Fairmount Park Conservancy (the Conservancy) is an independent 501(c)(3) organization that champions Philadelphia parks. The Conservancy powers investment and innovative programming to activate, restore, and maintain 10,200 acres of Philadelphia parks, including more than 200 neighborhood parks around the city, as well as historic buildings, monuments, and public art throughout the region.
The next Executive Director will join the Conservancy at an inflection point for the organization, when the value of parks to civic life is widely recognized. In the last decade, the Conservancy has emerged as the go-to organization for city government, major foundations, and community groups for support, activation, and engagement around Philadelphia’s parks.
The next Executive Director will have a sophisticated, nuanced ability to balance between being the executive of an independent nonprofit corporation, and working closely and responsively with the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation, elected officials, local parks advocacy organizations, community groups, and people who are passionate about the city’s parks.
Priorities for the Executive Director within the next year:
– Reintroduce the Conservancy under new leadership to Philadelphia communities, funders, government, and other stakeholders.
– Confirm and then operationalize the Conservancy’s strategic plan.
– Assure the Conservancy has the optimal organizational and staffing structure to advance its mission and strategic goals.
– Continue fundraising for major capital projects and core operations.
– Develop an actionable plan for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
– Forge meaningful, effective relationship with the Board. Confirm and execute a plan for Board development.
Summary of Duties:
– Implement the new strategic plan for the Conservancy, providing leadership to staff and Board regarding vision and priorities for advancing mission and goals.
– With support of senior team, identify and assess future opportunities, risk, ROM, ROI.
– Periodically review and continuously support others to execute their respective roles and responsibilities.
– Nurture a culture of equity, excellence, and team.
– Working with the Sr. Dir. of Development, design fundraising plan to support annual operations and capital projects.
– Motivate and support efforts of volunteer fundraisers within the Board and City’s civic leadership.
– Serve as chief spokesperson and public face of the organization to assure the Conservancy’s visibility.
– Work with the CFO to develop and adhere to the annual budget.
– Nurture a positive, open and collaborative relationship with the Board and its committees.
– Arrange opportunities for board education and engagement.