Director of Parks, Recreation & Public Property

We Are Hiring for a Director of Parks, Recreation & Public Property

The City of Omaha is partnering with Potrero Group in search of our next Director of Parks, Recreation & Public Property. This strategic implementer and leader will guide the Parks and Recreation Department toward its bold goal of becoming a Top 10 ParksCity in the United States.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the realization of Omaha’s vision, bridging the gap between ambitious
  planning and operational excellence
• Oversee the planning, development, and maintenance of public parks, facilities,
  recreational programs, natural areas, public properties, and capital projects
  throughout Omaha
• Manage a $66 million operating budget and a multi-disciplinary team of full-time,
  part-time, and seasonal staff spanning landscape architecture, urban forestry,
  golf and aquatics, recreation programming, and public property management
• Lead the end-to-end delivery of major capital projects, including the planning and
  development of a new state-of-the-art sports complex, ensuring work is
  completed on time and on budget
• Cultivate high-level public/private partnerships with the Omaha Parks
  Foundation, Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, MECA, local sports
  organizations, philanthropic foundations, and community groups
• Champion equitable access to parks, facilities, and programming across all
  Omaha neighborhoods, with a specific focus on underserved communities
• Represent the City at public meetings, City Council sessions, and community
  forums, and serve on boards and commissions, including the Omaha Parks
  Foundation and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

Core Competencies and Experiences

• Strategic Leadership and Implementation
  • Extensive administrative and management experience in parks and
    recreation or a related public sector field, with a city of comparable size or
    larger
  • Demonstrated ability to translate bold vision into concrete operational plans
    strategies, timelines, and measurable outcomes
  • Experience developing and implementing strategic plans and master plans that align with broader city goals
  • Comfortable working closely with elected officials, senior city leadership, and appointed boards and commissions
• Operational Excellence
  • Proven ability to oversee large, complex departments with diverse operational functions across a multi-disciplinary workforce
  • Strong financial acumen with experience developing and managing multi-million-dollar public sector operating budgets
  • Track record of modernizing systems, building organizational capacity, and driving a culture of excellence and continuous improvement

Capital Project Expertise

• Proven experience managing major capital projects from planning through
  construction and completion, on time and on budget
• Familiarity with the full project lifecycle, including community engagement,
  design, procurement, construction management, and closeout
• Knowledge of bond financing, grant funding, and public/private investment
  strategies that support large-scale park development

Partnership Coordination and Community Engagement

• Track record of cultivating successful public/private partnerships with
  foundations, boards, philanthropic organizations, and community groups
• A visible, approachable leadership style with strong communication skills across
  government, nonprofit, business, and community sectors
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex environments with professionalism and
  sound judgment while maintaining trust with elected officials, community
  advocates, and the public

Education and Credentials

• Bachelor's degree in public administration, parks and recreation management,
  landscape architecture, or related field; Master's degree preferred
• CPRP or CPRE certification preferred

COMPENSATION This is a full-time, exempt, benefit-eligible position. The expected salary range is $180,000–$200,000, commensurate with qualifications. The City of Omaha offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance with major medical, vision, and dental coverage for the individual and family, HSA funding, a defined benefit pension program, 14 paid holidays, and generous paid sick and vacation leave.

LOCATION This position is based in Omaha, Nebraska. The Director is expected to be
present and engaged across the city's parks system and community. Possession of, or
the ability to obtain, a valid Driver's License is required.

TO APPLY Please visit PotreroGroup.com/Omaha and select "Apply Here"
Applications should include a resume and a cover letter describing your qualifications
that match the position criteria and what you will bring to the role. Interested candidates
should apply by April 30, 2026, for priority consideration. For additional information,
please contact Andrew Leider, Managing Director, at [email protected].

The City of Omaha is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse
and an inclusive leadership team that reflects the rich cultural diversity of our community.