Location: Houston, TX
Chief Operating Officer
Salary: $185,000 - $200,000
Description
Memorial Park Conservancy, one of the largest public parks in the U.S., connects people with opportunities for recreation, conservation, and connection. Established in 1924, its 1,500 acres (nearly twice the size of Central Park in New York) and central location – in the heart of Houston – make it distinctive nationally. Memorial Park boasts over 30 miles of natural and surfaced trails in its 600-acre urban wilderness and is home to one of the largest centrally located urban forests in the country.
Each year, over 4 million Houstonians (from over 170 zip codes) visit Memorial Park for community, social interaction, wildlife watching, and recreation. The Seymore Lieberman Exer-Trail is the single most used free public health amenity in the city of Houston, and the most popular running trail in the nation, seeing up to 10,000 runners daily. A recent biological survey identified 79 species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish, as well as 60 species of birds in the Park, along with 267 species of trees, shrubs, and woody vines.
Memorial Park Conservancy seeks a Chief Operating Officer who is an accomplished senior leader and demonstrates a keen understanding of, and passion for, the organization’s unique mission. The ideal candidate will have a background that includes executive-level experience in operations and facilities management, financial management and people leadership. This person must be ready to join with President & CEO, staff, and Board to assist Memorial Park in pursuing its strategic goals through knowledge of and experience with principles, practices and methods of operations and facilities management related to financial management, business process improvement and growing, developing, and managing human capital in a fast-growing organization.
The ideal candidate will have managed facilities that blend hardscape (buildings, infrastructure) with greenspace using principles of conservation and responsible treatment of all resources, from financial to natural to human. This candidate will have experience managing the finances associated with their business operation, looking backward for reporting and forward for growth. Further, experience optimizing systems, tools, and processes for high performance in fast-growth environment would be valuable. Finally, a track record of growing and developing teams for continually improving performance is also required.
This person must desire to be a vital member of a leadership team who support an active volunteer Board and committee structure. The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate the ability to understand and operate effectively within a nonprofit governing environment while also providing leadership in the implementation of best practice management and investment techniques from both the business and nonprofit sectors.
Demonstrated successful experience with budget planning, contract management, and program administration is required. The person must exhibit the ability to manage complex financial and revenue streams in an organization of similar scope and scale as MPC. This individual is a proactive financial leader who understands how to utilize the appropriate management and organizational techniques for the greatest benefit of MPC.
The successful candidate will have extensive knowledge of financial strategy, trends, accounting processes and systems, will possess a basic understanding of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for nonprofit organizations as well as tax and other state and federal laws pertinent to nonprofit organizations and will demonstrate the importance of following best practices in the area of internal controls and fiscal responsibilities.
The ideal candidate will be both a strong and effective leader and a strong listener with an inclusive, team-oriented management style that inspires, empowers, motivates, and develops staff – and holds them accountable. Experience enhancing a culture focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion is important. Experience of successfully leading a large, diverse team is required. Strong candidates will exhibit a highly collaborative and compassionate management approach that values and holds employees accountable for delivery.
The candidate will also have a keen ability to establish and maintain a productive and positive organizational culture with all stakeholders (i.e., staff, partners, members, boards and commissions, government officials, and Park users). A keen focus on visitor experience, visitor and employee safety, and a genuine and authentic connection to nature and the outdoors is required. This individual must be confident, thoughtful, and have the appropriate skills and presence to work in an effective, collegial, and collaborative manner.
Senior management experience of 10 years in the fields of campus or facilities operations management or park operations management that contains depth of experience in managing a diverse workforce of both hourly field workers and managers/director-level employees. Experience meeting workplace safety requirements is also necessary. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required. Bilingual in Spanish is highly desired.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit a current resume and letter of introduction, as soon as possible, to Kittleman & Associates, LLC. Submit your application to Kittleman online at https://apptrkr.com/4278220 (Click the Apply button at the bottom of the page). For more information about Memorial Park Conservancy, visit https://www.memorialparkconservancy.org/
As stewards of Houston’s largest urban park, Memorial Park Conservancy is proud to serve the most diverse city in the nation. We embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion in carrying out our mission to preserve, restore, and enhance Memorial Park for all Houstonians, today and tomorrow. Our organization is strengthened when our staff, board members, partners and volunteers bring their unique voices and perspectives to their work for Memorial Park each day. All qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.