The Engagement Manager – Boston is responsible for public engagement and visitor experience at the Boston Community Gardens, the Boston Waterfront, and Governor Hutchinson’s Field, including public programming and events, and some community and sponsor relationships. The Engagement Manager creates, plans and executes events, programs and visitor experiences. The position is charged with elevating the quality, scope and visibility of The Trustees’ Boston programming and expanding our reputation as a leader and innovator in food justice, open space conservation, community service and horticultural work in Boston, while meeting revenue and participation goals. The Boston Engagement Manager will be actively engaged in DBIE (Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion, and Equity) work

The successful candidate will have a proven track record in event and volunteer management including experience in marketing and public relations. The engagement manager must have an outgoing, engaging personality, possess exceptional organizational, planning, verbal, and written communication skills, be cool under pressure, and have a warm yet polished demeanor. The engagement manager must excel at building and nurturing relationships and have experience with and passion for working with diverse communities. A love of the outdoors, a thorough knowledge of gardening, an understanding of coastal climate resiliency and issues around urban parks equity, and the ability to connect with visitors of all ages, personalities and interests are key to success.

The position reports to the Vice President of Urban Outdoors and supervises two full-time positions: the Boston Community Gardens Garden Programs Coordinator and the Boston Waterfront Initiative Engagement Manager. The position liaises and collaborates with a cross section of the Trustees departments and aligns with statewide initiatives and strategies. The position is full-time with benefits and requires a flexible schedule, including frequent weekend and evening work.

Essential Functions

Create, Develop, Plan, Market and Manage Implementation of Year-Round Public Programming:

• Further develop and expand a creative, exciting, and inclusive annual plan to increase community engagement and food access, and participation for the Boston Community Gardens. Programs will cater to families and individuals and include gardening workshops and conferences, community gatherings, festivals, and holiday-themed programming.

• Work closely with the Boston Waterfront Initiative Engagement Manager to develop a creative, exciting, and inclusive annual calendar of programs for families, children, and individuals, building and deepening community engagement. Programs will include family festivals, outdoor recreation opportunities, wellness programming, holiday-themed programming, and community gatherings.

• Develop and maintain relationships with volunteer community garden and other grassroots leadership, as well as outside service providers including instructors, musicians, educators, healers, food vendors, naturalists, to support garden stewardship, volunteer engagement, program participation, revenue, DBIE and membership goals

• Support grant and individual giving as needed

• Raise the visibility of the Trustees and meet participation goals by creating an annual marketing plan using creative social media campaigns, local publicity, and other traditional and digital communications outreach vehicles. Develop and maintain relationships with city and statewide organizations to increase visitation and program participation.

• Provide on-site support of events through staff and volunteer management and post-event evaluation including metrics analysis and reporting using Trustees software.

• In partnership with the VP, manage budget expenses and revenue to achieve annual financial goals.

• Other duties as necessary.

Enhance Visitor Experience and Grow Trustees Membership:

• Partner with engagement and stewardship staff to ensure exceptional event experience, including cleanliness, safety, visual appeal, availability of information and resources for participant questions or inquiries.

• Share a sense of pride in the properties; instill similar pride in other staff members and volunteers.

• Implement best practices for welcoming program participants and selling memberships where applicable

• Train volunteers and event staff in customer service and membership sales.

The ideal candidate will have energy, enthusiasm, and dedication to providing every program participant and visitor with an authentic, remarkable experience at all Boston properties

• 4+ years of progressively responsible experience in visitor engagement, public programming, education, and/or environmental education

• Bachelor’s Degree

• Extensive garden experience including vegetable crop production, best practices for no-till soil care, organic disease and pest management

• Proven experience in program development and execution; experience planning, facilitating and executing large events including managing vendor relationships, partnerships and volunteer support.

• Successful track record engaging community organizations and developing partnerships.

• Minimum of two years as a manager or supervisor of staff

• Experience in mentoring, evaluating, and providing feedback to employees

• Demonstrated ability to successfully manage multiple deadlines, and deliver high quality projects, programs and/or events on time and within budget.

• Strong understanding of education and visitor engagement best practices

• Quick learner with strong analytic skills and the ability to negotiate multiple technology platforms

• Excellent communication skills - both written and verbal - including comfort level speaking in front of groups and delivering presentations

• Proven experience using social media and digital platforms to drive interest, participation and event attendance

• High regard for teamwork, collegiality, customer service and visitor experience.

• Committed to the mission of the Trustees

• Fluency in Spanish, Haitian Creole, or another non-English language commonly spoken in Boston is preferred.

• Familiarity with Boston neighborhoods is preferred.

Other

Background check required, but a criminal record will not necessarily disqualify candidates.

Working Environment

Both indoor office/remote work and outdoor work in gardens and nursery, including in variable weather conditions.

Physical Demands

Ability to stand for periods of time, navigate uneven ground, and lift 40 pounds required.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time position with generous benefits, based at the Boston Office with frequent travel across Boston and some remote work allowed. Salary range is $58,000 - $64,000, depending on experience.

About The Trustees

The Trustees places are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in what we do. Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, we preserve, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity. We have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. We are a non-profit conservation organization funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households.

The Trustees offers competitive compensation, as well as the opportunity to be part of a dedicated team across the Commonwealth who love the outdoors and the distinctive charms of New England, and who believe in celebrating and protecting our special places, for everyone, forever.

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.

Our commitment to advancing the organization’s vision for this work may be found here: Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity