View all jobs
Program Director - Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA, United StatesAt TPL, we're a team of outdoor advocates who believe in connecting everyone to the outdoors. As an ethos, we believe access to the outdoors is a fundamental human need and essential to our health and well-being. We're committed to creating more places that bring us outside—parks, trails, playgrounds, and public lands—and making them available and welcoming to everyone, everywhere, regardless of ZIP code. We also understand that land has meaning; it tells the story of our history. That's why, through our Black History and Culture initiative, we're working to preserve sites that more fully represent the Black American experience; and we're an ally and partner to Tribal and Indigenous communities, working in partnership to reconnect them with their ancestral lands.
One hundred million people, including 28 million children, don't have nearby access to a park within ten minutes of their home. We're determined to change this outdoor equity gap–and as a result, nine million people and counting now have access because of our work. We have miles to go and a plan to get there. We're inclusive change-makers who believe in connecting everyone to the outdoors. We inspire by paving the way forward and strengthening our connection to nature. Join us!
Position Summary:
The Program Director leads the Pennsylvania Community Schoolyards initiative as well as the development of its Parks and Trails initiatives. The Program Director is responsible for working with the Pennsylvania State Director, the Pennsylvania Program and Philanthropy team, donors and partners to develop the overall vision and implementation of these initiatives. Implementation of
these initiatives require the Program Director to: develop and cultivate key working partnerships; lead the creation and management of a diverse range of projects; secure public and private funding for program and project launches and operations; supervise a team of four staff; and advance equity, social justice, and nature access through TPL’s on-the-ground projects policy change, and increased funding. The Director works closely with key staff from Philanthropy, Marketing, Federal Affairs, Finance, Parks for People (and associated national programs) and the Mission Services to ensure alignment and coordination of the program with the wider goals of the organization.
Essential Functions:
Trust for Public Land is a hybrid work environment, and Pennsylvania will be the required location for this candidate. Candidate must also have the ability to participate in in-person meetings frequently in Philadelphia. As a full-time employee, you will be eligible for the Trust for Public Land’s comprehensive benefits program which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, vacation and sick pay plus holidays, a year end office closure, and a 403(b)-retirement plan, currently with up to a 7% company match. We offer competitive salaries commensurate with experience; the anticipated hiring range for this position is $111,000-$120,000.
Trust for Public Land’s active goal is to be an inclusive and equitable place to work and build community. As the organization actively works to eliminate racial and other disparities it welcomes candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skillsets. We are open to the possibility that a great candidate for this job may not precisely meet all the above criteria; if you believe you are the right person for this job and can persuasively make that case, we encourage you to apply.
One hundred million people, including 28 million children, don't have nearby access to a park within ten minutes of their home. We're determined to change this outdoor equity gap–and as a result, nine million people and counting now have access because of our work. We have miles to go and a plan to get there. We're inclusive change-makers who believe in connecting everyone to the outdoors. We inspire by paving the way forward and strengthening our connection to nature. Join us!
Position Summary:
The Program Director leads the Pennsylvania Community Schoolyards initiative as well as the development of its Parks and Trails initiatives. The Program Director is responsible for working with the Pennsylvania State Director, the Pennsylvania Program and Philanthropy team, donors and partners to develop the overall vision and implementation of these initiatives. Implementation of
these initiatives require the Program Director to: develop and cultivate key working partnerships; lead the creation and management of a diverse range of projects; secure public and private funding for program and project launches and operations; supervise a team of four staff; and advance equity, social justice, and nature access through TPL’s on-the-ground projects policy change, and increased funding. The Director works closely with key staff from Philanthropy, Marketing, Federal Affairs, Finance, Parks for People (and associated national programs) and the Mission Services to ensure alignment and coordination of the program with the wider goals of the organization.
Essential Functions:
- Responsible for program planning and visioning, program development and design, budgeting, and ensuring the program aligns with organizational priorities related to our mission.
- Identify, develop and cultivate high-level partnerships and key relationships with political, public agency, non-governmental organizations, civic leaders, funders and other partners around parks, schoolyards, green infrastructure, and impacts of our work on public spaces.
- Collaborate with the PA State Director, TPL strategy leads, and other colleagues to cultivate new opportunities to expand existing programs and establish new programs to deliver mission
- In close cooperation with the PA State Director, the PA Philanthropy team, and other colleagues, secure funding for mission delivery. This will include communications with donors, development of fundraising materials, public grant applications, and other activities.
- Responsible for aligning the initiatives with the strategic plan and serve as an effective collaborator within the matrix structure of the organization to bring national expertise and resources to Pennsylvania program.
- Support the team on design and community engagement processes that ensure equity in participation and that all voices are heard and input is integrated into plans, designs, construction and stewardship.
- Primary responsibility for program design and improvement, either directly or by supervision of staff and/or consultants, for local governmental, community and public relations; and in conjunction with the PA State Director and Marketing, for local media relations related to the parks program.
- Proven ability to manage complex projects, programs, and budgets and to create a strategic and coherent vision for long-term leadership in building and/or renovating parks, trails, schoolyards, and public spaces.
- Familiarity with urban planning, particularly park/public planning, landscape architecture and capital improvements.
- Familiarity with advocacy and government relations needed to impact policy and funding.
- Excellent leadership, meeting facilitation, collaboration, public speaking and communication skills.
- Experience in working, collaborating and negotiating with community leaders, agency staff, elected officials, and local media to promote and implement successful projects.
- Possesses an entrepreneurial spirit, initiative, energy, the capacity to lead, mentor and inspire others, and the capacity to be a collaborator and a team player, with common sense and resiliency.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in urban planning, landscape architecture, engineering, community development, construction administration and project management.
- Minimum 5 years related experience.
- Willingness to travel and attend evening meetings.
- Computer Proficiency: Microsoft Office, Excel, Teams and familiarity with geographic information systems (GIS) and sophisticated spatial and data analysis.
- Bilingual is a plus.
- Strong commitment to TPL’s shared values (Belonging, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Hope) to effectively work across the organization.
Trust for Public Land is a hybrid work environment, and Pennsylvania will be the required location for this candidate. Candidate must also have the ability to participate in in-person meetings frequently in Philadelphia. As a full-time employee, you will be eligible for the Trust for Public Land’s comprehensive benefits program which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, vacation and sick pay plus holidays, a year end office closure, and a 403(b)-retirement plan, currently with up to a 7% company match. We offer competitive salaries commensurate with experience; the anticipated hiring range for this position is $111,000-$120,000.
Trust for Public Land’s active goal is to be an inclusive and equitable place to work and build community. As the organization actively works to eliminate racial and other disparities it welcomes candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skillsets. We are open to the possibility that a great candidate for this job may not precisely meet all the above criteria; if you believe you are the right person for this job and can persuasively make that case, we encourage you to apply.
www.tpl.org/careers