Parks & Recreation Asst. Director - Greenways & Space

Overview

The Parks & Recreation Assistant Director - Greenways & Open Space is a full-time Civil Service position in the Metro Parks and Recreation department. The incumbent provides executive-level leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for Metro Parks’ Greenways and Open Space Division and the Greenways and Open Space Commission. The role plans, develops, protects, and expands the Metropolitan Parks greenway and open space system, aligning with the Department’s Plan to Play Master Plan, Greenways Master Plan, Nashville Open Space Plan, citywide priorities, and long-range capital investment strategies.

The position oversees a complex portfolio including multi-jurisdictional planning, land acquisition and negotiation, capital project delivery, grant and external funding management, interdepartmental coordination, public-private partnerships, and community engagement. The role exercises significant independent judgment and serves as a key advisor to the Parks Director on policy, funding, risk management, and strategic growth of Nashville’s greenways and natural assets.

Metro’s Parks and Recreation Department offers facilities and programs across Davidson County. The department oversees nearly 16,000 acres of open space, including 184 parks and 107 miles of greenways. Programs include after-school activities, senior programs, cultural arts classes, dog parks, fitness classes, nature programs, sports leagues, ice hockey, art galleries, and more. The mission is to sustainably and equitably provide Davidson County with an inviting network of parks and greenways that support health, wellness, and quality of life through recreation, conservation and community.

• Provides division-wide executive leadership for the planning, development, and stewardship of Metro’s greenways and open space system.
• Establishes strategic goals, performance metrics, and implementation plans aligned with departmental objectives, citywide initiatives, and adopted master plans.
• Leads long-range planning for greenway expansion, connectivity, environmental conservation, and equitable access to open space.
• Represents the department in policy discussions, interagency initiatives, and citywide planning efforts.
• Serves as administrative leadership and Parks liaison to the Greenways and Open Space Commission.

• Directs planning, design, and construction of complex capital projects including greenways, trails, bridges, Trailheads, and related infrastructure.
• Ensures projects are delivered on schedule and within budget, meeting regulatory, environmental, safety, and design standards.
• Coordinates with Planning, NDOT, Public Works, Metro Water, Engineering, Legal, and other agencies to resolve technical, legal, and operational challenges.
• Identifies and mitigates project risks, including right-of-way constraints, environmental sensitivities, and community impacts.

• Oversees land acquisition, easements, licenses, and property negotiations for greenway and open space projects.
• Leads negotiations with private landowners, developers, nonprofit partners, and public agencies.
• Works with Metro Legal and Real Property Services to ensure compliance with Metro Charter, ordinances, and acquisition procedures.

• Oversees division budgets, capital funding, grants, reimbursements, contracts, and financial reporting.
• Develops and manages funding strategies with federal, state, local, philanthropic, and private sources.
• Directs preparation and administration of competitive grant applications, ensuring compliance with funding requirements.
• Provides financial forecasting, scenario analysis, and recommendations to support executive decision-making.

• Develops and manages partnerships with nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, foundations, neighborhood organizations, and regional agencies.
• Represents Metro Parks in public meetings, stakeholder negotiations, and community forums related to greenways and open space.
• Collaborates with partners to leverage external resources…