Director of Programs

Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation•New York, NY

1d•$115,000 - $13,500

About The Position

Brooklyn Bridge Park (BBP) is looking to hire a strategic, creative, and operations-oriented programming leader to serve as its Director of Programs. In 2025, BBP undertook a pivotal investment in its future as a dynamic civic space for all by adding free public programs and education to its core mission. With the recent arrival of the Park’s inaugural Chief Program Officer, BBP is now poised to build on a legacy of wide-ranging free public programming in arts, recreation, fitness, cultural and seasonal celebrations, and youth activities. The Director of Programs will have a rare opportunity to co-create and strategically grow BBP’s free public programs in the arts and other areas. This role will manage a portfolio of free public programs focused on arts and culture and will oversee the team’s systems for planning and delivery across all program areas. The successful candidate will work closely with the CPO to create new cultural programs that more deeply connect New Yorkers and visitors to the Park, driven by BBP’s public service mission and a vision of the Park as an engine of creativity and inspiration for world-class artists, local communities, and visitors. The ideal candidate will bring creativity, a strategic mindset, a track record of artistically and operationally strong programming, and a robust equity lens.

Requirements

Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in public programming, ideally in parks, cultural institutions, nonprofits, or other public/civic spaces.
Experience implementing and leading the entire lifecycle of a public programs portfolio.
Strong curatorial vision and a network of relationships with artists and creatives.
Experience designing inclusive programs and engaging diverse urban communities.
Strategic thinker and operational executor who brings entrepreneurial energy to improve existing systems and build new ones.
Budgeting, scheduling, and resource management expertise.
Familiarity with NYC’s cultural, community, and civic ecosystems, especially in Brooklyn.
Excellent communicator comfortable working cross-functionally and managing nuanced relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
History of managing full-time and seasonal/project-based teams.

Nice To Haves

Live music experience preferred, commissioning experience a plus.
Experience with multi-use public outdoor space preferred.
Candidates with multilingual skills and/or lived experience reflective of Brooklyn’s communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Develop, execute, and scale new free public programs in partnership with the CPO.
Lead a robust portfolio of free public programs, with focus on arts and culture offerings.
Support the execution of Brooklyn Bridge Park’s first programming strategy.
Lead development, implementation, and evaluation of program operations systems, including budgeting, scheduling, booking, and production management planning.
Support risk management, safety protocols, and regulatory compliance for public programs.
Forge new and sustain existing relationships with artists, cultural organizations, community groups, city agencies, local schools, and other key stakeholders.
Actively engage residents and underrepresented communities in program development.
Represent Brooklyn Bridge Park at public forums and community events as requested.
Support a full-time Deputy Director of Public Programs, a full-time Manager of Public Programs, and 15-20 seasonal staff.
Partner with colleagues on Legal, Finance, Operations, Public Affairs, Development, Capital Projects, and Facilities teams to ensure effective and aligned execution.
Collaborate with peers on the Education and Permits and Special Events teams to amplify impact across the department.
Champion an inclusive, collaborative team culture focused on innovation, accountability, and public service.

Benefits

403B (retirement plan)
Company-funded retirement plan
Paid vacation time (up to 25 days)
Sick days (12)
Paid holidays/float days (15 days annually)
Remote Fridays (when programming needs to not require an onsite presence)
FMLA and other paid leaves (based on eligibility)
Tuition and professional development reimbursement
Medical, dental, vision, Healthcare FSA, Dependent FSA, Commuter Benefits, Life, and Long-term Disability Insurance
BBP vendor discounts at restaurants, food markets, and other eateries
Other corporate discounts on movie tickets, theme parks, and more!