The Park People
Deadline: April 9, 2008
After six years of operation under the leadership of its first Executive Director, The Park People is now seeking an exceptional and well-qualified candidate to maintain the organization's momentum and apply his/her own unique leadership vision to its future. This is a special opportunity to lead an organization that works with a diverse portfolio of partners and funders for the benefit of residents in every corner of the community.
The Park People was founded in 1969 to raise private support for Denver's parks and recreation facilities. Its mission is to "preserve, enhance, and advocate for Denver's parks, recreation resources, open space and urban forest." The organization pursues this mission through the development of capital projects in Denver's public parks, the coordination of Denver's largest and longest-standing community tree planting program, and an ongoing role in engaging residents in public dialogues regarding the current state and future of Denver's parks and recreation system. The organization enjoys a volunteer base of more than 400 dedicated residents of all ages who share The Park People's interest in ensuring that our city's parks, recreation amenities and urban forest are community priorities.
The Executive Director works closely with the Board of Trustees, Executive Committee, Standing Committees, and a diverse array of community stakeholders (both public and private) to advance The Park People's mission. He/she supervises a Program Manager, while overseeing a large and engaged group of volunteers. The position is highly visible, requiring regular interaction with kindred organizations, public officials, the media, neighborhood organizations, and the general public. The Executive Director is responsible for an annual operating budget of $350,000.
The Executive Director is responsible for all management, fundraising and administrative tasks associated with advancing The Park People's mission and elevating its impact across the community.
A significant portion of the Executive Director's time and energy is dedicated to The Park People's flagship community program, Denver Digs Trees. This program provides low-cost trees for Denver residents to plant along the street, engages neighborhood groups in beautifying their community, and benefits other community partners in the greening of residential sites across Denver. On average, more than 2,500 trees are distributed and planted in Denver through the street tree program and annual tree sale. A full-time Program Manager oversees the day-to-day logistical and administrative aspects of the program, with the Executive Director playing a key strategic and leadership role in expanding the program's reach and raising financial support to ensure its sustainability.
Another important component of The Park People's activities is the oversight of the Gates Tennis Center. Since 1975, The Park People has been responsible for managing the operations of the Gates Tennis Center - the state's largest public tennis facility. This year, the Center will offer the community the use of four newly upgraded courts and a world-class clubhouse - the results of a three-year, $4.7 million campaign which has recently been concluded. The responsibility over the Gates Tennis Center requires that the Executive Director work directly with the concessionaires of the Center (who are under contract) to ensure that the facility is maintained at the highest levels, and that programming is executed in a manner that ensures access and inclusiveness for all. This includes interfacing with the tenants of the clubhouse (Colorado Tennis Association), and taking ultimate responsibility for the condition and operation of the tennis facility.
The Park People manages a fund that helps cover maintenance costs, collects a concession fee to build this fund, and also collects a monthly lease, which supports the management and care of the Center. On a day-to-day basis, the Executive Director is not expected to take a hands-on approach to tennis programming. Rather, the Executive Director serves as the primary point of contact for the concessionaire, tenant, and the City's parks and recreation department on matters concerning the operation and maintenance of the Center. This includes ensuring adherence to all relevant contracts pertaining to The Park People's oversight responsibilities at the Center.
Fund-raising
* Explore strategies for long-term/sustained operational and program support.
* Maintain and cultivate strong relationships with existing donors and funding entities.
* Research and identify potential new funding sources (both private and public) for general operations, programs, and - when necessary - capital projects.
* Prepare grant applications.
* Administer all grants and other funding mechanisms to ensure compliance with contracts, sponsorship benefit fulfillment, agreements and all other requirements as applicable.
* Plan and administer annual individual giving campaigns.
* Maintain accurate donor records.
* Work with leadership of the Board to ensure 100% giving participation among Trustees.
* As required, develop, plan and implement fundraising events.
* Ensure ongoing communication with donors through newsletters, reports, and other appropriate communications vehicles.
Public Relations and Outreach
* Foster or continue partnerships with volunteers, neighborhood organizations, government and quasi-government entities, and other non-profits to implement educational programs, volunteer trainings, public forums and other events.
* Promote The Park People's projects, programs and initiatives through contact with the media, including writing media releases and working with contract public relations specialists (as needed) to ensure visibility of the organization in the community.
* Update publicity pieces and develop new pieces as needed.
Program Development
* Identify opportunities for The Park People to lead public discourse around critical parks and recreation topics.
* Cultivate existing volunteer relationships, and implement strategies for volunteer recruitment and retention.
* Work with external partners to identify and implement other volunteer opportunities and training programs consistent with The Park People's mission.
* Work with partners to identify one-time projects where The Park People's involvement will be of significant added value.
Denver Digs Trees Program
* Create and oversee methods of measuring the community impact of the program, and implement program enhancements as opportunities for growth are identified.
* Cultivate opportunities for large scale, focused planting projects in neighborhoods of need.
* Work with private nurseries, arborists, and relevant city departments to determine suitable tree species.
* Develop program materials, working with graphic designers, translation firms and content experts.
* Create and execute marketing and outreach strategy to promote participation in the program, particularly in those neighborhoods most in need.
* Plan and implement volunteer training programs.
* Coordinate all logistics for tree deliveries and distribution sites.
Organizational Management and Development
* Ensure that all necessary documentation and filings are completed to maintain the Corporation's 501(c)(3) status, including quarterly tax filings, adherence to all laws governing tax exempt entities, and cooperation with accounting and auditing firms to ensure the accuracy and timely reporting on all financial documents.
* Oversee all day-to-day office and personnel operations.
* Maintain well-organized file system.
* Ensure accurate bookkeeping and financial reporting.
* Complete all necessary financial paperwork for tax and auditing purposes, including accounting for all financial transactions and production of budget statements.
Board Support
* Work on methods of board development, assessing the board's effectiveness, and - when appropriate- recruiting additional board members to fill strategic needs.
* Work to include all Trustees in fundraising, operational and programmatic goals and objectives reflecting The Park People mission.
* Schedule all board meetings and ensure timely distribution of all relevant materials (including meeting minutes, financial updates, publicity/newsletter drafts, etc.).
* Organize regular meetings of all Standing Committees (as rendered appropriate).
* Work with the President to prepare the monthly agenda for the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee meetings.
Qualifications
* Experience in a relevant field (non-profit management, business, public/environmental policy, etc.), with at least 5 years in a leadership position.
* Demonstrated experience and success in fundraising in multiple arenas (foundation, corporate, individual, major gifts, etc.).
* Experience in public relations, marketing, administration, program development, strategic planning and organizational development is strongly preferred.
* Demonstrated commitment to The Park People's mission and support for the City's parks and recreation facilities.
* Demonstrated experience in working with a governing board and other volunteers.
* Ability to lead a team and work on several projects at the same time.
* Ability to communicate effectively and develop consensus among team members.
* Ability to establish and manage a growing organization and maintain effective operations.
* Knowledge of Denver's park system.
* Must be computer literate, and familiar with Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, Access, PowerPoint), QuickBooks financial software, and other applications relevant to carrying out daily administrative and programmatic responsibilities.
* Bachelor's degree required, Master's Degree preferred.
Successful candidates will have exceptional written and oral communication skills, and demonstrate his/her passion for- and knowledge of- the mission of The Park People. The Park People does not discriminate with regard to race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation and encourages applicants from all backgrounds.
Please do not call or email The Park People offices. Qualified professionals should apply for the position by sending cover letter, resume and salary requirements to Carolyn McCormick.
