Heart of the Park Manager

Company Summary

 About Shelby Farms Park Conservancy

The Heart of the Park (HOP) Manager is a critical leader within Park Operations, overseeing the HOP Team and ensuring the cleanliness, functionality, and visitor readiness of high-traffic zones and rental spaces. This role requires expertise in managing people, projects, and vendor contracts, as well as a strong understanding of how operational excellence contributes to client satisfaction, organizational efficiency, and the success of the Park’s event and venue rental business lines.

The HOP Manager must effectively balance daily operational needs with strategic priorities, including event logistics, facility servicing and maintenance, and larger-scale inspections and reporting. They will collaborate closely with the COO, Sales + Events team, and Park Operations team to align efforts, track budgets, and support the park’s mission of providing exceptional visitor experiences and operational efficiency. This role demands a proactive mindset, attention to detail, and the ability to anticipate needs and identify opportunities for improvement in both the visitor experience and park functionality.

Job responsibilities

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead, supervise, and mentor three full-time and seasonal part-time  HOP Team members, fostering a collaborative, results-driven culture.
• Develop team schedules to ensure consistent coverage in high-traffic zones and seamless support for events and rental spaces.
• Provide ongoing training and professional development opportunities to enhance team skills and performance.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and address challenges proactively to maintain high team morale and accountability.

Operational Oversight

• Ensure high-traffic zones and rental spaces are consistently clean, functional, and visitor-ready, meeting park standards for safety and aesthetics.
• Oversee the seasonal opening and closing of SFPC bike and boat rental locations, ensuring facilities are properly prepared, winterized, and operational.
• Oversee daily inspections and reporting, ensuring issues are promptly documented, escalated, and resolved through Rangers, Maintenance, or third-party contractors.
• Anticipate operational needs and identify opportunities for park improvements to enhance visitor satisfaction and functionality.
• Manage seasonal openings and closures of facilities, ensuring readiness and smooth transitions.

Event and Venue Management

• Serve as the primary operations liaison for Sales + Events, providing strategic input on event logistics and operational feasibility.
• Oversee the maintenance and readiness of rental spaces (e.g., pavilions, visitor center, event center), ensuring alignment with the event calendar and client expectations.
• Coordinate with contractors and internal teams to resolve venue servicing and maintenance needs efficiently.
• Ensure storage areas for event equipment remain organized and inventory is well-maintained.

Budget Management and Strategic Planning

• Collaborate with the COO to understand and manage the operational and project budgets for the HOP Team.
• Track expenditures related to inspections, maintenance, vendor services, and event support, ensuring alignment with financial projections.
• Provide recommendations for cost-saving measures, resource allocation, and investment in future improvements to high-traffic areas and rental facilities.

Vendor and Contract Management

• Manage service contracts with vendors such as ServiceMaster, pest control, handy persons, and specialized repair providers, ensuring compliance with agreements.
• Evaluate vendor performance, address deficiencies, and negotiate contract terms to meet park needs effectively.
• Schedule routine and preventative maintenance with vendors, ensuring minimal disruption to park operations and events.

Reporting and Communication

• Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) related to inspections, issue resolution, visitor satisfaction, and vendor performance.
• Provide regular updates and detailed reports to the COO, highlighting team performance, operational challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
• Act as the primary communication bridge between the HOP Team, Sales + Events, and other park teams to ensure alignment and efficiency.

Client and Visitor Experience

• Maintain a client-focused perspective, ensuring the HOP Team contributes to the success of the park’s event and venue rental business lines.
• Support Sales + Events in delivering exceptional experiences for clients by ensuring rental spaces and high-traffic zones meet or exceed expectations.
• Monitor visitor feedback and incorporate insights into operational planning and team priorities to continually improve the visitor experience.

Qualifications

• A degree in Business Management, Marketing, or Hospitality  is an asset but not required
• Minimum of 2+ years of project and/or vendor management  experience
• Minimum of 2+ years of people management experience
• Ability to consistently work nights, weekends, and holidays

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in operations management, project management, business administration, hospitality management, or a related field (preferred).
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in operations or facilities management, with a proven track record of managing high-performing teams.
• Demonstrated experience managing vendor contracts and service agreements, including performance evaluation and negotiation.
• Hands-on experience with project management, including planning, execution, and budget oversight.
• Familiarity with park operations, event logistics, or hospitality services is a strong advantage.

• Proficiency in workflow management tools (e.g., MaintainX) and project management platforms (e.g., Trello).
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.
• Competence in analyzing budgets and tracking expenses to align with organizational financial goals.
• Knowledge of best practices in facilities maintenance, inspections, and event setup and teardown processes.

• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop teams, fostering a collaborative and accountable work environment.
• Excellent communication skills to coordinate with diverse stakeholders, including the COO, Park Ops and Sales + Events team, and external vendors.
• Ability to easily engage with park visitors, clients, and team members to resolve issues and provide excellent service and visitor experiences.

• Proven ability to anticipate operational challenges and propose proactive solutions.
• A strategic mindset with a focus on improving processes, enhancing visitor experiences, and identifying opportunities for park improvements.
• Strong decision-making skills, especially in dynamic or fast-paced environments.

Personal Qualities

• Demonstrates values of collaboration, accountability, humility, authenticity, trust and learning
• Commitment to the consistent production of high quality, detailed work
• Organizes, plans, and schedules in an efficient, productive manner
• Spirit of inquisitiveness/curiosity
• Team player attitude; willingness to complete the most important task at hand
• Manages stress in a fast-paced, changing organization
• Collaborates with people of different races, backgrounds and experiences
• Elicits confidence and builds rapport
• Enthusiastic, dependable, self-motivated, and self-aware

Additional Requirements

• Familiarity with outdoor facilities and willingness to work in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to perform moderate physical tasks, including walking, standing, and lifting up to 30 pounds.
• Valid driver’s license and the ability to operate park vehicles.
• Fluency in Spanish or other languages is a plus but not required.

Additional
This document describes typical duties and responsibilities and is not intended to limit management from assigning other work as required.

SFPC is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer, we will consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, age (40+), disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status under local, state, or federal law.