Overview

Gowanus Canal Conservancy is hiring a Programs & Operations Director who will work as part of the GCC leadership team to guide implementation of our strategic plan through high impact programming and operations. This position will be responsible for facilitating strategic alignment across the organization, managing education and youth program teams, working with the leadership team to create, maintain, and oversee organizational systems and processes, and increasing and sustaining programmatic revenue.

Position Responsibilities

Support and Align Vision, Strategy, Development and Evaluation Across Organization 

  • Guide implementation of GCC’s Theory of Change, progress toward organizational outcomes, and measuring & communicating success
  • Develop and implement programmatic strategies that will maximize the synergies and outcomes across the organization
  • Support staff in developing and reaching organizational objectives and measuring outcomes in alignment with organizational strategic plan
  • Support staff in codifying program policies and procedures 
  • Help facilitate team collaboration and decision-making
  • Coordinate program outcomes reporting for annual reporting 
  • Coordinate external programmatic communications with Communications and Outreach Senior Manager 
  • Collaborate and coordinate with Board members and committees

Oversee high-impact Education and Youth programming

  • Oversee planning, development, implementation and evaluation for all K-12 and youth programs 
  • Directly supervise the Education Senior Manager and Youth Programs Senior Manager
  • Support program staff in development and management of annual program budgets
  • Support program staff in managing partner involvement, including teachers, agencies organizations and funders
  • Work with Landscape Director to coordinate program site needs for Education and Youth programs and participate in site planning for long term educational facilities at Salt Lot
  • Develop and maintain strategic partnerships and relationships
  • Network with colleagues in peer organizations to share best practices and resources 

Organizational Operations

  • Work with the leadership team to create, maintain, and oversee systems and processes that ensure effective organizational management
  • Work with the Executive Director to support organizational administration, including financial reporting, insurance, compliance and additional matters as needed.
  • Lead planning and implementation of Annual Open House 
  • Support planning and implementation for special events, including Spring Benefit 

Fundraising and Grant Management

  • Work with leadership team to plan and manage organizational budget and fundraising
  • Increase and sustain programmatic grant revenue
  • Develop programmatic grant proposals and manage grant admin and reporting
  • Manage applications, contracting, invoicing, and reporting for City discretionary grants
  • Manage contract commitments and expenditures to ensure consistency with budgeting.
  • Support other staff in developing grant proposals 
  • Support Development Director and Executive Director in managing funder relationships

Preferred Qualifications 

  • At least 5 years experience in non-profit programming, operations or management
  • Demonstrated thought leadership in the urban environmental field 
  • Demonstrated ability to take initiative, think creatively and collaborate
  • Ability to manage, collaborate with and mentor other staff and supportively lead staff in carrying out programmatic vision 
  • Experience and interest in working with diverse communities and teams
  • Experience with grant writing and management
  • Excellent writing, presentation and communication skills 
  • Excellent organizational and project management skills
  • Computer skills, including Microsoft Office, Google Suite. Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite and Salesforce is a plus.

Physical Requirements 

  • Ability to talk, hear, sit, stand, and walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms
  • Communicating information; reading and typing; using video conferencing

Schedule: This is a full-time, salaried position, beginning in summer 2024, 40 hours per week, and may require occasional evenings and weekends. The role is primarily in person at the GCC office in Gowanus, with some flexibility for hybrid work. 

Gowanus Canal Conservancy is a community-based non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating the development of a resilient, vibrant, open space network centered on the Gowanus Canal through activating and empowering community stewardship of the Gowanus Watershed.  

Gowanus Canal Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer and encourages candidates of all racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds to apply. 

GCC strongly recommends that employees stay up-to-date with the COVID-19 vaccine as recommended by the CDC.