Sr. Director of High Line Network
Friends of the High Line, United States
Job Description
Friends of the High Line seeks a dynamic, impact-oriented professional to join our High Line Network Team as their new Senior Director of the High Line Network. The position leverages FHL’s history and experience to create a larger field of practice along with Network participants and leaders in the industry. They will be responsible for shaping the future vision of the Network and how it becomes realized. Responsible for the day-to-day strategic direction and execution of Network programs and events, the Senior Director will help frame and execute the ongoing goals of the Network through peer learning, research, innovation, and technical assistance. They will also develop the public reach of the Network beyond its members through new strategic partnerships and expanded public communications while maintaining the high standard of programs and convenings currently underway. This position reports to the Chief Program and Engagement Officer and oversees the Network Manager and Coordinator.
What is the High Line Network? A program of the High Line, the Network is a group of infrastructure reuse projects and the people who help them come to life. Members of this network are nonprofit organizations transforming underutilized infrastructure into new urban landscapes, redefining what a park can be. The Network’s mission is to support a community of infrastructure reuse projects in creating vibrant and equitable public spaces that center local communities, build civic connections, support environmental resilience, and foster equitable community development.
Primary Responsibilities
- Direct and shape the vision of the Network, ensuring its alignment with broader organizational priorities.
- Unite the field of infrastructure reuse to jointly advocate for projects and policies that support equitable development and environmental resilience.
- Establish goals for the Network’s learning community and a process for its diversification and expansion.
- Manage the day-to-day strategic direction and execution of Network programs and events.
- Identify and design a long-term research strategy for the Network.
- Develop a long-term strategy for the Network’s public presence, including its website, newsletters, social media channels, and online resources and tools.
- Cultivate, maintain, and deepen strategic relationships with professional organizations, academic institutions, and other field leaders, both for the Network and the High Line.
- Design and implement a partnership strategy to support the execution of a learning curriculum based on the Network’s Community First Toolkit.
- Design and direct planning for member convenings and events, including the biennial symposium.
- Develop and manage the Network budget in coordination with the Chief Program and Engagement Officer, Senior Director of Finance, and other Network staff.
- Continually evaluate Network impact and progress, recommending changes as needed to meet longer-term strategic goals.
- Support efforts to jointly advocate for the infrastructure reuse field.
- Represent the organization in the local and global community, acting as an ambassador for the High Line and the Network.
- Develop and write tools, case studies, public communications, and research to elevate best practices for the infrastructure reuse field.
- Establish goals and metrics in order to identify program success and evaluate progress using surveys, requests for feedback, and other evaluative methods, both for the Network as well as the High Line.
- Contribute to the development of strong proposals, reports, presentations, marketing materials, and other technical writing to support resource development, marketing and communications, and community engagement.
Requirements
Desired experience of a successful candidate may include the following, but candidates will not be screened exclusively based on meeting these qualifications:
- Minimum of 15 years of non-profit and/or public sector work experience in urban planning, public policy, program design, or a related field (may be substituted with equivalent work experience).
- Minimum of five years supervising, managing, and motivating team members on a daily basis.
- Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
- Natural networking ability with measurable success in facilitating cross-organizational discourse and conference planning.
- Demonstrated aptitude in managing a team and providing effective guidance, goal setting, and team management.
- Ability to ensure smooth team operations and effective collaboration, including open communication, team coaching, motivation, and conflict resolution.
- Significant experience and expertise in multi-year, large-scale program strategy, evaluation, and design.
- Superior