Part-time Executive Director (2025)

Organization Overview

Zilker 351 is a non-profit organization dedicated to stewarding Zilker Metropolitan Park for current and future generations. The 15 non-profit organizations that comprise Zilker 351 have decades of experience in the park providing fun activities and important services like the free summer hillside musical, Kite Fest, summer camps for kids without the barrier of cost, volunteer cleanings of Barton Springs Pool and environmental education for park visitors and visiting students. We serve park visitors from all parts of the Austin community who love and cherish Zilker’s natural beauty, iconic places and beloved traditions. By working together, our organizations have a greater impact on the park and its visitors.

While still in early stages of the organization’s evolution, we are thrilled to be conducting our search for our first executive director. Armed with a Work Plan and a highly skilled and enthusiastic Board of Directors, working with Zilker 351 will be a great opportunity for a resourceful, creative and experienced community leader to make a big impact on Austin’s future.

Primary Responsibilities:

The Executive Director is the primary executive officer who will serve in the following capacities according to the bylaws, policies, and direction set out by the Board and Zilker 351 work plan.

1. Financial Health

• Together with the Finance Committee and Board, create an annual budget for Zilker 351.

• Work with the President and Board Members, as well as the Advisory Board Members (comprising the 15 Park nonprofit organizations), and the Development committee to raise funds for capital improvement and programmatic projects within Zilker Park identified by the Board, as well as future operational expenses.

2. Communications

• Internal Communications: Communicate regularly to the full Zilker 351 group to share messaging strategy and keep everyone informed and included; offer speaker training for public meetings. Host quarterly meetings or socials of the full group to measure progress.

• External Communications: Utilize public relations strategies developed by PR consultant with website, social media and blog posts, newsletters, email marketing, and news media outreach to share information and boost public image for Zilker 351 and Zilker Park nonprofits. Represent the Zilker 351 and its mission to funders, supporters, community leaders, and the community at-large.

3. Project Management

• Direct and manage the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the park enhancement projects and contractors according to the goals and deadlines set by the Board.

• Meet with partners, stakeholders, city staff as needed.

4. Chief Staff Officer

• Meeting Coordination: Schedule and help prepare for board meetings; provide reports and/or recommendations to the Board as needed; attend board meetings in person or on Zoom.

• Administrative: While still in a start-up phase, it will be necessary for the Executive Director to coordinate with the Board and consultants on administrative tasks.

• Work Plan Implementation: Coordinate with the Board to implement the 2024-2025 Work Plan that sets forth near-term goal areas and program strategies for Zilker 351.

Qualifications:

The Executive Director must be thoroughly committed to the mission of Zilker 351, and should have proven leadership, fundraising, and organizational management expertise. Concrete demonstrable experience and other qualifications include:

1. Key Criteria:

• Must be an experienced and effective public speaker.

• Demonstrated success in fundraising and operations management.

• Undergraduate degree, with at least 2 years of senior nonprofit management experience; ability to point to specific examples of having developed and operationalized strategies that have taken an organization to the next stage of growth.

• Three to five years of successful project management supervision.

2. General Requirements:

• Positive attitude, self-directed, high integrity, and enthusiasm for Zilker 351’s mission.

• Strength in operations, management, budgeting, and financial management practices.

• Excellent people skills, responsive and prompt. Excellence in personality management with ability to guide consultants, manage teams and develop strategic work plans.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Knowledgeable of politics and the sensitivities of its processes.

• Inclusive, attuned to a broad set of audiences and open to all perspectives.

• Capacity to understand cultural differences (e.g. rural/urban, ethnic, socio-economic, political) and ability to diplomatically seek common ground and build bridges for success.

• Strategic thinking to discern trends and develop a vision. Ability to understand the big picture while paying attention to detail to develop and implement short-term operational and long-term strategic plans and goals. Innovative thinking that also honors the importance of tradition.

3. Additional Preferred Expertise:

• Action-oriented, entrepreneurial, adaptable, and innovative approach to business planning.

• Strong existing relationships with complementary agencies and organizations.

• Robust marketing, public relations, and fundraising experience with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders.

4. Benefits:

• Flexible 20-hour work week schedule. At times when evening and weekend work will be necessary, time off may be taken in the week to balance a 20-hour schedule.

• Salary commensurate with experience.

5. To apply:

• Candidates are asked to send a cover letter with a resume and references to info@zilker351.org. All inquiries will be treated confidentially.