We're Hiring: Community Development Director

Position summary: Reporting to the Executive Director, The Director of Community Development (DCD) supports the development and execution of Friends of the Rail Park’s (FRP) equitable development strategy. The DCD’s role is to manage the strategy, planning process, and implementation of the Rail Park Equitable Development Agenda and, where appropriate, at the discrete project and program level. The DCD will interface heavily with FRP staff, board and committees, various place-based and interest-based communities, funders, government agencies, anchor institutions, and other stakeholders.

The DCD reports directly to the Executive Director and will have supervisory responsibility for interns, project managers, and consultants, as well as administrative and project management functions related to planning activities. In partnership with the Executive Director, the DCD will lead and manage programming and community outreach to advance The Rail Park’s mission and achieve strategic goals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

Equitable Development Plan Project Management

• Manage RFP process and consultant contracting
• Mange consultant team, including setting milestones, coordinating and scheduling project team meetings, overall project plan management and associated tasks, and holding consultants and stakeholders accountable for completing them
• Capturing and organizing all incoming project communications and reporting them to FRP staff and board as needed; developing status reports for relevant stakeholder groups 
• Performing quality control on the project throughout development to maintain the standards expected

Stakeholder Outreach & Partnership Development

• Working with FRP staff, committees and board, cultivate new partnerships with nonprofits, institutions, businesses, and government agencies to create and implement the Equitable Development Plan (EDP)
• Develop and manage Equitable Development Plan Advisory Board
• Manage on-going community outreach efforts for the EDP including regular public presentations to community groups, business owners, funders and government officials

Resource Development

• Works with the Executive Director to articulate funding priorities
• Researches, identifies, and tracks relevant funders and funding opportunities
• Supports development of funding applications and submissions
• Supports tracking of awards, spend, and associated reporting requirements

Organizational Development & Support

• Integrates research and best practice in equitable development and community development into their work 
• Develops communication systems to share best practices, highlight bright spots, and keep FRP staff and partners apprised of key initiatives and activities.  
• Develop feedback loops and systems to collect input, analyze data (both qualitative and quantitative), and share progress.
• Working with the Executive Director and board, effectively manage and develop other team members (direct reports, project teams, etc.) with an assets-based approach, cultivating a collaborative and inclusive team culture that seeks to coach and empower

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in related field, 5+ years experience preferred
• Experience implementing workforce development, housing policy and / or small business enterprises strategies 
• A demonstrated track record of developing community support
• Excellent written (including editing and proofreading) and verbal communication skills are important to this position, including the ability to understand and translate the Rail Park’s mission and interests with clarity, enthusiasm, and effectiveness 
• Proven ability to manage a complex budget and project timelines
• Strong research and analytical skills. Ability to investigate an issue, ask thoughtful questions and recommend possible solutions. Able to build a logical approach to addressing problems by drawing on own knowledge and experience or by seeking other references or resources as appropriate
• Able to set short-and long-term planning goals in line with program priorities and available resources. A task-oriented style, with a focus on achieving clear and ambitious goals
• Demonstrated ability to meet multiple deadlines by maintaining a high level of organization while delivering a high quality work product 
• Able to develop and move projects forward with independence and autonomy and maintain attention to detail and thoroughness in completing assigned duties.
• Sound judgment and integrity with discretion in handling and securing confidential information, as well as the ability to conduct oneself in a highly professional manner as a representative of the Rail Park
• This position will be expected to participate in evening and weekend programming such as community presentations and regular outreach events on an as-needed basis

Reports to: Executive Director

Salary: $80,000 - $90,000 per year plus benefits. 

Target start date:  October 2024

TO APPLY:

Send a single PDF labeled “YourLastName_YourFirstName” to jobs@therailpark.org that includes:

• A cover letter describing your relevant experience and interest in the position
• Your resume

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with a final deadline of September 13, 2024.  References will be contacted as the hiring process moves forward. 

No phone calls or emails, please.

ABOUT FRIENDS OF THE RAIL PARK:

Friends of the Rail Park is the 501c3 organization on a mission to build bold, transformative and inclusive public space that connects Philadelphia’s residents and visitors to the city and each other. For more information, please visit therailpark.org.

Friends of the Rail Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer and having a diverse staff is a fundamental principle, where employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/affectional preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under law.