| 

PRESIDENT
ALLEGHENY COUNTY PARKS FOUNDATION

The Allegheny County Parks Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan, independent organization has launched a national search to recruit a President.

Overview

The Allegheny County Park System consists of approximately 12,000 acres in 9 regional parks that basically surround the city of Pittsburgh. The parks are located about a 15 to 20 mile radius from downtown. The park system is rich in recreational, natural and historic resources and has the potential to be one of the finest county park systems in the nation. It also has tremendous potential to generate revenue from its assets to help with renovation of the facilities and development of recreational programs, and general operations.

The financial challenges facing Allegheny county parks have been a source of concern for a long time. In 2000 and 2002 the financial issues that needed to be resolved were identified and outlined in two comprehensive studies. In 2007 the American Institute of Leisure Resources was asked to lead a team to analyze current revenue operations and the potential for additional sources of revenue for the county park system. As a result of the study it was very apparent that the county park system needs to develop strategies to capture private sector funding, modernize policies regulating annual fees and charges for park facilities, programs and services.

On September 27, 2007 County Executive Dan Onorato announced the establishment of the Allegheny County Parks Foundation. With the establishment of the Allegheny County Parks Foundation, many of the goals and recommendations in the Allegheny County Parks Comprehensive Master Plan can be implemented. The funds will be used for deferred maintenance, recreational improvements and facility enhancements. The County has directed $1 million from its operating budget to start the foundation and set aside $10 million from the capital budget to match what the foundation is able to raise.

Its mission of the Allegheny County Parks Foundation (Foundation) is to assist Allegheny County in the maintenance, improvement, protection, preservation, and restoration of Allegheny County park facilities, and to support educational and recreational activities.

President

The President will lead and overseeing all functions of the Foundation in accordance with policies established with the Board of Directors. The President should aspire to help protect and enhance the character of the County’s park system. The President will also serve as a community leader helping to advance planning activities and other outreach steps to enhance support for the county parks system. Moreover, the President will need to closely interact with public agencies on important maintenance planning and critical capital projects. In addition the President will oversee capital projects which will be undertaken by the Foundation. In this capacity the President will work to address critical policy and legislative issues which impact the county parks system. Moreover, given the need to build a forward looking operation the President should possess sophisticated project management and entrepreneurial capabilities.

The President will serve as a visionary and strategic leader working in partnership with the Board, County leaders and other critical community stakeholders in creating an organization that generates considerable private sector funding support the county park system and all those who are served by it. The President should display an entrepreneurial mind and innovative capacity to find new ways to raise funds and do work in a manner that provides tangible benefits to Allegheny County Park System.

The President will report to a Board of Directors comprised of private sector, county, community and philanthropic leaders and will be based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The broad goals and objectives facing the President include:

• To lead the Foundation in development of strategic business plan identifying key fundraising, personnel, and program objectives in alignment with the goals and recommendations of the Allegheny County Parks Comprehensive Master Plan.

• To engage the services of private persons or entities, including governmental entities, to provide services or to further the purposes of the Foundation as deemed appropriate by the board of directors.

• To purchase or lease real estate as deemed appropriate of the board of directors.

• To administer for charitable purposes property donated, in kind or in cash, or otherwise transferred to the corporation.

• To enter into agreements with Allegheny County or other governmental entities, to engage in activities consistent with its purposes.

• To enter into contracts with third parties to plan, develop, construct, and operate park facilities within the control of the Foundation.

• To support and advance the exposure to nature for all citizens in the county and protect that natural features of the county parks.

• To continue to develop a plan for the future by cultivating, expanding and empowering the Foundation’s Board of Directors, advisors, and partners.

• To provide organizational leadership for the Foundation and foster a culture which recruits and retains top-level professional staff.

Professional Qualifications and Personal Attributes

Beyond these objectives, the President should ideally possess the following professional qualifications and personal attributes:

• A demonstrated conservation ethic and a commitment to serve Foundation’s mission.

• An understanding and knowledge about county park systems and issues related to infrastructure, major capital projects and park service delivery systems.

• Demonstrated ability to increase fundraising with individuals of high net worth, private and family foundations and corporations, and a willingness to try new ideas in fundraising.

• Experience working with county, state, and national public policy leaders and an understanding of the role of municipal agencies and other community planning bodies serve in policies regulating annual fees and charges for park facilities, programs and services.

• Demonstrated leadership and business acumen, a proven record leading organizational growth and effectiveness, engaging and fully utilizing a Board, and comfort in dealing with the budgeting process, project coordination and management of staff and financial resources.

• Articulate, high energy, intellectually inquisitive, and possessing impeccable integrity.

• Superlative interpersonal skills.

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred.

Compensation

The compensation for this opportunity has been designed to attract a person of significant accomplishment. Compensation for the President includes a competitive base salary, and an excellent package of health, pension and other fringe benefits.

Interested candidates should send a brief cover letter and resume to:

Daniel Sherman
President
Explore Company
Washington, D.C. 20007
E-mail: resumes@explorecompany.com
Fax: 202-333-3475
Please include ACPF President in the subject line.

Download This Job Posting

Web site by Marc Nathan and Simply Computers Plus