Director of Riverside Tennis at Riversideparknyc

About Riverside Park Conservancy & the Riverside Tennis Association:Riverside Park Conservancy (RPC) is a nonprofit organization that works in partnership with the City of New York to restore, maintain, and improve Riverside Park and its neighboring waterfront parks for all New Yorkers. Stretching for six miles along the Hudson River, the park provides essential open space, recreation, and community connection for residents of Manhattan's West Side and beyond.Improving the park's resources for learning and playing tennis is a signature component of this vision and has historically been a key focus of Riverside Park Conservancy. The public red clay tennis courts at 96th Street (Oscar Hijuelos Clay Courts), along with the 119th Street and Fort Washington courts, provide high-quality, affordable tennis in a beloved neighborhood park setting. Tennis in Riverside Park is more than a sport-it is a gateway to active living, social connection, and community stewardship.The Riverside Tennis Association (RTA) is a volunteer advisory group of community members, players, and stakeholders who work in partnership with Riverside Park Conservancy to help shape the vision, priorities, and community engagement strategies for tennis in the park.Position Overview:A new role, the Director of Riverside Tennis is a full-time, year-round position within Riverside Park Conservancy. The Director will be responsible for the overall leadership, strategy and management of activities and operations at the Oscar Hijuelos Red Clay Courts at 96th Street, and to a lesser extent the hard tennis courts at 119 th Street and Fort Washington Park at 172 nd Street.Operating primarily out of new mobile office space at the 96 th Street location during the tennis season, the Director will oversee all tennis programming (youth, adult, camps, community events), player experience and community engagement related to tennis. The Director will supervise the Assistant Director of Riverside Tennis and a small team of seasonal staff and will work closely with contracted seasonal tennis coaches, vendors and RPC groundskeeping staff responsible for maintaining the courts and surrounding park.The Director reports to the President & CEO of Riverside Park Conservancy and partners closely with the RTA Steering Committee, as well as RPC's Operations, Finance, Development, Volunteer, Communications, and Programming teams.Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Partnership with the RTA Steering Committee
• Provide vision and leadership for all tennis activities in Riverside Park, fulfilling the mission to provide accessible, high-quality and diverse opportunities for everyone to engage with the sport in a public park setting.
• Work in close partnership with the RTA Steering Committee to:- Shape the strategic direction of Riverside Tennis- Identify community needs and opportunities- Set priorities for programs, tournaments, community events, and capital or amenity enhancements at the courts
• Attend Steering Committee meetings (generally quarterly); prepare and present updates on programs, player feedback, general operations, fundraising and community engagement.
• Collaborate with RPC leadership and the Steering Committee on multi-year strategic planning for tennis activities, including accessibility, quality and community impact.
• In consultation with the RTA Steering Committee, help ensure the smooth design, execution, and evaluation of adult and youth tennis programs at all three court locations, including group lessons, private lessons, cardio tennis, ladders, leagues, tournaments, and clinics.
• Ensure programs are inclusive and responsive to players of varying ages, abilities, and backgrounds, with attention to equity and community needs.
• Oversee the youth summer tennis camp in partnership with RPC's Director of Sports Camp, including program design, daily schedule, hiring, training and supervision of seasonal camp staff, safety and risk management, and parent communication.
• Regularly review participation data, player feedback, and outcomes; recommend program adjustments and new offerings to better serve the community.
• Court Operations & Facility Coordination
• Ensure smooth daily user-facing operations at the red clay courts at 96th Street.
• Coordinate closely with RPC's Maintenance & Operations and Ballfields teams to facilitate the timely seasonal opening and closing of the red clay courts, ongoing clay maintenance, rain recovery, safety, and equipment needs (nets, sweepers, windscreens, brooms, lines, etc.).
• Oversee compliance with all contractual obligations and enforcement of RPC and NYC Parks policies, rules, and regulations at all tennis locations.
• Provide onsite supervision and support for all staff and contractors, including the Assistant Director and seasonal staff, creating a culture of excellent customer service and a welcoming public space.
• Community Engagement & Partnerships
• Develop and provide strategic oversight for community-focused events, including tennis mixers and parties, open houses, family days, youth showcases, and other programs that activate the courts as a community hub.
• Cultivate relationships with local schools, community-based organizations, and tennis groups to expand access and participation, especially among underrepresented groups.
• Engage with local elected officials, Community Boards, and neighborhood stakeholders, representing Riverside Tennis as a critical public amenity and community asset.
• Foster partnerships with organizations such as USTA and other tennis and recreation providers to bring additional resources and opportunities to Riverside Park.
• Lead fundraising efforts specific to Riverside Tennis in collaboration with RPC's Development team and the RTA Steering Committee, including donor cultivation, small events, sponsorships, and community campaigns.
• Serve as the primary spokesperson for Riverside Tennis; respond to press inquiries in coordination with RPC's Communications team.
• Oversee marketing of programs and events (email, website, social media, onsite signage), ensuring that messaging is timely, accurate, and consistent with RPC's and RTA's respective brands.
• Support the Assistant Director in developing and executing communications with the tennis community, including newsletters and participant updates.
• Administration, Finance & Reporting
• Develop annual operating budgets and forecasts for tennis operations in collaboration with RPC's Finance and Operations teams; monitor performance to budget and prior year; identify opportunities for growth and efficiency.
• Prepare regular financial and program reports for RPC senior staff and the RTA Steering Committee.
• Oversee registration, reservation, and payment systems for lessons, programs, and court-related activities, ensuring accurate, efficient, and user-friendly processes (with the Assistant Director handling day-to-day administration).
• Approve timecards for staff and ensure accurate payroll submissions in coordination with RPC's Finance and HR teams.
• Maintain accurate tracking and documentation of program revenues and expenses.
• Team Leadership & Organizational Culture
• Directly supervise the Assistant Director of Riverside Tennis and seasonal staff; provide coaching, performance feedback, and professional development.
• Model and cultivate a high-performing, collaborative, and inclusive team culture.
• Work across RPC departments, serving as a bridge between tennis operations and wider park initiatives, including youth development, volunteer programs, sustainability, and special events.Qualifications
  • Bachelor's or Associate's degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience, including at least 5 years in nonprofit management or leadership with responsibilities in staff supervision, budget oversight, and community engagement.
  • Experience in sports management, recreation, or facility operations strongly preferred.
  • Deep enthusiasm for tennis, familiarity with tennis programming and a strong understanding of the needs and culture of the tennis community.
  • Demonstrated commitment to public parks, community-serving recreation, and equitable access to high-quality public amenities.
  • Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills, including excellent public-facing instincts and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments.
  • High level of professionalism, integrity, and sound ethical judgment.
  • Comfort working across departments and with diverse teams; experience collaborating with volunteers, community leaders, and advisory/steering committees is a plus.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and comfort learning registration/club-management platforms and other software tools.Physical Work Environment
    • Work is performed both outdoors on tennis courts and indoors in office settings.
    • Must be comfortable traveling regularly between the 96th Street, 119th Street, and Fort Washington tennis courts
    • Valid NYS Drivers License
    • Ability to lift up to 40 lbs with appropriate equipment.
    • Comfortable working in all weather conditions.
    • Must be able to work variable hours, including weekends, early mornings, and evenings, during the tennis season and for special events.
    • Must be able to maintain a consistent, visible presence at the 96th Street courts for the majority of work hours during the 9 month tennis season . click apply for full job details