Director of Placemaking and Activation

Job Description

Placemaking | Hybrid in Tysons, VA | Full Time | From $120,000.00 to $150,000.00 per year

 

JOB DESCRIPTION

 

The newly established Tysons Community Alliance seeks an experienced Director of Placemaking and Activation to be a founding member of our leadership team. The Director will play a key role in designing and implementing strategic programs to address placemaking priorities of the new organization and for Tysons overall.

About Us:

 

The Tysons Community Alliance (TCA) is an independent, non-profit (501(c) 6) community improvement organization, committed to the transformation of Tysons, VA into a vibrant, inclusive, globally attractive urban center where all thrive. By facilitating collaboration, activating places, promoting Tysons and place management, TCA coordinates, plans, and leverages resources to make Tysons a thriving, diverse and competitive urban community. In this first year, the Alliance anticipates s a budget of $3-4 million, with initial funding provided by the Fairfax County Government, and plans to hire a startup staff of 14.

Position Summary:

The Director of Placemaking and Activation is responsible for enhancing and programming Tysons’ emerging amenities and integrating them into a comprehensive, unified, and high-quality urban identity. They will direct the development and implementation of distinctive events, landscaping, pop-ups, parklets, wayfinding and other improvements in the public realm to attract and serve visitors, employees, and residents.

Primary Responsibilities:

The Director will develop and lead strategic programs to address core priorities of the organization’s strategic plan (to be completed in Fall 2023), which are focused on catalyzing, creating, and activating dynamic public spaces, including but not limited to the following:

Public Space Design Fundamentals and Principles

• Develop a Tysons placemaking and connectivity framework – a set of urban and public space design fundamentals and principles, informed by the mobility and transportation goals of the Tysons Comprehensive Plan, and vision of pedestrianization. Build support and strategic partnership with private and public sector officials to adopt and implement the framework.
• Lead development and implementation of a comprehensive wayfinding system reflective of the Tysons brand.

Public Space Development and Improvement

• Catalyze and participate in small-scale pilot projects, such as pocket parks or parklets, in partnership with County and other public entities as well as with private developers.
• Support the public arts program to engage and foster community pride and celebrate its diversity.

Space Activation

• Create and manage a supportive place activation program by facilitating a range of events such as concerts, street performances, farmers markets, and creative new programming.
• Partner with local businesses and community organizations to help communicate identity and build community through events and activations.
• Activate vacant and underutilized spaces with programs such as pop-up markets, temporary art installations, and other innovative uses.

Streetscape Improvements

• Upgrade and beautify the Tysons streetscape through introduction of a vibrant and coordinated programs, strategically placed to highlight area attractions.
• Develop a vision for, and coordinate with public and private stakeholders to implement, attractive, high-quality, low-maintenance street furnishings that contribute to a contemporary, developing Tysons aesthetic.

Internal Program Coordination

• Coordinate closely with TCA Transportation and Mobility program to set common goals for mobility, particularly pedestrian and cycling, to ensure that Transportation and Mobility program functions, such as transportation demand management and capital planning, support the Placemaking and Activation program agenda and vice versa.
• Support TCA Communications and Branding programs relevant to events beautification and activation goals.
• Collaborate with the Research and Business Support team to provide insight into the development of the TCA’s research agenda and to use market research and data to ensure placemaking activities drive goals of economic growth and inclusive development.
• Manage a small staff team (1-2 FTE with potential additional PTE or contractors) in executing placemaking programs.

Scope:

This position is part of the key leadership team, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, and supervises staff. Exercises programmatic leadership in major programming initiatives. Represents the organization to stakeholders at all levels, local and regional government officials, partners, contractors, and vendors. Exercises broad authority in the expenditure of approved placemaking budget around half a million dollars.

Qualifications, Skills and Attributes:

The Director of Placemaking and Activation must be a strong leader with strategic vision and highly developed management skills, to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, and to generate outstanding level of productivity focused on organizational goals. Must be a highly skilled communicator, able to build collaborative and innovative public and private-sector relationships, and to effectively motivate and manage other professional staff. In addition:

• Minimum seven years’ professional experience in placemaking, urban planning, landscape architecture, community events, or related area. Nonprofit experience and/or focus on public/private partnerships preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in urban planning, landscape architecture, community development or related area preferred.
• Experience with budgeting, cost analysis, and data research and collection required.
• Familiarity with the local business, land use, development and government environment is desirable.
• Outstanding level of judgement, problem-solving skills and discretion required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required to reach government agencies, commercial developers, stakeholders, and community members effectively. Knowledgeable about practices and principles for engaging diverse and underrepresented community voices.
• Must be a team player and able to adapt to evolving priorities and lead through a critical startup period.

Compensation:

We offer a starting salary range of $120,000-$150,000, depending on experience, plus a comprehensive benefits package including 401(K), Health, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability coverage, Transit/Parking, and ample paid time off.

The responsibilities of this position call primarily for in-person presence, including occasional weekends and evenings, with some opportunity for remote work.