Manager, Public Programs & Events

Reports to: Director of Public Programs & General Manager of the Davis Center

Department: Visitor Experience

Status: Exempt, Full-Time

About the Central Park Conservancy:

Central Park is one of the world's most famous and beloved public spaces. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1858, the 843-acre Park was the country's first purpose-built public park and is a National Historic Landmark and a New York Scenic Landmark. The Central Park Conservancy, a private, not-for-profit organization, was founded in 1980 to rescue the Park, which had fallen into serious disrepair. Since then, the Conservancy has overseen the investment of over $1.6 billion in the restoration of the Park, which now hosts over 40 million visitors a year.

The Conservancy’s mission is to preserve and celebrate Central Park as a sanctuary from urban life. The City of New York has formally entrusted the care of the Park to the Conservancy which is responsible for every aspect of its care, including landscape maintenance, capital improvements, and the visitor experience. The Conservancy employs roughly 400 people and has an annual operating budget of $100 million. The Conservancy is one of the largest and most successful public private partnerships in the City and is considered a major civic institution given its impact on the health of the Park and the life of the City.

The Davis Center at the Harlem Meer:

The Conservancy is currently completing construction on a new state-of-the-art facility, the Davis Center at the Harlem Meer, replacing the Lasker Pool and Rink that dated back to 1966. This new rink, pool, and turf facility will integrate recreational activity into the surrounding landscape through year-round public programming and support our broader focus on inclusive park use and community engagement.

The transformation of this site is the most significant and complex project ever undertaken by the Conservancy. It represents the culmination of our work to re-establish the north end of the Park as a vital resource for the surrounding community. When complete, the fully accessible Davis Center will offer new and enhanced outdoor activities and provide unhindered access to the north end of the Park – both by reconnecting the watercourse that travels through the Ravine, allowing it to run unobstructed from the W102nd Street Pool into the Meer, and re-establishing the pedestrian path that was once alongside it.

With ongoing input from our community and interested user groups, we have designed this state-of-the-art facility to reflect both our visitors’ priorities and the spirit of Central Park’s original purpose. The new and improved Harlem Meer will invite expanded recreational, educational and leisure activities, help us engage more deeply with our Park neighbors, and offer more ways for the community to enjoy this diverse and beautiful naturalistic setting in the heart of New York.

Position Summary

The Manager, Public Programs and Events is responsible for planning and executing the Central Park Conservancy’s year-round slate of free public programs and events. This includes oversight of four seasons of programming in Central Park and key community engagement events such as the longstanding Harlem Meer Performance Festival and Halloween on the Harlem Meer, as well as a slate of year-round programming designed for a new state-of-the-art recreational facility opening in May of this year: the Davis Center at the Harlem Meer.

The Manager will guide each stage of the planning process for programs, from creative re-imagining of existing programs and events to drafting and implementing comprehensive project plans. This position requires coordination with both internal and external stakeholders and vendors to handle logistical needs and day-of-event tasks and ensure the successful delivery of all programs.

Key Responsibilities

Oversee all aspects of event planning and logistics, including:

o Serve as a collaborative thought leader in the development of new and re-envisioned public programs that align with the Conservancy’s organizational priorities

o Develop and manage detailed project plans, including timelines, budgets, resource allocation, and metrics for each event

o Lead the permit application process for all programs

o Schedule and contract external facilitators, vendors, and performers as needed, ensuring contracts and vendor paperwork (e.g., W-9, new vendor documents, and insurance) are completed and payments are processed

o Serve as the primary internal liaison for event load-in and load-out by fielding production questions, leading walkthroughs with vendors, and coordinating between vendors, staff,

NYPD, and PEP to troubleshoot any problems that may arise

o Coordinate and ensure that key staff members are briefed on program details and delegate responsibilities to ensure the timely completion of action items

o Develop and implement guidelines for managing on-site crowd control and other safety precautions for programs and events

o Maintain the inventory and proper care of all equipment, materials, supplies

o Track program attendance and engagement metrics to assess the success of events and inform future programming

o Support administrative tasks related to programs, including the preparation of written material for reports to senior staff and funders

o Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications department on collateral for program promotion and provide content needed for printed and digital materials

Support the Director of Public Programs & General Manager of the Davis Center with the programmatic operations of the Davis Center facility, including:

o Provide oversight of daily operations and activities, including management of program support staff in the execution of year-round programs and events

o Provide excellence in customer service through on-site interactions and phone and email correspondence

o Ensure all users are following facility safety rules and behavior guidelines

o Issue immediate and complete reporting of liability issues

Work Schedule

This role requires both office-based work and on-site event management within Central Park. Work is performed in several indoor and outdoor settings, including:

• Office space at the Davis Center in Central Park (primary office)
• The Central Park Conservancy’s administrative offices at 717 Fifth Avenue
• Various locations within Central Park

This position requires weekend coverage at the Davis Center during fall and spring Turf seasons, and partial weekends over the summer during the Harlem Meer Performance Festival. Generally, a flexible schedule is important and determined by the Conservancy’s public programs schedule.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college and 5 years of experience in large-scale event planning and management, preferably in a public or non-profit organization.
• A fundamental understanding and knowledge of visitor experience management using modern practices; experience in high-visitation settings is desirable.
• Ability to think creatively and generate new ideas for impactful community events.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in budget management and logistical coordination.
• Strong leadership and team management abilities.
• Problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot issues effectively.
• Flexibility and adaptability to work in a dynamic environment and handle changing priorities.
• Valid Drivers’ License that must be maintained for duration of employment

Salary range: $74K - $93K (based on level of experience)

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

The Central Park Conservancy’s work is guided by the belief that Central Park, and all public parks, must be managed and actively protected as an inclusive and democratic space for all.

Working closely with our New York City partners, we will always strive towards creating and sustaining a sense of belonging for all visitors and advocating for equitable and accessible public use of the Park.

In service of this belief, we are committed to fostering a workforce and organizational culture that is as diverse as Central Park itself and the dynamic city it serves.

Safety Requirements

Establishment and maintenance of a safe work environment is the shared responsibility of this organization and employees at every level. The Conservancy will make every effort to assure a safe environment and be in compliance with federal, state, and local safety regulations. Employees are expected to obey safety rules and to exercise caution in all their work activities. Accordingly, employees should be aware of any hazards, which could cause an injury or accident (e.g., spills, obstacles in walkways, etc.). If an employee discovers a potential dangerous condition, he/she should alert other employees and notify his/her supervisor immediately.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.