Special Project Manager, Charlesbank Landing

Esplanade Association

Making life better on the Esplanade

Job Description

The Esplanade Association is seeking an experienced, reliable, and highly-motivated Special Project Manager to manage the organization’s internal work to develop Charlesbank Landing, a signature waterfront visitors’ center building and landscape improvement project proposed for the historic Charlesbank area of the Charles River Esplanade. This position reports to the Executive Director and will work closely with senior leadership, especially the Director of Projects & Planning and the Director of Development. The position will also work closely with EA’s Board of Directors, government partners, and a wide group of external partners, contractors, and stakeholders to redevelop this parcel of the Esplanade on behalf of the public.   
 
About the Esplanade Association (www.esplanade.org):  
The Esplanade Association (EA) is a 21-year-old non-profit dedicated to revitalizing, enhancing, programming, and maintaining the historic Charles River Esplanade in downtown Boston. The Esplanade is a 64-acre park revered for its natural & cultivated beauty, riverfront access, miles of populated running trails, and thoughtful programming. In the last few years, the Esplanade Association has planted over 150 trees under its Lasting Esplanade Arbor Fund (L.E.A.F.) Initiative, curated eight public art murals, produced nearly 75 high-quality annual events, and much more. It's an exciting time to join a growing team at a small, visible, and successful non-profit!  
 
Principal Responsibilities: 
  • Primary management of all aspects of project design and delivery, including program development, permitting and approval, engineering and construction manager oversight, and community relations regarding the effort to construct Charlesbank Landing, within budget, schedule, and political constraints 
  • File or direct the filing of all necessary requests for information and applications for permits to build the project 
  • Lead internal board/staff project team and issue regular reports on project progress 
  • Assist in the selection of and manage other project team members, in coordination with Executive Director, including but not limited to an owner’s representative/construction manager  
  • Manage all project vendors, contractors, and consultants and establish clear expectations and timelines for performance 
  • Refine or establish and manage project budgets, monitor project expenses, and communicate potential variances or changes to key internal and external stakeholders in a timely manner to facilitate appropriate budget management  
  • Identify, request from the ED, and manage needed financial resources for achieving pre-construction and construction milestones and other project requirements, in coordination with organization’s fundraising and finance staff and project partners 
  • Design and conduct public and stakeholder engagement processes to provide transparency and to enhance the community’s understanding of the project from start to finish, while responding to inquiries and incorporating feedback to improve project design and program development 
 
Project Authorization, Design & Permitting 
  • Inform and interact with Mass Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) to ensure a close knit partnership with the owner of the leasehold interest in the Esplanade 
  • Facilitate the execution of the project’s operating lease and its required permits with state agency partners, including needed surveys, appraisals, engineering reports, and Article 97 compliance requirements, in coordination with project partners and consultants, and ensure compliance with terms and conditions 
  • Coordinate schedules and meetings and facilitate next steps with architects, designers, state officials, partners, internal stakeholders, and others to advance the project’s design, building layout, signage, and program development and to prepare needed information for various government reviews and approvals 
  • Identify needed permits and government reviews to ensure timely and complete filings with project partners, Massachusetts government and City of Boston agencies 
  • Use professional expertise to provide technical support to internal project team and consulting architects and engineers during design and construction phase of projects 
  • Manage the site of EA’s temporary operations and any temporary site infrastructure or signage, including but not limited to: lease extensions for EA’s temporary operations site, construction and pre-construction signage, any project within the leased premises from the point of signing an operating lease with the Commonwealth 
  • Support project fundraising objectives by generating and transmitting timely project reports and renderings to development staff and partnering to identify other useful information for potential and existing donors 
 
Construction and Pre-Opening Program Considerations 
  • Prepare and coordinate RFP processes, proposal reviews, and engagement of the construction manager and construction contractor 
  • Review, approve, and report on material submittals and change orders 
  • Monitor quality control processes for adherence to regulations, standards, guidelines, plans and design requirements in order to ensure compliance  
  • Work with senior leadership and key project stakeholders to draft and refine building sub-leases, vendor contracts, and other agreements, including for concessions and anchor programming partners 
  • Facilitate staff planning process for operational use of fields and facilities post-construction, including but not limited to, final planning for furniture, fixtures, equipment, storage, etc.  
  • Prepare and administer furniture, fixtures and equipment budgets and procurement 
  • Prepare initial project operating budgets in conjunction with EA staff 
  • Partner with programmatic and other capital planning staff to complete project/site website and generation of systems and processes to ensure public access to space usage requests and hosting special events and to offer transparency in usage rates, hours, and government reporting 
  • Ensure completion of all post-construction requirements for occupancy, including commissioning of building systems, necessary certificates, inspections and insurance confirmation 
  • Ensure delivery to building owner of all manuals, instructions and other items necessary to operate the building 
 
 
Qualifications:  
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience managing construction projects required. Experience constructing park services buildings, community centers, educational buildings, or other similar public service buildings is preferred.  
  • Bachelor’s degree preferred, ideally in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning, or similar field; relevant Master’s degree or Professional Degree a plus 
  • Experience with city and state construction permit processes, inspection, ADA standards, and environmental permitting entities/processes required. LEED certification, Living Building Challenge, or other green certifications a plus. 
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, with an interest in seeking out and adapting to new technologies  
  • Excellent written, verbal, organizational, coordination and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain strong professional relationships 
  • Ability to handle a variety of responsibilities simultaneously, with a proactive approach to problem-solving, strong attention-to-detail, and consistent follow-through 
  • Ability to set & maintain priorities while still being adaptive to change 
  • Friendly, trustworthy, and team-oriented, with a positive attitude and customer service mentality 
  • Environmentally-conscious, with a passion for public parks, recreation, historic landmarks, and open space 
  
Logistics:  
  • Organizational work hours for office-based staff are Monday through Friday (9a-5p), though this role will require significant flexibility and an ability to work mornings, evenings, and weekends within a predictable schedule that will also seek to provide work-life balance for the successful candidate.  
  • We expect to offer a competitive salary for the non-profit and parks sector in Boston that is commensurate with experience. Performance and compensation are reviewed regularly and EA looks to provide all employees with paths for professional development and promotion within our organization over time.  
  • Paid Time Off, Health, Dental, Health Savings Account, 403(b), and Commuter benefits are available.  
  • Must have a valid US driver’s license. 
  • Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 unless candidate provides a proven medical or religious accommodation.  
  • Must be eligible to work in the United States 
  • Applicants are subject to a Criminal Offender Record Information (C.O.R.I.) check, however, we believe in rehabilitation and will provide any applicant the opportunity to address past work and life occurrences. 
  • Willingness to work in both an indoor and outdoor setting and in all weather conditions. 
  • Will need to bend, stoop, reach, carry, climb, and lift as necessary to perform assigned duties. 
  
Application Process:  
  • Please email cover letter and resume to: jobs@esplanade.org with job title in the subject line  
  • Cover letter should include the answer to this question: “What is one of your favorite public spaces and why?”  
  • Each file name should include applicant’s last name  
  • No phone calls, please  
  
The Esplanade Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer and greatly encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Diversity of opinions, experiences, and backgrounds is a key and valued component of our work to promote a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive experience on the Esplanade through an organization that is itself diverse and inclusive.