The newly founded Hamtramck Parks Conservancy (HPC) is seeking a Director, Philanthropy and External Engagement.
About Hamtramck Parks Conservancy
Under the CEO and Board’s leadership, the HPC was created to operate, improve and provide for equitable access to recreational facilities within the City and School District of Hamtramck.
The Conservancy seeks to promote the creation, operation and maintenance of green spaces, recreational grounds and facilities for public use and provide health, education and welfare opportunities to the communities served by those spaces. The City of Hamtramck and Hamtramck Public Schools – as shared owners of the site – have partnered with key stakeholders, the Detroit City Futbol Club and Friends of Historic Hamtramck Stadium, to develop a detailed plan for the Hamtramck Recreation District.
A Collective Vision
There is an urgent need for green space and recreational facilities in the City of Hamtramck: it has among the least number of acres of parkland per capita in the United States. Access to parks and nature is key to well-being, yet Hamtramck’s lack of resources makes it a challenge to improve park amenities. The HPC will address this challenge with a sustainable operating budget and transformative capital improvements as described in the visionary Hamtramck Recreation District Plan. The first initiative is to revitalize Veterans Parks and PlayFair into an outstanding community asset and be fully responsible for the park’s operation.
The new collaborative vision for the Hamtramck Recreation District (HRD) will accomplish the goals put forward by the community:
- Create a Destination;
- Build Community;
- Strengthen Hamtramck’s Identity;
- Establish Financial Sustainability;
- Expand Physical Activity;
- Celebrate History;
- Build Community Pride;
- Be Accessible;
- Be Long-Lasting
The new plan creates destinations and activities for everyone, with elements such as park neighborhoods, gathering spaces, children’s play areas, sports fields, trails, and gardens. The District includes Keyworth Stadium, where the DCFC soccer team now plays, the Historic Hamtramck Stadium, which was once home to the Negro National League Detroit Stars and is one of five remaining Negro League stadiums in the nation. The plan builds the future of the Recreation District around the site’s rich and layered history. The transformation of the district over time will enrich the lives of all those who visit and use the park spaces and will enhance the identity of Hamtramck as a place that honors history and values equity, diversity, family, physical activity, and leisure.
The Opportunity
The HPC is at an exciting moment in our history as we seek a highly skilled individual to serve as our first ever Director, Philanthropy and Communications to support our dynamic and developing organization.
Under the direction of the HPC Executive Director (ED), the Director, Philanthropy and Communications is responsible for the management of fundraising, marketing, PR, membership, and community engagement strategy the HPC. The primary focus of this position is on continuous financial growth through increased revenues via the cultivation of sustainable and diverse philanthropic, government, corporate, and community support. This includes generating, cultivating, and pursuing fundraising and revenue generating opportunities; establishing key partnerships in the community; marketing the vision and mission and developing fundraising strategies for new initiatives.
The Director, Philanthropy and Communications is also responsible for assisting the ED in shaping the Philanthropic culture of the organization by modeling behaviors that are consistent with and promote the mission, vision, values, and strategic plan of the organization. Further, the individual must show commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to the role that public space can play in creating healthy, safe and dynamic outcomes in the community.
The successful candidate will be expected to continuously demonstrate professionalism, interpersonal skills, integrity, confidentiality, and judgment to create trust in a multicultural, diverse and positive inclusive environment, as well as transparent organizational culture.
Responsibilities include, but not limited to:
Provide staffing support to the HPC organization and manage the execution of fundraising activities and/or public events held on HRD grounds and/or other facilities.
Attend, network, and represent HPC at media/press, community, neighborhood, and city meetings, conferences celebrations, and/or events with existing partners and cultivate new partners.
Assist HPC ED with strategic planning; and lead resource identification activities, HPC Membership & Ambassador programs, and cultivation of HPC strategic development plans.
Oversee creation of HPC community newsletter, outreach, community resource materials, guest/visitor surveys, program guides, and HRD visitor guides/info, and support the creation of multi-language HPC materials in partnership with stakeholders.
Lead development of HPC marketing & media engagement programs to include development of materials, signage, photography/videography, and media relations packets.
Support the co-management of HPC AmeriCorps Member in cultivation and training of HPC volunteers for all on-site events, grounds clean-up/beautification, fundraising, and organizational support opportunities; lead the development of the HPC volunteer outreach, engagement, and retention
Support the co-management of HPC ED and AmeriCorps Member’s marketing outreach activities to include editing, marketing material creation, HPC social media marketing and website content updates.
Attend and participate in all HPC planning sessions, boards meetings, training, and organizational development meetings.
Other administrative duties as assigned in support of ED.
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree in relative fields of study and 5 years fundraising experience in a professional position, Master’s degree is preferred
Experience and/or background in education, community development, athletics, youth programs, membership organizations, parks & recreation, public services, and/or public spaces, preferred.
Must possess strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills; and conflict resolution and management skills with ability to maintain positive collaborative relationships with local officials, community organizations, advisory boards, schools, and city staff.
Ability to support the HPC and ED in cultivating a strong working relationship with key stakeholders including, but not limited to the HPC Board, Friends of Historic Hamtramck, DCFC, City of Hamtramck, Hamtramck Public Schools, and philanthropic, athletic, and corporate partners.
Demonstrated experience developing, managing and implementing a comprehensive fund development program and producing charitable contributions.
Demonstrated experience developing and conducting a wide range of resource development strategies, including endowments annual campaigns, direct mail, major gift, special events and/or grant writing.
Experience working effectively the community, stakeholders, with a Board of Directors and other volunteer leadership committees.
10-years demonstrated experience developing media campaigns and trainings, and producing professional communication pieces on behalf of an organization, including press releases, annual reports, newsletters, etc.
5-years of non-profit management experience required; experience in volunteer management is preferred
10-years experience supervising others, required
Ability to work outdoors in variant weather conditions, physically able to traverse/navigate HPC for events/activities (with/without accommodation) as required.
Bilingual in Arabic, Bengali, Pakistani, and/or Polish, a plus.
The HPC, at its discretion, may consider an alternative combination of formal education, training, background, and work experience.
Hours/Schedule
Flexible schedule 30-35 Hours per week; available holidays, evenings and weekends, as required.
Work Location:
Remote Office, Hamtramck City Hall Offices, as needed/required.
Alternate Works Sites: Veterans Park/HRD Grounds, as required.
Compensation
Starting Salary $50,000-55,000, with annual incentives and quarterly bonuses. There are no vision, health, retirement benefits offered at this time.
Professional Development/Training
The HPC is a dynamic developing organization committed to offering all members of its growing team professional development, mentoring, and training opportunities to enhance personal learning and professional skills.
Application
As an organization operating in Michigan’s most diverse community, we actively encourage individuals who are underrepresented on the basis of race, ethnicity, income, and sexual orientation, as well as those who share the life experiences of the members we serve, to apply.
The Hamtramck Parks Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer and will not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, height, marital or veteran status or the presence of medical conditions or disability. Michigan and Federal laws require employers to make accommodations to persons with a disability if the disability can be accommodated within certain guidelines, and the individual can perform the essential job duties with or without such accommodation. Persons with a disability may request an accommodation of their disability by notifying the Hamtramck Park Conservancy at
