Deputy Director

Gowanus Canal Conservancy (GCC) is seeking a Deputy Director to oversee planning and implementation of our work to build an equitable, thriving and resilient urban ecosystem in Gowanus — its waterway, urban forest, parks and open space — through education, stewardship, and advocacy that empower our community.

On the cusp of our 20th year, GCC has a proven track record of high-impact place-based programs engaging volunteers, K-12 students, youth apprentices, businesses, property owners and other neighbors. At a time of significant neighborhood change and investment, with the Superfund clean-up of the canal, an 80-block rezoning bringing 20,000 new residents to the neighborhood, and the development of a 20-acre network of parks and public space, GCC is scaling our capacity to manage new public spaces, to sustain and increase community engagement, to hold agencies and property owners accountable for capital commitments, and to support the growing neighborhood. A key strategy towards our vision is our facilitation of the formation of a Business Improvement District (BID) to ensure the maintenance of the public realm in Gowanus, to guarantee that all members of the community can enjoy emerging parks and public spaces, and to reinforce a vibrant live-work neighborhood.

Position Description

The Deputy Director is a newly created role designed to help lead GCC through a pivotal period of growth and transformation. Working in close partnership with the Executive Director (ED), the Deputy Director will lead organizational management, strengthening programs and operations while advancing GCC’s mission. As a key member of the senior leadership team, this person will play a central role in shaping GCC’s next chapter. The ideal candidate will bring vision, adaptability, and an entrepreneurial approach to mission-driven leadership. They will mentor and support our talented staff, ensure effective program implementation, align strategy across the organization, strengthen systems and processes, and plan for sustainable growth.

In the first year, the Deputy Director will focus on the responsibilities outlined below. As GCC continues to grow, responsibilities will evolve and may be refined or transitioned to new team members. This role is expected to scale in scope and impact over time, offering opportunities to lead strategically, foster creativity and collaboration, and help drive lasting change for the organization and community.

Team Oversight, Management and Mentorship

• Directly supervise and mentor 5-6 Managers / Senior Managers that oversee and implement GCC’s programs and operations: Garden Senior Manager; Nursery Senior Manager; Community Stewardship Manager; Youth Development Senior Manager; Education Senior Manager and Communications & Outreach Senior Manager
• Provide support for Senior Managers in their supervision of 6 Coordinators and Seasonal Employees and approximately 20 Interns and Apprentices annually.
• Facilitate team and cross-team collaboration and decision-making
• Partner with ED and staff to build a vision for team development and growth, including:
  • Planning organizational evolution and management structures
  • Developing job descriptions and advancement pathways
  • Coordinating professional development and retention strategies
  • Integrating youth workforce development into the overall staffing strategy

Strategic Organizational Development

• Work closely with ED, Staff, Board, BID Steering Committee, and partners to guide organizational development in line with GCC’s Theory of Change
• Support consultant and staff in completion of GCC’s Strategic Plan (to be finalized January 2026).
• Oversee staff in implementation of the Strategic Plan, including:
  • Developing programmatic strategies
  • Tracking progress toward organizational outcomes
  • Measuring and communicating success
• Report on programmatic activities at quarterly Board meetings and collaborate with Board committees as needed.

Financial Planning and Management

• Partner with ED and Development Director to develop, manage, and report on the organizational budget.
• Oversee development and management of expense budgets, supporting staff in financial planning and management.
• Oversee compliance with grant and contract deliverables and expenditures.
• Oversee select grant reporting and invoicing with support from relevant staff and bookkeeper.
• Manage proposals for maintenance contracts and related negotiations, with support from the ED and Garden Senior Manager.
• Support Development Director in implementation of organizational and programmatic fundraising
• Support the ED, Bookkeeper, and Board Treasurer on financial and compliance matters, including audits, insurance, and fiscal policies.

Operational and Site Planning

• Oversee internal systems and processes to support cross-organizational collaboration and effective project management (current systems include Salesforce, Google Calendar, Asana, ArcGIS, Shopify).
• Develop and maintain organizational policies and procedures, with ED and relevant staff
• Partner with ED and relevant staff to oversee planning and management of GCC’s physical sites, including:
  • Office space, including planning, development, and construction of an indoor classroom
  • Temporary and permanent field sites, including the native plant nursery, outdoor classroom, and stewardship headquarters
  • Negotiation and management of leases and license agreements with agencies and property owners

External Partnerships and Communications

• With ED, oversee and strengthen partnerships with agencies, property owners, and community organizations.
• Support staff in managing and deepening collaborations with educators, community groups, funders, and other stakeholders.
• Support coordination of external programmatic communications with Communications & Outreach Senior Manager.
• Represent GCC at coalitions, public meetings, and neighborhood forums, serving as an ambassador for the organization’s mission.
• Build relationships with peer organizations to share best practices and resources.

Preferred Qualifications

Note: These qualifications are guidelines, not absolute requirements. If you have approximately 75% of the qualifications listed, we encourage you to apply.

Experience

• 10+ years of related experience with progressive responsibility, including:
  • NYC Public realm management (e.g., BIDs, conservancies, public agencies or other nonprofits)
  • Financial management (budgets, planning, financial reporting)
  • People and team management (direct supervision, mentorship, conflict resolution, performance management)
• Proven relationship-building skills and the ability to navigate sensitive and politicized environments.
• Experience collaborating with city, state, and federal agencies, private property owners, and diverse community partners.
• Knowledge of and connection to the Gowanus neighborhood.

Skills and Approach

• Deep emotional intelligence and capacity to support a diverse team and community.
• Demonstrated creativity, initiative and an entrepreneurial approach to mission-based work and community engagement.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving, time management, and prioritization abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to talk, hear, sit, stand, walk, use hands, and reach with arms.
• Communicating information with co-workers, stakeholders and/or the public; reading correspondence and/or instructions; writing correspondence and/or reports and filling in forms, using video conferencing.
• Some work is performed outdoors in an urban environment. Employee will potentially experience weather conditions like heat, cold, rain, and snow.

Schedule

This is a full-time, salaried position, 40 hours per week, and may require occasional evenings and weekends. The role is primarily in person at the GCC office in Gowanus, and outdoors at sites throughout Gowanus, with some flexibility for hybrid work.