Director of Corridor and Trail Development

Job Description

Great Parks is seeking a Director of Corridor & Trail Development to lead the planning, design, and delivery of high-impact regional trail and river corridor projects. This role oversees a team of dedicated professionals to advance regional initiatives that will connect communities to nature and each other.

The ideal candidate will bring vision for a region of interconnected open space, catalytic energy to forge strong partnerships and drive results, and be a leader who thinks across boundaries. Great Parks is poised to build bold, connected, and lasting public spaces—and we need a visionary, integrative leader to steer that momentum into action. If you thrive on translating big ideas into built impact, this is your moment to lead lasting change.

At Great Parks, our team members work together to preserve and protect natural resources and to provide outdoor recreation and education in order to enhance the quality of life for present and future generations. Be a part of an inclusive organization that enriches the region by inspiring nature-based experiences, celebrating cultural heritage and building strong and healthy communities through our dedicated staff, volunteers, and friends.

Please include a cover letter along with your resume.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Provides leadership, development and an effective system of accountability to the Corridor and Trail Development team. Manages in accordance with delegated authority, and Great Parks’ policies, applicable laws, and regulations.

Responsible for recruiting talent and monitoring performance of the Corridor and Trail Development team. Manages various employee levels and makes strategic staffing decisions in consultation with supervisor and advisement by Employee Services. Delegates job responsibilities, maintains effective organizational communications, and consistently follows sound management principles and practices.

Holds team members accountable for deliverables that align with the strategic direction of the division. Provides clear direction and direct feedback, as well as development opportunities, to team members. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the agency’s practices, policies, and applicable laws. Plans, organizes, directs and evaluates performance of assigned staff.

Establishes priorities, performance requirements, and professional development targets that are connected to the agency’s goals, objectives and initiatives. Regularly monitors performance and provides coaching for performance improvement and development. Provides recommendations related to hiring, compensation and other rewards to recognize performance. Takes disciplinary action, up to and including termination when required, to address performance deficiencies in coordination with Human Resources.

Maintains responsibility for the timely and effective accomplishment of assigned strategic goals in accordance with Great Parks’ Comprehensive Master Plan (CMP), Park & Facility Master Plan (PFMP), strategic plans and initiatives, including the quality, timeliness, and budgets of assigned architectural, engineering, landscape architectural, and planning projects.

Leads cross-divisional planning efforts and champions interagency collaboration to deliver regionally impactful trail and blueway initiatives. Manages the capital improvement process for projects delivered within the Department including priorities, budget, design, workflows, construction and construction scheduling and assigning project management responsibilities.

Develops project design goals and creative vision for confirmation with senior leadership.

Establishes community engagement goals and methods for capital improvement projects. Tracks goals and maintains feedback loop on progress.

Ensures aesthetic and experiential qualities of works are consistent with Great Parks’ identity, brand, and placemaking strategies.

Ensures works are consistent with sustainability, accessibility, and other organizational goals and policies.

Establishes and implements a land acquisition strategy based on conservation priorities established in the Master Plan, Park and Facility Master Plan, Natural Resource Management Plan, and other factors as directed in agency strategy.

Develops and oversees the regional project grant strategy, in coordination with the Grants Manager.

Manages relationships with external partners. Ensures coordination with other leaders for high-level advocacy.

Maintains responsibility for management and coordination of contractors and consultants to ensure the highest quality of capital improvements, appropriate legal bidding process, and appropriate expenditure of funds. Oversees selection of consultants to ensure selection of most qualified team per project objectives and in accordance with Great Parks’ master plan, strategic plan, policies, and requirements.

Recommends expenditures on capital projects based upon approved budget. Develops budget requests based upon project cost estimates. Approves purchasing requests.

Develops and implements departmental expenditure budgets and maintains responsibility for monitoring and controlling expenditures within approved budget.

Advocates with regional partners and jurisdictions to build and leverage strategic partnerships and pursue funding and other opportunities.

Drives equitable access through department procedures and planning and design decisions.

Makes formal presentations and speaks before groups concerning park planning and development.

May lead select high-priority projects as needed, but typically focuses on portfolio oversight, strategic alignment, and division-wide leadership.

Performs job duties in accordance with Great Parks’ policies, procedures, and performance expectations.

Maintains confidentiality of confidential and sensitive information.

Works assigned schedule, exhibits regular and punctual attendance and works outside of normal schedule as required.

Performs other job duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture, Engineering, Planning, or related field is required.

A minimum of five years of progressive planning and/or project delivery experience is required.

A minimum of five years of experience managing a team and leading people, including holding team members accountable for outcomes and deliverables, is required.

Experience in regional trail planning and development is preferred.

GIS and land acquisition experience is preferred.

Ability to document identity and employment eligibility within three (3) days of original appointment as a condition of employment in compliance with Immigration Reform and Control Act requirements.

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

State Driver License that meets current GPHC carrier guidelines.

We offer an excellent benefit package that includes medical, dental and life insurance; paid vacation, 11 holidays and sick time; enrollment in Ohio Public Employees Retirement System and free or discounted use of many Great Parks of Hamilton County recreational activities.

Great Parks is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or any other classification protected under applicable law.

Full-time