Director of Parks, Recreation & Public Property
Associated General Contractors Of America, Omaha, NE, United States
The City of Omaha is partnering with Potrero Group in search of our next Director of Parks, Recreation & Public Property. This strategic implementer and leader will guide the Parks and Recreation Department toward its bold goal of becoming a Top 10 Parks City in the United States.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the realization of Omaha’s vision, bridging the gap between ambitious planning and operational excellence
Oversee the planning, development, and maintenance of public parks, facilities, recreational programs, natural areas, public properties, and capital projects throughout Omaha
Manage a $66 million operating budget and a multi-disciplinary team of full-time, part-time, and seasonal staff spanning landscape architecture, urban forestry, golf and aquatics, recreation programming, and public property management
Lead the end-to-end delivery of major capital projects, including the planning and development of a new state-of-the-art sports complex, ensuring work is completed on time and on budget
Cultivate high-level public/private partnerships with the Omaha Parks Foundation, Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, MECA, local sports organizations, philanthropic foundations, and community groups
Champion equitable access to parks, facilities, and programming across all Omaha neighborhoods, with a specific focus on underserved communities
Represent the City at public meetings, City Council sessions, and community forums, and serve on boards and commissions, including the Omaha Parks Foundation and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
Core Competencies and Experiences
Strategic Leadership and Implementation
Extensive administrative and management experience in parks and recreation or a related public sector field, with a city of comparable size or larger
Demonstrated ability to translate bold vision into concrete operational strategies, timelines, and measurable outcomes
Experience developing and implementing strategic plans and master plans that align with broader city goals
Comfortable working closely with elected officials, senior city leadership, and appointed boards and commissions
Operational Excellence
Proven ability to oversee large, complex departments with diverse operational functions across a multi-disciplinary workforce
Strong financial acumen with experience developing and managing multi-million-dollar public sector operating budgets
Track record of modernizing systems, building organizational capacity, and driving a culture of excellence and continuous improvement
Capital Project Expertise
Proven experience managing major capital projects from planning through construction and completion, on time and on budget
Familiarity with the full project lifecycle, including community engagement, design, procurement, construction management, and closeout
Knowledge of bond financing, grant funding, and public/private investment strategies that support large-scale park development
Partnership Coordination and Community Engagement
Track record of cultivating successful public/private partnerships with foundations, boards, philanthropic organizations, and community groups
A visible, approachable leadership style with strong communication skills across government, nonprofit, business, and community sectors
Demonstrated ability to navigate complex environments with professionalism and sound judgment while maintaining trust with elected officials, community advocates, and the public
Bachelor's degree in public administration, parks and recreation management, landscape architecture, or related field; Master's degree preferred
CPRP or CPRE certification preferred
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Key Responsibilities
Lead the realization of Omaha’s vision, bridging the gap between ambitious planning and operational excellence
Oversee the planning, development, and maintenance of public parks, facilities, recreational programs, natural areas, public properties, and capital projects throughout Omaha
Manage a $66 million operating budget and a multi-disciplinary team of full-time, part-time, and seasonal staff spanning landscape architecture, urban forestry, golf and aquatics, recreation programming, and public property management
Lead the end-to-end delivery of major capital projects, including the planning and development of a new state-of-the-art sports complex, ensuring work is completed on time and on budget
Cultivate high-level public/private partnerships with the Omaha Parks Foundation, Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, MECA, local sports organizations, philanthropic foundations, and community groups
Champion equitable access to parks, facilities, and programming across all Omaha neighborhoods, with a specific focus on underserved communities
Represent the City at public meetings, City Council sessions, and community forums, and serve on boards and commissions, including the Omaha Parks Foundation and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
Core Competencies and Experiences
Strategic Leadership and Implementation
Extensive administrative and management experience in parks and recreation or a related public sector field, with a city of comparable size or larger
Demonstrated ability to translate bold vision into concrete operational strategies, timelines, and measurable outcomes
Experience developing and implementing strategic plans and master plans that align with broader city goals
Comfortable working closely with elected officials, senior city leadership, and appointed boards and commissions
Operational Excellence
Proven ability to oversee large, complex departments with diverse operational functions across a multi-disciplinary workforce
Strong financial acumen with experience developing and managing multi-million-dollar public sector operating budgets
Track record of modernizing systems, building organizational capacity, and driving a culture of excellence and continuous improvement
Capital Project Expertise
Proven experience managing major capital projects from planning through construction and completion, on time and on budget
Familiarity with the full project lifecycle, including community engagement, design, procurement, construction management, and closeout
Knowledge of bond financing, grant funding, and public/private investment strategies that support large-scale park development
Partnership Coordination and Community Engagement
Track record of cultivating successful public/private partnerships with foundations, boards, philanthropic organizations, and community groups
A visible, approachable leadership style with strong communication skills across government, nonprofit, business, and community sectors
Demonstrated ability to navigate complex environments with professionalism and sound judgment while maintaining trust with elected officials, community advocates, and the public
Bachelor's degree in public administration, parks and recreation management, landscape architecture, or related field; Master's degree preferred
CPRP or CPRE certification preferred
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