Director, Public Realm Operations - Downtown Seattle Association : Job Details

Position

Director, Public Realm Operations

Department

Public Area Management

Reporting Relationship

VP, Public Realm and Ambassador Operations

Status

Full-time; Exempt, 40 hours a week – varied work schedule

Overview

The Downtown Seattle Association (DSA)/Metropolitan Improvement District (MID) is a non-profit business improvement association located in downtown Seattle. In the past several years, the DSA/MID has increased their focus on public space activation and have a contract in place with Seattle Parks and Recreation to manage the staffing, activation, permitting, and sponsorship of Westlake Park, Occidental Square, Bell St. Park and Pioneer Park. Additionally, the DSA has taken on various levels of responsibilities in other parks and public spaces around downtown. The Director, Parks & Public Space is responsible for the supervision, planning and oversight of the Parks & Public Space program.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead and manage Parks & Public Space programming & operations.
• Oversee the selection and training of Parks & Public Space programming staff.
• Oversee and support the work of the senior manager of public realm operations and operational staff and services provided by the Park Ambassador team.
• Directly supervise Parks & Public Space programming and operations staff including management of the employment process including recruiting, hiring, terminations, payroll processing, providing support and mentoring, complete employee performance evaluations.
• Oversee Park Ambassador program operational needs (supplies, uniforms, devices, etc.).
• Oversee activation and program planning and implementation in managed public spaces.
• Plan and execute operational and programming budgets; reforecast quarterly or as necessary.
• Manage direction of SPD off-duty emphasis and third-party security contracts and officers, in coordination with other DSA/MID staff, to strategically improve the overall experience within the MID program area.
• Assist in negotiation of contracts with private and public partners for more public realm activation services.
• Coordinate with Seattle Parks & Recreation, Seattle Department of Transportation (and other organizations and agencies as needed) as direct liaison to confirm that city agency scope of services/work is met in managed parks and public spaces.
• Maintain up-to-date internal and external contact lists, communication information and processes for the team.
• Ensure that managed parks and public spaces are activated and programmed on a year-round basis as feasible per season, with a variety of offerings, serving a diverse population.
• Coordinate with the entire Parks & Public Space team to ensure programming, staffing and supply needs are communicated in an efficient manner, supported by on-site staff, and implemented in a coordinated and seamless way.
• Oversee the coordination and support the DSA/MID Public Realm Operations Committee.
• Participate on various Boards and committees on behalf of the organization.
• Manage special events and/or organization-wide events and priority initiatives as needed.
• Ensure that staffing is adequate for onsite staff needs to successfully support all events, programming, and activations.
• Assist with identifying, stewarding parks and public space sponsorship development and relations.
• Develop and maintain relationships by meeting with ratepayers, businesses and residents for education, problem solving, information sharing and developing vision for current and future projects.
• Work closely with internal and external partners to use technology, innovation, and best practices to develop and continue to maintain parks and public spaces and able to create business case/budgets for additional spaces.
• Assist VP, Public Realm and Ambassador Operations with projects and priorities as needed.

General DSA Support

• Facilitate coordinating content for event web pages, collateral and appropriate outreach for programming and events.
• Perform other event-related tasks as needed, including pulling event data for staffing reports, staffing company events, helping to organize supplies, assisting in running supplies out to the park, and other tasks as assigned.
• Establish program schedules and standards of excellence.
• Other commensurate duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years' progressive supervisory experience in operations or project management.
• Able to work effectively in a team setting with a variety of stakeholders and participants.
• Experience implementing change and actions to support DEI related work in environment and culture.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in Windows, MS Word, Excel and Outlook, CRM systems and data analysis skills.
• Able to create, track, and adhere to multiple budgets.
• Highly organized with the ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Self-motivated, an innovative and analytical thinker with exemplary problem-solving skills.
• Energetic learner with a healthy sense of humor and ability to react to situations in real time.
• Strong interpersonal skills and self-awareness and ability to work well with diverse groups.
• Knowledge of downtown Seattle, its neighborhoods and business community preferred.
• Ability to work early in the morning, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Employment Details 

DSA is committed to internal and market equity. The salary range for this position is $97,344 – 139,152. Salary is determined based on internal and market equity, internal and market data/salary ranges, and the applicant's job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. We will hire at the beginning of the salary range to allow future salary growth based on an employee's performance, professional development and increases in responsibilities and duties. Downtown Seattle Association provides a comprehensive benefits package including but not restricted to:  

*Medical/Dental/Vision Coverage   

VAC/Personal Holidays/Sick Days 

*Paid FMLA  

*Life Insurance  

*LTD  

*ORCA Card  

Flexible Spending Account  

Employer-Matched 401(k) Contribution with up to 5% Match after six months of employment 

*First Choice EAP  

Corporate Discounts  

*Employer paid benefit  

Application Instructions 

Please submit your application materials to [email protected] Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will close on January 24th, 2025. This position has an expected start date of March 11th, 2025.

We recognize the value of the Downtown Seattle Association and our affiliate organizations and programs reflecting the diversity of our community and are intentionally and actively seeking out applications from a variety of backgrounds, including members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). 

Downtown Seattle Association is an equal opportunity employer. All employees and potential employees will be recruited, selected, trained, promoted, and, if necessary, disciplined without regard to sex, race, religion, creed, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, political ideology or activity, disability, honorably discharged veteran, or military status. All applicants are carefully screened, and full consideration is given to their training, education, skills, aptitudes, experience, and previous work record. In addition, DSA does not discriminate based on genetic information in its employment related policies and practices, including coverage under its health benefits program.