Program Director, Los Angeles Parks for People

Socal Asla is seeking a Program Director for the Los Angeles Parks for People initiative. This role involves overseeing strategy, community engagement, and project management for developing parks in underserved areas. The director will manage multiple projects with a budget of $76 million, ensuring community needs are met. Candidates should have a relevant degree and 7-10 years of experience in urban planning or related fields, with strong leadership and communication skills.
The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit organization that works to create parks and protect land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come. TPL’s Parks for People program is focused on providing urban residents, particularly those in underserved areas, access to quality parks and green spaces within a 10-minute walk of their homes. By fostering community engagement and driving equitable development, TPL aims to transform public spaces into hubs of health, activity, and social connection.

TPL is seeking an experienced and passionate Program Director to lead the Los Angeles Parks for People initiative. In this role, the Program Director will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the program, including strategy development, community engagement, project management, and partnership cultivation. The Program Director will spearhead efforts to create new parks, playgrounds, and open spaces in underserved Los Angeles communities, ensuring these areas are designed to meet the needs of local residents and enhance the overall quality of life. This position requires a deep commitment to environmental justice, equity, and community-driven development.

In addition to managing and cultivating external relationships, the Program Director will oversee the entire lifecycle of 30 active park development projects, from strategy conceptual design to completion with a total design and construction budget of $76 million. This includes leading efforts to engage community members in the planning and design processes, ensuring that their voices are heard, and their needs are reflected in the final project outcomes. The Program Director will manage 4 project managers and 1 community engagement manager, who set timelines, and coordinate with contractors and other professionals to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget. The position also requires a commitment to measuring and reporting the impact of completed projects on the communities they serve.

Candidates are required to possess a Bachelor’s degree required, including coursework in urban planning, landscape architecture, and land use management coupled with 7-10 years of experience in urban planning, and construction processes, particularly park planning, landscape architecture and capital improvements, public policy, nonprofit management, or a related field, with a proven track record of managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects. A successful Program Director will demonstrate exceptional leadership and communication skills, with the demonstrated ability to inspire and guide both internal teams and external partners. This role demands someone who is not only a strong advocate for parks and open spaces but also someone who can balance visionary thinking with strategic, practical and results-driven management. Familiarity with advocacy and government relations needed to impact policy and funding is critical. A deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within underserved urban communities is essential for this role, as is a passion for environmental justice and equitable development.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the communities of Los Angeles by enhancing access to parks and green spaces. The salary for this position ranges from $112,000 to $140,000 annually, with a comprehensive benefits package. If you are a dedicated leader with a commitment to community-driven development and environmental equity, we encourage you to apply.

Please submit your resume and cover letter to by November 1, 2024 and apply using this link .
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