Assistant Director of Riverside Tennis

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 the 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 Assistant Director of Riverside Tennis is a full-time, year-round position within the Riverside Park Conservancy. The position plays a critical operational and community-facing role in supporting tennis activities in Riverside Park at the 96th Street, 119th Street, and Fort Washington courts.

Reporting to the Director of Riverside Tennis, the Assistant Director manages day-to-day administration, player services, communications, and volunteer engagement. Operating primarily out of new mobile office space at the 96th Street location during the tennis season, the Assistant Director helps ensure an outstanding experience for players and visitors, efficient operations across multiple locations, and strong community connection to tennis in the park.

The Assistant Director collaborates with the Riverside Tennis Association Steering Committee and RPC departments (Volunteer Initiatives, Development, Programming, Communications, Operations, and Finance) to support the vision of tennis as a vital, community-serving resource in Riverside Park.

Key Responsibilities

Administration & Program Operations

• Oversee day-to-day administration of all tennis lessons and programs across the three court locations, including managing reservation and payment systems, scheduling lessons and programs, processing cancellations, rescheduling sessions, issuing refunds, and providing feedback on program performance.
• Develop and recommend process improvements and technology tools that make tennis operations more efficient, user-friendly, and transparent for both staff and players.
• Ensure accurate processing of invoices and payments for vendors, coaches, and instructors in coordination with RPC’s Finance team.
• Support the Director with tracking program enrollment, revenues, expenses, and other key metrics; assist with preparing reports and dashboards for RPC leadership and the RTA Steering Committee.
• Oversee compliance of tennis activities and programs with RPC and NYC Parks policies, rules, and safety standards across all sites.

Player Services & Customer Experience

• Serve as a primary point of contact for players, parents, and participants—answering questions, resolving issues, and providing timely and accurate information about programs, schedules, policies, and weather-related changes.
• Manage daily communication around court conditions, schedule changes, and special events, working closely with the Director to ensure coordinated messaging.
• During the tennis season, maintain a visible on-site presence at the 96th Street courts and regularly visit the 119th Street and Fort Washington courts to support staff, observe operations, and engage with the tennis community.

Volunteers & Community Engagement

• Partner with RPC’s Director of Volunteer Initiatives to recruit, train, schedule, manage, and retain volunteers; identify meaningful roles for volunteers at events, programs, and on-court or near-court activities.
• Plan and lead the execution of community engagement activities—such as tennis picnics and parties, volunteer days, family events, and neighborhood gatherings—under the strategic direction of the Director and in alignment with RTA Steering Committee priorities.
• Serve as the primary contact for tennis-related volunteers, cultivating a welcoming, appreciative, and inclusive volunteer culture.

Communications, Marketing & RTA Community Support

• Oversee and manage regular communications with the Riverside Tennis community, including email updates, newsletters, and other outreach to players, volunteers, and coaches.
• Work with the Director and RPC’s Communications team to keep tennis-related web pages, registration portals, and digital communications accurate and up-to-date.
• Help implement event promotions and program marketing to grow participation and highlight the role of tennis in the broader Riverside Park community.
• Support fundraising efforts for Riverside Tennis, including event logistics, donor communications, and stewardship activities led by the Director and RTA Steering Committee.

Partnership with the RTA Steering Committee & Internal Teams

• Provide administrative and logistical support for RTA Steering Committee activities as needed (e.g., preparing program reports, sharing data, helping to coordinate meetings or events).
• Collaborate with RPC colleagues in Operations, Finance, Development, and Volunteer Initiatives to align tennis operations with broader organizational practices and standards.

Leadership & On-Site Support

• Serve as a key thought partner to the Director of Riverside Tennis in problem-solving operational challenges and elevating the player and visitor experience.
• Act as the on-site lead in the Director’s absence, including responsibility for day-to-day tennis operations, staff support, and communication with the public.
• Help foster a positive, team-oriented environment among seasonal staff, volunteers, and coaches, modeling RPC’s values and expectations for professionalism and public engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Associate’s Degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience in nonprofit program administration, operations, or similar roles, with a strong preference for experience in recreation, sports, or public programming.
• Experience working with program budgets and tracking revenue and expenses.
• High computer competency and comfort with Microsoft Office Suite and other software platforms; experience with registration or club-management software is a strong plus.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills; ability to improve systems and processes over time.
• Enthusiastic supporter of tennis and a strong understanding of the needs of the tennis community.
• Passion for public parks, community-serving recreation, and Riverside Park Conservancy’s mission.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal), including experience communicating with diverse stakeholders via email, phone, and in-person.
• Highly collaborative; comfortable working across departments and building strong relationships with staff, volunteers, and community members.

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 during the majority of work hours during the 9 month tennis season.

We offer a competitive compensation package, which includes medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance, 401(k)+match, commuter benefits, flexible spending, and generous paid leave.