Director of Programs

Director of Programs

About the Waterfront Alliance  

The Waterfront Alliance is a civic organization that brings together a diverse coalition of more than 1,100 Alliance Partners with ties to the New York–New Jersey waterways. Founded in 2007, we build, transform, revitalize, and protect accessible waterfronts for all communities. Key programs and advocacy areas include climate resilience, public access to the waterfront, the working waterfront, and climate education. 

The Waterfront Alliance is a regional leader in climate policy and waterfront revitalization with a focus on waterfront resilience. While the Waterfront Alliance is best known regionally, it is increasingly being recognized for its leadership across the Northeast and nationally. 

Classification: Fulltime, exempt

Salary and Benefits: Salary is $95,000–$115,000. Waterfront Alliance offers a comprehensive benefits package, including employer paid medical, dental, and vision insurances; life insurance; 401K retirement plan with employer match; commuter and FSA benefits, paid time off, paid sabbatical after five years, professional development opportunities, and more.

Location: New York, NY, with a generous telecommuting policy. Relocation reimbursement will be available.

Reports to: President and CEO 

Responsibilities

The Director of Programs (DP) has management responsibility for program areas of the Waterfront Alliance that are core to our mission.  The DP will provide leadership and contribute to strategy that influences agencies, decision makers, legislators, the public, and partner organizations.

The position is a part of the senior management team that develops, with the board of directors, the overall strategy for the organization and represents the Waterfront Alliance on a local, regional, and national basis.  The position offers significant opportunity to the right candidate to quickly grow in major areas of responsibility and leadership at the Waterfront Alliance.

The DP has experience, inherent skills, and/or strong interests related to program-related management, coalitions, campaigns, legislation, government affairs, communications science, and environmental policy.  They lead three direct reports who execute programs, support and lead strategic initiatives, and help position the organization to influence important regional and national decision makers.   The position fosters the growth of direct reports and their professional success.  The position works closely with the Chief Waterfront Design Officer, CEO, and COO to collaborate on the execution of major strategies and initiatives core to the Waterfront Alliance mission. 

The DP is or will become a policy expert in a number of areas of environment, climate, land use, environmental protection, water resources, waterfront revitalization and diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEI+J) policy related to the mission of the Waterfront Alliance and will grow in their expertise as the region and nation grow in the response to climate change.  The DP is passionate and committed to the breadth of the Waterfront Alliance mission.

The DP collaborates with team members in the operational areas of the organization and holds strong relationships with targeted board members and some outside funders. 

Major Responsibilities:

• Manage program staff and coordinate between departments and functional areas of the organization on behalf of the program team
• Build relationships with elected officials and agency leaders to advance programmatic priorities and develop related strategies to position the Waterfront Alliance with decision makers
• Oversee and manage the operations and impact of the Rise to Resilience Coalition, climate resilience initiatives, public access priorities, and the Estuary Explorers program which includes coordination and oversight of environmental education curriculum development
• Manage partnerships and advocacy related to maritime and port program areas with CEO
• Participate in and represent Waterfront Alliance through other coalitions, working groups, and steering committees to advance Waterfront Alliance’s agenda when necessary
• With training and over time, be able to manage and execute our Maritime Activation planning consulting services, and production of related research and reports.

• In collaboration with CEO and Director of Events, provide leadership in priority content and strategy for each annual Waterfront Conference and other program related events. Work with all program staff and WEDG leadership to inform event programming. 

• Provide expertise and leadership to ensure programmatic priorities align with DEI+J priorities
• Support foundation, and corporate funding activities, including drafting text for applications and representing the organization at some donor meetings.
• Collaborate with COO on government contracting and reporting
• Manage and mentor staff and conduct all staff management tasks such as performance reviews, hiring, etc.

Desired Skills and Experiences:

• At least five years of professional experience; a graduate degree in a relevant field is preferred
• Experience and/or knowledge to varying extent in urban planning, climate policy, environmental sustainability, conservation, urban planning and design, community engagement, public policy, and/or maritime issues
• Ability to manage and lead projects, work closely with people and partners, and foster and facilitate collaboration
• Ability to work with both technical issues and community issues with a wide range of project partners
• Ability to address operational and management challenges
• Excellent people, oral, and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently and with a team, to prioritize competing activities, troubleshoot and offer solutions to problems and challenges
• Ability to serve as a representative of Waterfront Alliance to Alliance Partners and others
• Strong organizational skills and an attention to detail. Set, manage, and deliver on multiple priorities
• Enthusiasm, sense of humor, and a can-do, entrepreneurial approach to nonprofit work.

How to Apply

Apply through this link.  Submit your resume and the answers to the prompted questions. Only complete applications will be considered. Position open until filled. No phone calls please. Applicants must be legally authorized to work full-time in the U.S. and should not require employment sponsorship now or in the future. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Waterfront Alliance encourages applications from all individuals  regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, marital status, physical ability or any other  legally protected basis.