Director Of Plaza Operations

Director of Plaza Operations
Location: Lower Manhattan
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
Type: Full-time
About Gotham Park
Gotham Park is a grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2021 to create a vibrant,
inclusive, hyper-urban public space at the Manhattan landing of the Brooklyn Bridge.
In its first four years, Gotham Park has reopened nearly four acres—including the
return of the beloved Brooklyn Banks—while activating the space with free public
programming. Predominantly funded by private donations, Gotham Park cleans and
beautifies our newly reopened public space and partners with NYC agencies to
improve and expand it for the community. Learn more at gothampark.org.
Position Summary
The Director of Plaza Operations will be responsible for ensuring the seamless daily
operation, maintenance, and safety of Gotham Park’s public spaces. This position
oversees all aspects of plaza management—including landscape maintenance and
ongoing improvements, cleanliness and waste management, public safety, plaza
improvement projects, vendor management, and event coordination. The Director of
Plaza Operations will also be responsible for developing and maintaining Standard
Operating Procedures for all aspects of plaza operations, ensuring internal systems,
workflows, and infrastructure support organizational effectiveness.
The Director will oversee the small but growing Programs and Operations teams and
work closely with the Executive, Communications, and Development teams, city
agencies, and contractors to maintain the highest standards of public space
management and community service. This role requires a balance of hands-on
operational oversight and strategic planning, ensuring that Gotham Park’s public plaza
operations function as models of safety, sustainability, and hospitality.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Planning
● Develop and implement short- and long-term operational strategies that
ensure the cleanliness, sustainability, safety, and functionality of Gotham Park.
● Manage operational budgets, including contracts, maintenance, and capital
expenses.
● Set performance standards and create systems to monitor and evaluate operational outcomes.
● Advise senior leadership on maintenance and infrastructure needs, resource allocation, and operational priorities.
● Support senior leadership in identifying and developing strategic programmatic and operational partnerships.
Public Space Management & Maintenance
● Oversee all aspects of plaza maintenance, including landscaping, cleaning, lighting, infrastructure, and amenities, ensuring adherence to Gotham Park’s Plaza Maintenance Agreement with NYC Department of Transportation.
● In consultation with Executive, Programs and Operations teams, strategic partners, city agencies, partners, and vendors, develop and implement protocols to maintain the highest achievable standards of environmental sustainability in all aspects of plaza operations, including waste management, horticultural planning and maintenance, and water and energy procurement and usage.
● Ensure the plaza is consistently safe, welcoming, and accessible to all visitors.
● Supervise maintenance teams, vendors, and contractors, ensuring adherence to scope, quality, and budget.
● Conduct routine inspections to proactively identify and resolve maintenance and landscaping needs.
● Coordinate with city agencies—including NYC DOT, NYPD, Parks, DOB, EDC, and DSNY—on public space maintenance, improvements, regulatory compliance, and intersection with other public projects in the vicinity.
● Provide logistical support and oversight for the organization and maintenance of equipment storage, and support the Programs and Operations teams in procuring and maintaining adequate supplies for Gotham Park’s programs, horticulture, and maintenance.
Event & Program Logistics
● Develop standard operating procedures for event and public program management.
● Provide oversight and support to Programs and Operations teams to ensure plaza readiness for public events and activations.
● Lead logistical planning and execution for setup, safety, crowd management, and breakdown of programs and events.
● Ensure operational support for volunteer programs, including identifying projects for volunteer groups, materials management and on-site coordination.
● Manage permitting, compliance, and coordination with relevant city agencies for public events.
Safety, Compliance & Risk Management
● Ensure compliance with OSHA, ADA, and city regulations for public space environments.
● Maintain and implement emergency preparedness and response protocols.
● Lead safety training and inspections for staff and vendors.
● Identify and mitigate risks related to operations, maintenance, and public use.
Community & Partner Engagement
● Support Gotham Park in meetings with city agencies, community partners, and vendors as subject matter pertains to plaza operations.
● Support Programs and Operations staff where necessary in managing and advancing strategic partnerships.
● Build and maintain positive relationships with stakeholders, ensuring collaborative problem-solving and communication.
● Support Gotham Park’s outreach and engagement efforts by maintaining a visible, approachable presence within the plaza.
Team Leadership, Collaboration & Culture
● Lead and mentor Programs and Operations staff, fostering a culture of accountability, safety, and dependable execution by supporting staff with information, timelines, and clear processes for achieving objectives.
● Partner with the Executive team to maintain internal planning cycles, check-ins, and communications structures that support smooth collaboration.
● Support the Programs and Operations teams’ collaboration with the Executive, Development, and Communications teams to advance Gotham Park’s mission and fundraising goals, including via complete, accurate and timely data reporting.
● Assist full Gotham Park team fl exibly and supportively at events and community initiatives.
Qualifi cations
● 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in operations management, facilities management, or public space administration.
● Demonstrated experience managing complex operations, budgets, and contracts.
● Strong leadership and team management skills; proven ability to supervise, motivate, and develop staff.
● Experience collaborating with public agencies, vendors, and contractors.
● Excellent organizational and project management abilities with strong attention to detail.
● Familiarity with maintenance management systems, safety standards, and regulatory compliance.
● Profi ciency in Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with Salesforce CRM preferred.
● Strong written and verbal communication skills.
● Fluency in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, or other languages is preferred.
Attributes
● Passion for public spaces, civic engagement, environmental sustainability, and Gotham Park’s mission.
● Strategic thinker who can balance high-level planning with operational execution.
● Calm and solutions-oriented under pressure.
● Collaborative and diplomatic communicator who thrives in multi-stakeholder environments.
● Team player and hands-on leader with a commitment to excellence, equity, and sustainability.
Physical Aspects of the Job
This position requires regular on-site presence at Gotham Park as well as in-office work. Physical activity may include walking, lifting, carrying, and operating light equipment in an outdoor environment. The Director must be comfortable working in varied weather conditions and managing staff and contractors in the fi eld. The position requires use of a cell phone for coordination; the employee is responsible for maintaining their own phone and service plan.
Terms
This is a full-time exempt staff position with a competitive benefi ts package. Starting salary range: $90,000 to $110,000 depending on experience and education. The role requires regular in-person work in New York, NY (Lower Manhattan), with some evening and weekend work for events and maintenance oversight.
Equal Opportunity
Gotham Park is committed to developing and maintaining a workforce that refl ects the vibrance and diversity of our community. We aim to maximize the potential of all our staff members and volunteers by assuring a culture of competence and respect that is inclusive, free of bias, and culturally sensitive. All qualifi ed applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender,
gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
Application Instructions
● Please send your resume and a brief statement of interest to: careers@gothampark.org.
● Applications submitted without a statement of interest/cover letter will not be considered. Statement of interest should be no longer than one page and should address applicant’s interest in Gotham Park’s mission and whether and how applicant’s experience, qualifi cations, and attributes meet the requirements of this position, providing detailed examples.
● Application deadline: December 5, 2025, or until the position is fi lled.
● Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
● References will be required.