Vice President, Programs & Permits

POSITION DETAILS:

Department: Public Programs

Position Reports To: Executive VP/Park Relationships & Programs

FLSA Status: Exempt

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About THE Hudson River Park Trust (“Trust”)

Hudson River Park is a dynamic, 4-mile-long park along the West Side of Manhattan serving millions of visitors each year and featuring distinctive and varied piers, lawns and uplands. The Hudson River Park Trust (the “Trust”) is a public benefit corporation created by act of the NYS Legislature, with a mission to design, construct, maintain and operate this unique space. The Park is financially self-supporting, generating its operating budget from commercial tenancies and permittees located within the Park’s boundaries as well as from grants, sponsorships, donations and other sources.

Each year, the Trust hosts hundreds of programs, both self-produced and guest sponsored. Annual public park programs planned and produced directly by the Trust include the Submerge Marine Science Festival, Broadway by the Boardwalk, Blues BBQ, and scores of free dance and exercise programming, among others. The Trust also receives hundreds of requests each year for guest events, permits and activities ranging from sports, to fashion shows by major international brands, to concerts and food festivals, to fundraising walk-runs by non-profits and more.

Job Summary

The Vice President Programming & Events will be responsible for creating and delivering high-quality, engaging park programming, as well as overseeing permitting, logistics, and production for events on behalf of the Hudson River Park Trust.

The Public Programs Department produces hundreds of events each year, large and small, to provide free music, dance, educational, fitness and sports programming to the public. It also reviews, negotiates and administers hundreds of requests for partnerships and permits for a diverse array of uses within the park, from youth sport leagues to high-profile, revenue-generating events, including well-known festivals, fashion shows and film shoots. The Park’s multiple athletic fields are some of the most sought-after in the City, and host tens of thousands of adult and youth players each year.

Leading three full-time team members and supported by a robust seasonal staff, the successful candidate will enhance the Trust’s annual programming by overseeing the development of fun, diverse events and programs in the Park’s unique spaces. At the same time, the Vice President will manage requests for permits, event partnerships and activations from third-parties, inclusive of business negotiations where relevant, and ensuring seamless coordination within the Trust’s park operations team. The Park is a narrow, complicated space and requires extensive, active coordination across a wide range of stakeholders.

Operating in a public context and as a representative of a governmental organization, the Vice President will be central to striking the balance between providing open space, enhancing visitor experiences, business opportunities and managing logistics and competing needs for physical space within a very heavily used public park. This is a unique opportunity for a candidate who is creative, collaborative, detail-oriented, and who enjoys new challenges.

Essential JOB RESPONSIBILITES/Functions

• Oversee the Public Programs team’s creation and execution of the Trust’s programming season to enhance visitors’ experiences and build the park’s reputation, including planning events, securing vendors and marketing.
• Identify sponsorship and partnership opportunities that align with the Park’s mission and enhance programming.
• Manage permitting operations and relationships for a diverse range of uses, including youth sports, charity runs, cultural and food festivals, fashion shows, and film shoots.
• Negotiate permit terms and fees to optimize revenue while balancing open space needs and impacts to the Park and its users.
• Coordinate closely with Trust departments – including Operations, Public Safety, Engineering, Finance, Legal, and others – to ensure seamless event delivery and minimize impacts to the Park and resource demands.
• Manage and mentor a core team of three full-time staff plus a robust team of seasonal hires, providing hands-on guidance and performance feedback.
• Oversee the Department’s annual budget and ongoing spending, including satisfying the requirements of public procurement and contracting.
• Maintain and improve strong working relationships with stakeholders, including contractors, permittees, city agencies, key community members and sponsors.

Other Duties: This job description is not intended to cover all the activities, duties and responsibilities that are required of the position. Other related duties and responsibilities may be assigned at the discretion of the Trust.

Education & Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher level of education in marketing, communications, business or related areas.
• 5+ years of experience in production or event management, and 5+ years of supervisory experience.
• Previous high-level, large scale event production, marketing and/or management.

KEY Competencies REQUIRED

The following are the key competencies that will be required of the leader assuming this role:

• Deep understanding of event operations and logistics. Experience in parks, public space and/or similar environments is a significant plus.
• An inspiring and supportive leader, team builder and collaborator with interest and success managing and collaborating with diverse teams and team members.
• Demonstrated success in business negotiations, building strategic alliances and managing stakeholder relationships.
• Excellent communication, networking and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to effectively manage and balance multiple projects, competing priorities and shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong commitment to serving the public.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Work is performed in both a standard office environment and throughout the park, including on-site engagement (e.g. park activation, public events) and in active work sites (e.g. event inspections) across all park areas. Extensive walking is required.
• Ability to operate office equipment such as computers, phones, printers and related software.
• A valid driver’s license is required.
• No heavy lifting required.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Competitive salary dependent upon the applicant’s experience and qualifications and number of years practicing law. Excellent benefits package including: paid holidays, vacation time, sick and personal time, transportation allowance, medical, dental, vision, Life, LTD and Paid Family Leave insurance, and participation in New York State Pension System.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter to the General Counsel demonstrating interest in the position and a resume to resumes@hrpt.ny.gov. Indicate Job Code: HRPT-2025 VP Programs in the subject line of the email. No phone calls please.

More information on the Hudson River Park is available at:

www.hudsonriverpark.org

Equal Employment Opportunity

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov