency across all park functions.
• An engaging relationship builder able to consistently gain the trust and confidence of board members, internal staff, city partner agencies, funders and supporters of the park, and community stakeholders.
• A natural ability to inspire and rally teams around a shared vision to guide the current and future operations of the park.
• The incoming leader should possess the right balance of emotional intelligence, humility and a sense of humor, and embrace a culture of inclusivity and operational excellence.

Experience and Education

• Fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible leadership experience of which at least ten (10) were in an executive role overseeing operations and/or capital planning and development in one or more of the following settings: a park with an expansive natural landscape, university campus, museum, botanic garden, public venue with diverse facility operations, or other comparable public or nonprofit environment.
• Demonstrated success optimizing large-scale operations across multiple sites serving the public and overseeing capital projects at scale from design through construction including prioritization of sustainable and resilient landscapes and effective project/cost management.
• Although not required, an advanced degree in Urban Planning, Landscape or Building Architecture, Construction Management, Environmental Conservation, or related field is an asset.

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range is $200K - $250K. To be considered at the top of the range, candidates must demonstrate experience, success and proficiency across all key areas and requirements of the position. The Alliance additionally offers a competitive benefit program.

Prospect Park Alliance is an equal opportunity employer and a diverse and inclusive workplace. As part of its commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace, the Alliance encourages applications for this senior leadership opportunity from members of underrepresented groups as well as those who share this commitment.

The Alliance has retained ACEUM Advisors & Search to conduct this leadership search. ACEUM is an HR Advisory, Executive Search and Organizational Consulting Firm working exclusively with social impact, nonprofit and healthcare organizations. Ira Machowsky, CEO and Heather Bivens, Senior Executive Search Consultant are leading this search.