Park Operations Manager

About Shelby Farms Park

At 4,500 acres, Shelby Farms Park in Memphis, Tennessee is one of the largest urban parks in the country. The Park features miles of paved and unpaved trails, dozens of lakes and ponds, the internationally recognized and sustainably designed Woodland Discovery Playground, a buffalo herd, the FedEx Event Center, a water play sprayground, an outdoor event stage overlooking an 80-acre lake, a treetop adventure course and more.

About Shelby Farms Park Conservancy

Shelby Farms Park Conservancy (SFPC) is the nonprofit that manages and cares for Shelby Farms Park and Shelby Farms Greenline in Memphis, TN. SFPC is responsible for daily management, fundraising to meet operational budget needs, setting the vision for the Parks future, and stewarding its natural resources. SFPC team members are committed to our vision of creating a celebrated 21st-century park that defines and shapes a great city and that provides inclusive, equitable, and free access for each and every resident of the Memphis area.

Position Summary

The Park Operations Manager is a critical leader within Park Operations, overseeing the Park Rangers (Zones 2–6) and the Maintenance Team. This role ensures the safety, functionality, and stewardship of the Park’s natural areas, trails, landscapes, and infrastructure systems through strategic planning, hands-on leadership, and cross-departmental collaboration. The Park Operations Manager plays a key role in delivering exceptional visitor experiences by protecting the Park’s assets and anticipating operational challenges before they impact the public.

This position requires a strong working knowledge of large-scale infrastructure systems (e.g., geothermal, forced main sewage), preventative maintenance, and conservation practices. It also demands expertise in managing projects, people, and vendor contracts—alongside a deep understanding of how to use data and technology to improve systems, extend asset life, and prioritize repairs and improvements.

The Park Operations Manager must effectively balance daily operational needs with strategic initiatives, including infrastructure planning, zone management, and conservation. This individual will collaborate closely with the Associate Director of Park Operations, Heart of the Park (HOP) Manager, and the COO to align workflows, track budgets, and coordinate resources. This role requires a proactive mindset, the ability to mentor and develop staff in the field, and a commitment to continuous improvement across systems, processes, and team culture. The position includes serving as Manager on Duty (MOD) on a rotating basis and working one weekend day per week, with the flexibility to adjust scheduling based on seasonal or operational needs

Key Responsibilities

Leadership Manager on Duty (MOD) Oversight Serve as Manager on Duty one weekend day per week and during other times as needed. Lead park operations in real time during events, high-traffic periods, or emergencies. Maintain a visible presence in the field, make sound decisions under pressure, and ensure the safety of visitors, staff, and park assets. Provide guidance and direction to all onsite operations staff and coordinate cross-team communication as needed. Communicate critical updates, escalate urgent issues, and collaborate with park leadership to ensure a timely and effective response.

Team Supervision Mentorship Supervise, coach, and evaluate the performance of Park Rangers and the Maintenance Team. Conduct regular field-based coaching and hands-on mentorship to ensure quality standards and skill development. Identify individual and team skill gaps and implement training or coaching to close them. Create a team culture of professionalism, accountability, and proactive problem-solving. Support a budget-conscious culture among staff by helping them understand cost implications of their decisions and encouraging resourceful solutions.

Zone Management Field Oversight Oversee the functionality, cleanliness, and safety of Zones 2–6, ensuring inspections, repairs, and visitor experience goals are met. Use MaintainX to manage and track workflows, preventative maintenance tasks, and issue resolution. Collaborate with the HOP Manager to ensure all zones are covered and maintained consistently across teams. Ensure that emergency response procedures are understood and followed by Rangers; coordinate with the Associate Director during incidents.

Preventative Maintenance Repair Oversight Develop and implement a preventative maintenance strategy to reduce costly repairs and extend asset life. Analyze work order trends and inspection data to identify systemic issues and prioritize repairs. Coordinate with the Maintenance Supervisor to align daily, weekly, and seasonal system maintenance needs across zones. Ensure timely reporting and escalation of issues outside of Rangers’ or in-house capabilities.

Project Workflow Management Lead cross-functional projects and capital improvements that require coordination between Maintenance and Rangers teams. Develop and track short- and long-term project plans, including quarterly goals and multi-year planning aligned with the park’s operational and strategic priorities. Track project timelines, budgets, and milestones in collaboration with the Associate Director and COO. Use Trello, Google Suite, and other workflow tools to manage priorities and report on team progress. Ensure project plans are grounded in available resources and developed in coordination with the park’s annual budget cycle.

Vendor Contract Oversight Manage contractor relationships related to infrastructure and system repairs (e.g., electrical, plumbing, geothermal, irrigation). Monitor contract compliance and ensure vendor tasks are completed on time and to standard. Serve as the point person for field verification of completed work before approving invoices or recommending payment.

Collaboration Communication Communicate consistently with the Associate Director about team performance, operational challenges, and systems improvements. Collaborate with the HOP Manager to coordinate work priorities, inspections, and coverage across the Park. Work cross-departmentally with Sales Events, Development, and Marketing Communications to support operational needs and elevate the visitor experience. Consistently track and report inspections, repairs, issue resolution, and preventative maintenance outcomes.

Education and Experience

Required Qualifications

3 years of hands-on experience in park operations, facilities management, landscape oversight, venue operations, or a closely related field

2 years of supervisory experience leading frontline staff in a dynamic, customer-facing environment

Proven ability to lead operations in real time, especially during events, emergencies, or fast-changing conditions

Experience coordinating vendor services and holding contractors accountable to agreed-upon scopes and standards

Proficient with technology tools such as Google Workspace (Sheets, Docs, Calendar), Trello (or other project management tools), and digital work order systems (e.g., MaintainX)

Demonstrated ability to assign and track work orders, perform quality checks, and follow through to completion

Strong communication skills, with the ability to coordinate across departments, provide clear direction to teams, and represent the Conservancy with external partners

Ability to plan, prioritize, and execute projects within defined timelines and budgets

Physically able to work outdoors in all weather conditions, lift up to 30 pounds, and walk long distances across varied terrain

Valid driver’s license and ability to operate park vehicles

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working in a Conservancy, park system, campus environment, or public/private outdoor venue

Background in landscape maintenance, facilities upkeep, with attention to aesthetic and preventative maintenance standards

Bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation, facilities management, business administration, or a related field (not required if field experience is strong)

Personal Qualities

Ability to guide and support teams while promoting accountability and ownership.

Skilled in fostering cooperation across diverse teams and aligning efforts with organizational goals.

Proactive in identifying and addressing issues, with a solutions-focused mindset.

Ensures accuracy in data management, inventory tracking, and quality control.

Demonstrates values of collaboration, accountability, humility, authenticity, trust and learning

Commitment to the consistent production of high quality, detailed work

Organizes, plans, and schedules in an efficient, productive manner

Spirit of inquisitiveness/curiosity

Team player attitude; willingness to complete the most important task at hand

Manages stress in a fast-paced, changing organization

Elicits confidence and builds rapport

Enthusiastic, dependable, self-motivated, and self-aware

Additional Information

This document describes typical duties and responsibilities and is not intended to limit management from assigning other work as required.

SFPC is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer, we will consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, age (40 ), disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status under local, state, or federal law