Job Description

Executive Director of Iconic Explore Washington Park – Hybrid, Portland, OR

“Become part of someone’s story.”

Title: Executive Director

Salary: $115,000–$130,000

Location: Hybrid – 3 days a week onsite

Acumen is deeply honored to partner with Explore Washington Park (EWP), the gateway to some of Portland’s most beloved cultural and natural treasures, from the Oregon Zoo to the Japanese Garden, to the World Forestry Center and Hoyt Arboretum. EWP is seeking a bold, strategic, and people-centered Executive Director to lead this dynamic ecosystem, delivering an exceptional visitor experience through strong, on-the-ground operations, coordinated marketing and communications that promote access, and deep, multi-agency partnerships.

This is not a conventional nonprofit ED role—not just because of the mission, but because of the park-scale operating environment and the breadth of partnership required. It’s a signature role at the intersection of public service and place-based experience to shape how millions of people experience Washington Park each year, diversify funding streams, and lead a high-performing team while working with a complex board of civic, cultural, and public-sector stakeholders.

Why This Role Matters

Washington Park is a living, breathing system; a place where nature, culture, and city life intersect. As Executive Director, you will:

• Lead a multi-stakeholder ecosystem: Make visitor-centered operational and transportation decisions in partnership with city bureaus, cultural institutions, transportation partners, and neighborhood representatives; choices that impact millions of visitors.
• Operate a high-traffic public system: Manage shuttles, parking, access, visitor flow, and marketing and communications to promote transit and offsite parking options, set expectations, and make limited onsite parking work while ensuring safety, equity, and outstanding visitor services.
• Innovate revenue streams responsibly: Protect current funding while introducing new partnerships and programs that enhance access and sustainability.
• Inspire and empower a talented team: Lead a small, high-performing, and passionate staff, aligning them around shared goals and impact.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and execute a vision for Washington Park that unites visitor-centered operations, transportation options, and financial sustainability.
• Translate complex city and stakeholder dynamics into actionable plans.

Board and Stakeholder Management:

• Serve as the primary liaison to a 10-member governing board and multiple partner organizations.
• Navigate competing priorities with diplomacy, transparency, and consensus-building.

Operational Oversight:

• Oversee day-to-day park operations, including a parkwide free shuttle system, traffic management, offsite parking services, visitor information services, and park planning. Ensure high standards for safety, accessibility, and visitor services.
• Coordinate with cultural institutions within the park and oversee marketing and communications to build awareness of transit options, reduce the need for car trips, and provide timely information for park visitors.

Revenue Diversification:

• Identify and implement new revenue streams while maintaining existing funding sources.
• Develop partnerships, sponsorships, grants, and programming that align with Washington Park’s mission.

Organizational Management and Finance:

• Lead organizational management, including budgeting, financial planning, forecasting, and day-to-day fiscal stewardship.
• Oversee administrative functions and systems (contracts and vendors, policies and compliance, and operational reporting) to ensure a well-run, accountable organization.
• Partner with the board and staff to establish annual goals and manage resources to deliver safe, accessible, visitor-centered operations.

Team Leadership and Development:

• Hire, coach, and mentor a small staff of 7.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture that encourages innovation, accountability, curiosity, and celebration.

Performance and Evaluation:

• Track and report on key transportation indicators and financial health.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder organizations or systems.
• Strong track record in operations that impact the public directly, preferably in transportation or visitor experience settings.
• Demonstrated ability to manage boards and public-sector relationships effectively.
• Experience translating systems‑level analysis into practical operating models, workflows, and decision frameworks.
• Strategic thinker with financial acumen and experience in diversifying revenue.
• Political savvy, diplomatic skills, and comfort operating in nonprofit and public sector environments.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to lead, mentor, and inspire small teams.
• Familiarity with public-facing amenities, cultural institutions, or civic infrastructure is preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in public administration, business, or related field a plus.

What You’ll Achieve

• Strengthen Washington Park as a world-class, accessible, and welcoming destination through visitor-centered operations and outstanding visitor services.
• Create practical, sustainable strategies for revenue growth.
• Guide a small team to deliver big impact.
• Foster a culture of innovation, inclusion, and accountability across all aspects of park operations.

Procedure for Applying

To apply or see our other positions available, please go to Acumen Executive Search to submit a resume and brief cover letter indicating your interest in the opportunity. If our current open positions are not the right fit for you and you would like us to share relevant opportunities, please send your resume and a brief cover to info@AcumenExecutiveSearch.com. 

About Explore Washington Park

Explore Washington Park is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to connecting people with the culture, diversity, and wonder of nature in Washington Park. Our mission is to provide an accessible, inclusive, and cohesive experience for all who visit Portland’s destination park. Explore Washington Park was established in 2013 in partnership with Portland Parks & Recreation and cultural institutions in the Park and is funded primarily through the Park’s parking meter revenue. For more information, please visit explorewashingtonpark.org.

Washington Park is one of Oregon’s top tourist destinations and one of Portland’s oldest parks. At 410 acres, it is home to the Hoyt Arboretum, Portland Japanese Garden, World Forestry Center, Oregon Zoo, and the International Rose Test Garden, as well as memorials, an archery range, playgrounds, tennis courts, picnic areas, and 15+ miles of trails.

About Acumen

Established in 2007, Acumen Executive Search is a 3-time recipient of the Portland Business Journal’s “Most Admired” Award and is recognized as the leading certified woman-owned Executive Search Partner in the Pacific Northwest with a global clientele.  We deliver high-impact results and higher than national average retention rates while nurturing genuine long-term relationships.  Acumen works shoulder-to-shoulder with our clients to deliver customized, meaningful, and proven leadership solutions that empower organizational success.

Keywords