River Liaison Manager

Position Summary

The River Liaison Manager is a grant-funded, pilot position that will serve as a model for Schuylkill River, Delaware River, and riverfront place-based engagement and activations with nearby communities. The manager will play a vital role in connecting nearby communities, particularly historically under-represented populations, with meaningful opportunities to experience, shape, and care for the rivers.

This position will be responsible for ensuring that the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers are welcoming, safe, and accessible for all, and that they reflect the needs, interests, and aspirations of the communities they serve. They will work collaboratively to facilitate, manage, expand community relationships, stewardship initiatives, programming, and physical amenities along and adjacent to the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers.

In close collaboration with the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation communications team, the River Liaison Manager will develop and implement strategies to promote both existing and new programs, elevate community stories, and increase participation in public events and stewardship efforts. The manager will work across departments and with external partners to strengthen relationships, grow capacity for local engagement, support partnership development, and champion the riverfront as a vibrant, inclusive public asset.

This position recognizes the critical role of the rivers and riverfront in the broader social, environmental, and economic fabric of the neighborhood and will ensure programming and improvement are informed by and aligned with the extended communities’ priorities.

Essential Functions

Management of River and Riverfront Spaces:

• Responsible for creating a safe and welcoming experience for all river and river adjacent parkland users.
• Follow established maintenance plans and provide feedback on their effectiveness; advocate for modifications based on community input and usage trends.
• Manage and coordinate partnerships with organizations like The Schuylkill Navy of Philadelphia (SN), Schuylkill Paddlers Incorporated (SPI), East Fairmount Park Coalition, Registered Community Organizations, Riverfront North Partnership, Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, and neighborhood groups to ensure we offer just, safe, and accessible spaces for all park and river users. 
• Staff Coordination and On-Site Support:
• Ensure that Philadelphia Parks & Recreation staff (including Rangers, grounds maintenance workers, skilled trades staff, special events staff/partners, and ambassadors), police officers, coordinators from other city agencies, and other on-site park representatives are assigned appropriately, communicating effectively, and delivering high quality experiences (including river events) to visitors and adjacent neighbors.
• Provide PPR leadership with insights into the use of the river and river adjacent parkland, daily operations, developing challenges, and potential solutions.
• Act as a visible, responsive presence in the park and at river-related events, helping resolve logistical issues and ensuring staff are supported and aligned with PPR standards and community engagement goals.

Community and Partnership Engagement:

• Serve as liaison to existing partners and continue coordinating program plans and events, as well as exploring other opportunities for collaboration and new partnerships with a focus on increasing river engagement and access of historically under-represented communities contiguous to the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers.
• Build working relationships with local community and civic organizations, attending community meetings to share programming and activities, develop shared goals, and design mutually beneficial events and initiatives. Likewise, they will consider opportunities to utilize the river and adjacent park land as a space to showcase and elevate community leaders.
• Collaborate with the PPR communications team to amplify programs and initiatives through culturally responsive messaging, community media, and targeted outreach strategies.

Coordination and Promotion of Inclusive Programming:

• Coordinate and collaborate with partners to lead place-based programs that are relevant, engaging, and accessible.
• Support and enhance efforts to elevate awareness of existing programming on the rivers. Focus on engagement with established stakeholder groups to enhance awareness and participation as well as help identify potential community volunteers to help facilitate and sustain programs.
• Conduct program planning and a year-round calendar of innovative programs based on the potential for deepening river connections to neighborhoods of Philadelphia contiguous to the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers.
• Support citywide PPR initiatives and special projects as needed.
• Other Duties as Assigned.

• Required Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders such as event partners and sponsors, the public, and local, civic, and business officials.
• Highly organized and capable of tracking files, content, and projects in a systematic manner.
• Outstanding verbal and written communications skills.
• Ability to apply creative thinking and sound judgment to the formulation and execution of program strategy, vision and direction.
• Demonstrated understanding of, and support for, key precepts in diversity, equity and inclusion and an ability to support others in creating diverse, equitable and inclusive programs.
• Ability to work effectively within a local government environment and with multiple stakeholders and partner organizations; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with PPR colleagues, City government partners, outside consultants and vendors, local and national subject matter experts, community groups, and individual Philadelphia residents.
• Enthusiasm for addressing challenges and driving innovation.
• Ability to handle a complex and varied workload and manage internal and external deadlines across a multitude of projects.
• Creative, collaborative, and flexible with an eye for detail.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and exhibit flexibility.