Executive Director

Executive Director Job Post
About the Park People of Milwaukee, Inc.:
The Park People of Milwaukee County, Inc. (“The Park People”) is a nonprofit, community-based
organization formed in 1978. Its purpose is to preserve, support, and enhance Milwaukee County Parks
while building an effective volunteer organization. Its website is found at https://parkpeoplemke.or
The primary focus of The Park People is to support Friends Groups, which are volunteer organizations
dedicated to specific parks. There are approximately 40 Friends Groups serving a host of parks in
Milwaukee County. The Park People assists Friends Groups by providing administrative support such as
insurance for their activities, 501(c)(3) tax exempt status for donations they receive, and technical
support derived from its experience with organizing Friends Groups. The Park People also assists
Friends Groups in organizing Weed-Outs® (removing invasive species), Trash-Outs (park cleanup), and
providing equipment for park activities. The Park People also manages its own activities, such as the
Oak Leaf Discovery Tour®, Park Market, and Parkticipation.
About the Role
Our current Executive Director will be retiring later this year, creating a vacancy. This is a part-time
position, requiring 20 - 25 hours per week. However, the position involves a great deal of responsibility,
as the Executive Director is, in a word, the face of the organization, both with respect to Friends Groups
and the general public. The Executive Director is responsible for the day-to-day management of the
organization, reporting to the Board of Directors. The Executive Director is assisted by
independent contract workers, rather than a full-time staff. Executive skills are required because the
Executive Director is responsible for developing and managing the budget in line with the organization’s
mission and resources. Most importantly, the Executive Director must have good communication skills,
because so much of the work involves relationship building.
The Executive Director’s role is to advance the mission by interacting with and developing the
organization’s membership, managing organization’s events and programs, promoting the creation and
responding to the needs of Friends Groups, and coordinating with the Milwaukee County Park
Department. Ideally, the Executive Director will help develop partnerships and sponsorships within the
community directed at supporting The Park People and the parks.
The successful candidate will be a high energy individual who is able to motivate and engage others,
balance multiple priorities, and navigate successfully in challenging situations. The Executive Director
must be transparent, personable and someone who is very comfortable working independently while
also teaming with Board Members and other community partners. The Board is an active and informed
governing board. The Executive Director works with the Board of Directors to establish and implements
its strategic plan and budget.
The Park People seeks a candidate with a bachelor’s degree (or higher) along with commensurate skills
and expertise in general business management, event and project management, marketing
communication, staff management, board and community relations. Excellent speaking, writing and
computer skills are essential. Experience working for a non-profit and in membership, fund
development and grant writing is beneficial. Familiarity with various marketing communication vehicles
is also beneficial. Experience with QuickBooks™ or other financial management software tools and
spreadsheets is valuable.
The Executive Directors is accountable for the following:
1. Manages organization’s restricted, fiscally sponsored and operational funds.
2. Responsible for implementing membership growth and retention plans, including an annual
membership drive. Maintains all records related to membership and renewals
3. Accountable for the planning and execution of The Park People signature programs including Oak
Leaf Discovery Tour®, Weed-Out® and Run for the Parks®. Support other initiatives which align to
organization mission and as approved by the Board of Directors.
4. Support the needs of existing and new Friends Group organizations. Partner with Friends Group
Committee Chair on annual Friends Group meeting and initiatives. Align The Park People plans with
Milwaukee County Parks Department.
5. Maintain the online PARK MARKET. Ensure prompt delivery/implementation of PARK MARKET
purchases, coordinating all activities required for successful order fulfillment.
6. Identifies Fund Development opportunities. Develop new revenue sources for the parks and The
Park People, including earned income activities, corporate and foundation relationships and funding
proposals.
7. Establish success metrics for each approved event. Report out results (financial and non-financial) in
planning and post event stages. Work to identify process / cost improvement opportunities.
8. Oversee marketing, media and public relations activities in accordance with policies adopted by the
Board of Directors. Publicize, promote and represent the activities of the organization, its programs
and goals
9. Establish sound working relationships and cooperative arrangements with community groups and
organizations, including the Milwaukee County Parks Department and regulatory agencies.
Cultivates relationships with potential members, including corporate organizations and individuals.
10. Responsible for the recruitment and management of all paid staff, outside contractors, and
volunteers. Establishes and manages a brank of volunteers to support all areas of the organization’s
work.
11. Work with the staff, Finance Committee, and the board in preparing a budget and ensuring that the
organization operates within budget guidelines, maintaining sound financial practices and using
generally accepted accounting principles
12. Other duties as assigned

Email to: director@parkpeoplemke.org