Project Manager

The Civic Joy Fund is seeking a strategic and detail-oriented Project Manager with excellent interpersonal skills to guide the design, delivery, and ongoing stewardship of new public spaces throughout San Francisco. The ideal candidate will be passionate about San Francisco’s civic life and public spaces, and thrive at the intersection of project management and community engagement. This role will manage budgets, permits, contractors, and on-site logistics, while also building deep relationships with neighbors, merchants, property owners, and public officials.

To apply, please email your resume and cover letter to hiring@civicjoyfund.org. Note we're only accepting applications via email.

Position Overview

As Project Manager, you will be responsible for the planning, implementation, and activation of public space improvement projects, including pop-up town squares, school streets, and other initiatives. These projects are part of the Civic Joy Fund’s Green Street Fund initiative, which focuses on connecting communities through lasting neighborhood investments. You will lead a coordinated effort overseeing all phases of project delivery, from initial budgeting and site design to local outreach, implementation, programming, and ongoing maintenance.

You will report directly to the Managing Director and work closely with landscape designers, event producers, vendors, city agencies, and community partners to ensure projects are high-quality, on-budget, and embraced by the communities they serve. Some evening and weekend work will be required to attend community meetings, manage installations, and support activation events.

Key Responsibilities

Project Management:

• Develop and manage project budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with scope.
• Secure necessary permits and approvals from city agencies.
• Create site layouts, visual plans, and design concepts in partnership with landscape designers.
• Coordinate with contractors, vendors, and amenity providers to ensure quality and timely delivery.
• Oversee installation of site features, including seating, art, landscaping, and other amenities.
• Plan and oversee ongoing site maintenance in coordination with vendors and stakeholders.
• Manage event-day logistics, load-in, and site readiness.
• Develop and coordinate site programming to encourage active community use.
• Ensure site safety and security planning in collaboration with relevant partners.
• Create structures and systems that enable projects to scale, ensuring long-term impact and replicability.

Community Engagement:

• Conduct outreach to neighbors, property owners, organizations, schools, and local merchants to build support and secure site access.
• Coordinate with core stakeholders to align vision, share progress, and resolve issues.
• Lead neighborhood engagement through a variety of channels: neighborhood meetings, door-to-door outreach, pop-up events, surveys, and more.
• Successfully engage with city staff and officials.
• Cultivate local stewardship to ensure the ongoing care and maintenance of project sites.
• Build partnerships with local organizations to co-create programming, activation, and long-term community ownership.
• Ensure inclusive engagement by reaching a broad and diverse cross-section of neighbors, including historically underrepresented voices.
• Develop clear, accessible project communications to build understanding and excitement among community members.

Qualifications

• 2 - 5 years of experience in urban design, landscape architecture, project management, placemaking, community organizing, or other related fields.
• Proven ability to manage contracts, budgets, and vendor relationships.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with a keen attention to detail.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a diverse set of stakeholders.
• Capacity to move project plans from concept to implementation, with attention to design, permitting, logistics, and community engagement.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiarity with San Francisco’s civic landscape is a must.
• Passion for civic engagement and a commitment to enhancing public spaces.
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Flexible, proactive, and solutions-oriented mindset.
• Passion for public space, community building, and civic joy.
• Knowledge of San Francisco's permitting processes and policies is a plus.
• Design skills (adobe, figma, photoshop) is a major plus

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary: $70,000 - $85,000 per year, depending on experience.
• Full-time position with flexible work hours.
• 80% Health, and 100% vision and dental coverage.
• Annual professional development stipend.

About the Civic Joy Fund

The Civic Joy Fund is a San Francisco-based nonprofit revitalizing San Francisco by investing in and organizing projects that bring joy to the streets. Now in our second year of projects, the Civic Joy Fund has brought art, music, and cultural activities to San Francisco’s streets through events like Downtown First Thursdays, The Block Party Fund, Clean Up The City, and Night Markets all across the city.

The Civic Joy Fund is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds who are passionate about building stronger, more engaged communities.

To apply, please email your resume and cover letter to hiring@civicjoyfund.org.