Job Description

 Position Title: Operations Director

Supervisor’s Title: Executive Director

FLSA Status: Exempt

Positions Supervised: Marketing Coordinator

Creation/Revisions Date: June 4, 2025

 PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The Operations Director provides highly responsible oversight, leadership, and day-to-day management of the District’s operations. This position plans, directs, and implements centralized support services to optimize teams and operationalize the District’s strategic vision, goals, and policies. The Operations Director has primary responsibility for internal and external communications and risk management, and oversees special initiatives and projects as assigned by the Executive Director. The Operations Director serves as a member of the District’s leadership team and has direct engagement with the Board of Park Commissioners, staff, community partners, vendors, consultants, and the public.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES:

1. Develops and executes strategic and tactical plans for the division to align with and support the organization's mission, vision, goals, and priorities.
2. Supports operationalizing the District’s mission, vision, goals, and objectives by clearly defining desired outcomes, developing and maintaining the annual work plan, and establishing and reporting on key performance indicators (KPIs).
3. Collaborates across divisions to ensure a timely, accurate, and streamlined information flow that supports high-performing teams and outcomes that align with District priorities. Identifies, implements, and sustains process improvements, including cross-functional initiatives.
4. Identifies internal support needs and strategically deploys available administrative staff resources.
5. Plans, directs, and implements consistent, accurate, and timely routine and crisis communication strategies to build awareness and trust with the community.
6. Adopts the tone of the District and serves as the Public Information Officer.
7. Writes and publishes compelling, on-brand content.
8. Leads special projects and initiatives as assigned by the Executive Director.
9. Plans, directs, and implements risk management processes in conjunction with District stakeholders.
10. Plans and directs administrative support operations and projects to ensure consistent, efficient, and professional clerical and office support functions.
11. Develops, implements, and maintains administrative operations policies and procedures to advance District goals and comply with applicable regulations.
12. Develops, monitors, and manages the division’s operating budget.
13. Coaches, mentors, and trains direct reports to support District goals, policies, and procedures. Provides ongoing performance management, conducts evaluations, and addresses performance or behavioral issues by setting clear expectations and delivering constructive feedback.
14. Creates a culture where information sharing, team-based resolutions, and cross-training, are encouraged, and staff is held accountable for goal achievement and results.
15. Fosters an inclusive work environment that respects diverse ideas, backgrounds, and styles. Supports diversity through the selection, management, and retention of diverse employees. Actively cultivates a culture of employee engagement and belonging.
16. Maintains current and relevant level of knowledge to enhance functional skills and apply them to organization practices and processes.
17. Performs other duties as assigned.
18. May assume the responsibilities of the Executive Director in his/her absence or as directed.

 QUALIFICATIONS:

 Required Experience:

• Eight years of increasingly responsible experience in operations, communications, or public administration, with at least four years of leadership experience.
• Experience in public relations, project management, and/or risk management is strongly preferred.

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, communications, administrative management, or related field(s).

Professional Licenses/Certifications: None.

Knowledge/Skills:

• Demonstrates advanced communication skills with the ability to convey messages clearly and effectively to diverse audiences.
• Knowledge of administrative operations required to optimize functional teams.
• Knowledge of, or ability to gain knowledge of, public relations and marketing preferred practices.
• Knowledge of, or ability to gain knowledge of, risk management preferred practices.
• Knowledge of identifying, developing, and implementing process improvements to support teams.
• Knowledge of, or ability to gain knowledge of, a wide range of industry and District-specific practices, trends, and nuances.
• Knowledge of, or ability to gain knowledge of, applying applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations to all work.
• Produces and delivers professional-quality written documents, marketing materials, and reports.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Adobe.
• Proficiency, or ability to gain proficiency, with registration software, accounting software, and work order software is preferred.

Competencies:

• Ability to quickly absorb and evaluate diverse information to guide effective and timely decisions.
• Ability to quickly learn and independently apply organizational policies, procedures, and regulations to all responsibilities.
• Ability to operationalize strategic initiatives.
• Takes initiative, proactively identifies opportunities for improvement and takes action to move work toward completion, and approaches problems with a solution-oriented approach.
• Holds high standards and insists on high quality work product for self and organization.
• Possesses strong attention to detail and produces work product with a high level of accuracy.
• Exhibits adaptability and resilience in taking on diverse responsibilities while effectively navigating changing priorities and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Follows through and holds agreements without prompting.
• Effectively plans and structures work by assessing tasks, setting appropriate goals and priorities, and establishing achievable timelines aligned with organizational objectives.
• Handles sensitive situations and confidential information with professionalism and discretion.

 WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Work is performed in an office environment.
• Prolonged periods of time may be spent using a computer, telephone, and other office equipment.
• Some work will be performed in settings with exposure to varying environmental and weather conditions.
• The position will occasionally be required to lift and carry up to 10 pounds.
• This position will require seeing, talking, walking, standing, bending, crouching, crawling, carrying, pushing, and pulling.
• Some local travel will be required for meetings and visiting District facilities.
• Valid Washington driver’s license (required). 

Required Experience:

• Eight years of increasingly responsible experience in operations, communications, or public administration, with at least four years of leadership experience.
• Experience in public relations, project management, and/or risk management is strongly preferred.

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, communications, administrative management, or related field(s).

About PenMet Parks

Peninsula Metropolitan Park District PO Box 425 – Gig Harbor, WA 98335 253-858-3400 – info@penmetparks.org www.penmetparks.org

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