Heart of the Park Manager

About Shelby Farms Park

At 4,500 acres, Shelby Farms Park in Memphis, Tennessee is one of the largest urban parks in the country.  The Park features miles of paved and unpaved trails, dozens of lakes and ponds, the internationally recognized and sustainably designed Woodland Discovery Playground, a buffalo herd, the FedEx Event Center, a water play sprayground, an outdoor event stage overlooking an 80-acre lake, a treetop adventure course and more.

 

About Shelby Farms Park Conservancy

Shelby Farms Park Conservancy (SFPC) is the nonprofit that manages and cares for Shelby Farms Park and Shelby  Farms Greenline in Memphis, TN. SFPC is responsible for daily management, fundraising to meet operational budget needs, setting the vision for the Parks future, and stewarding its natural resources. SFPC team members are committed to our vision of creating a celebrated 21st-century park that defines and shapes a great city and that provides inclusive, equitable, and free access for each and every resident of the Memphis area.

 

Position Summary

The Heart of the Park (HOP) Manager is a critical leader within Park Operations, responsible for overseeing the HOP Team and ensuring that high-traffic zones and rental facilities are clean, functional, safe, and visitor-ready. This role demands strong field leadership, project execution skills, and a keen eye for detail—particularly in the areas of facilities cleanliness and upkeep, landscape management, and visitor experience standards.

The HOP Manager must be an effective people leader, able to motivate and develop team members, set high expectations, and create a culture of accountability and pride in the park’s appearance and functionality. They must also understand that the park is a dynamic, interconnected environment where operational decisions often impact multiple departments, tenants, donors, and the visitor experience. As such, clear communication and thoughtful coordination across internal teams and external stakeholders is essential.

As an exempt-level manager, the HOP Manager is expected to adjust their schedule based on operational demands, including events, emergencies, and staff absences. They are required to work one weekend day per week, serving as Manager on Duty (MOD) and acting as the senior-most staff member on-site responsible for protecting visitor safety, park assets, and staff coordination.

This role is hands-on and highly visible, requiring strong judgment, the ability to assign and track work orders, and the discipline to manage projects within timelines and budgets. The HOP Manager works closely with the COO, Sales + Events, Maintenance, and other Rangers to ensure seamless visitor experiences and operational excellence across the park’s busiest zones.

 

Job responsibilities

Leadership + Manager on Duty (MOD) Oversight

Serve as Manager on Duty one weekend day per week and during other times as needed. Lead operations in real time during events, high-traffic periods, or emergencies. Maintain a visible presence, make sound decisions under pressure, and ensure visitor, staff, and asset safety. Communicate critical updates and escalate issues to park leadership when appropriate.

Team Supervision + Development

Supervise the HOP Team with a strong emphasis on accountability, training, and morale. Set clear expectations and create a culture of pride, urgency, and attention to detail. Build and adjust staff schedules to ensure coverage in high-traffic zones and during events. Provide coaching, hands-on field training, and performance reviews. Address performance issues proactively.

Facility and Landscape Oversight

Ensure the cleanliness, functionality, and appearance of restrooms, rental facilities, pavilions, parking lots, lawns, hardscapes, and client-facing amenities in the Heart of the Park and other client facing locations. Conduct or delegate daily inspections, assign work orders through MaintainX, and follow up on resolution. Monitor wear and tear, anticipate issues, and coordinate with the Maintenance team or contractors when escalation is needed. Manage  seasonal openings and closures of visitor services like bike and boat rentals.

Event and Venue Management

Act as the primary liaison between Park Operations and the Sales + Events (S+E) team to support the success of both Conservancy-produced and third-party events. Monitor and track the event calendar regularly to anticipate operational needs. Ensure event spaces are clean, functional, and ready for clients, and coordinate event setup, access, vendor services, and cleanup in partnership with S+E. Communicate regularly with the S+E team and external partners (e.g., Coastal Fish, race organizers, school groups), as requested to resolve issues and align expectations. Proactively plan ahead and involve the HOP Team in early logistics and venue readiness work.

Vendor + Contractor Coordination

Oversee daily performance of contracted vendors such as ServiceMaster, pest control, handy persons, and landscaping providers. Hold contractors accountable to agreed-upon standards and timelines. Schedule services in coordination with park events and visitor patterns. Document performance, escalate deficiencies, and provide recommendations to the Associate Director of Ops and/or the COO.

Cross-Functional Collaboration + Stakeholder Communication

Coordinate across departments—particularly with Sales + Events and Development—when operational issues may affect donor-funded spaces, rental agreements, or client experience. Communicate early and often with internal and external stakeholders. Understand the park’s interconnected systems and the importance of timely, informed decisions that reflect the broader Conservancy mission.

Project Planning + Budget Awareness

Support short- and mid-range operational projects by developing timelines, assigning tasks, sourcing materials, and tracking progress. Understand project budgets and consult with the Associate Director of Operations and COO when scope or expenses shift. Contribute ideas for cost savings and long-term improvements to park functionality and aesthetics.

Operational Systems + Reporting

Use MaintainX to assign and track work orders, document inspection results, and follow up on open issues. Use Trello and Google Workspace to manage workflows and project timelines. Submit regular updates to the COO on team performance, facility and landscape status, vendor contracts, and open operational concerns.

 

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on experience in park operations, facilities management, landscape oversight, venue operations, or a closely related field
• 2+ years of supervisory experience leading frontline staff in a dynamic, customer-facing environment
• Proven ability to lead operations in real time, especially during events, emergencies, or fast-changing conditions
• Experience coordinating vendor services and holding contractors accountable to agreed-upon scopes and standards
• Proficient with technology tools such as Google Workspace (Sheets, Docs, Calendar), Trello (or other project management tools), and digital work order systems (e.g., MaintainX)
• Demonstrated ability to assign and track work orders, perform quality checks, and follow through to completion
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to coordinate across departments, provide clear direction to teams, and represent the Conservancy with external partners
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and execute projects within defined timelines and budgets
• Physically able to work outdoors in all weather conditions, lift up to 30 pounds, and walk long distances across varied terrain
• Valid driver’s license and ability to operate park vehicles

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a Conservancy, park system, campus environment, or public/private outdoor venue
• Background in landscape maintenance, facilities upkeep, or custodial services with attention to aesthetic and functional standards
• Familiarity with event operations, including setup, logistics coordination, and working with internal event teams or external producers
• Bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation, facilities management, hospitality, business administration, or a related field (not required if field experience is strong)

Personal Qualities

• Demonstrates values of collaboration, accountability, humility, authenticity, trust and learning
• Commitment to the consistent production of high quality, detailed work
• Organizes, plans, and schedules in an efficient, productive manner
• Spirit of inquisitiveness/curiosity
• Team player attitude; willingness to complete the most important task at hand
• Manages stress in a fast-paced, changing organization
• Collaborates with people of different races, backgrounds and experiences
• Elicits confidence and builds rapport
• Enthusiastic, dependable, self-motivated, and self-aware

SFPC is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer, we will consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, age (40+), disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status under local, state, or federal law.