Manager of Community Engagement

The Manager of Community Engagement cultivates and maintains relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders that includes community-based organizations, cultural institutions, offices of elected officials, and community boards.  Through strategic partnerships and intentional engagement, this role plays a critical part in building sustained connections with communities across all five boroughs of New York City, expanding the High Line’s reach and relevance citywide. By connecting these groups to the organization’s broader goals, the Manager of Community Engagement ensures the High Line remains an inclusive, welcoming space for the local community and City at large. 

This position reports to the Director of Public Events and Special Projects and works closely with the Public Events & Community Engagement Coordinator, and is a full-time exempt position with a salary range of $70,000 - $80,000, based upon experience and qualifications.

Primary Responsibilities 

• Work with leadership to develop a community engagement strategy that builds meaningful partnerships and drives engagement with New Yorkers from all five boroughs to the High Line, connecting diverse communities to the High Line.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with community-based organizations (e.g., tenant and neighborhood associations, block associations), offices of elected officials, faith-based institutions, cultural organizations, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), small and large businesses, individual community members, and other relevant networks to strengthen citywide engagement and participation.
• Represent the High Line at community meetings and events, including on evenings and weekends. Serve as the primary liaison and internal coordinator for community-facing representation across departments, when appropriate.
• Foster connections with underserved and underrepresented communities across the City to help create a more people-centered and equitable public space.
• Develop strategies to expand the High Line’s community engagement outreach and visibility during peak programming months on the park.
• Manage the planning and execution of community engagement events on the High Line including key initiatives (Neighbors Council, West Side Fest, our community wellness classes, and more), ensuring clear goals, strong participation, and measurable outcomes.
• Collaborate across High Line departments to align community focused efforts with the organization’s goals and initiatives, ensuring partnerships translate into sustained engagement and impact.
• Develop and maintain systems for tracking community partnerships, engagement activities, and outcomes, using both qualitative and quantitative data to inform decision-making.
• Establish and maintain feedback mechanisms to increase organizational responsiveness to community needs, and strengthen trust
• Keep an active registry of key social service and cultural organizations and their program offerings.
• Support occasional cross-functional projects led by the Director of Public Events and Special Projects that intersect with community engagement, public programming, or special initiatives.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of five years experience in the nonprofit and/or public sector (e.g., working for an elected official and/or government entity) with experience in community engagement and organizing and an understanding of civic processes and community dynamics.
• Demonstrated experience building relationships with diverse communities and navigating public-sector or nonprofit environments in New York City.
• Demonstrated experience building and sustaining partnerships across diverse communities, including citywide or multi-neighborhood initiatives.
• Ability to work with and motivate others, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple stakeholders, projects, and priorities effectively.
• Solid written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and training expertise.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and inspire others to take action around important initiatives.
• Experience applying community engagement and facilitation techniques, including the use of data assessment tools to track and assess the impact of activities.
• Proficiency in a second language (e.g., Spanish, Chinese) and familiarity with neighborhoods on the West Side of Manhattan preferred.
• Ability to synthesize information quickly.
• Sound decision-making skills with an understanding of when to seek input.
• Self starter with a sense of humor.
• Willingness and ability to work weekends and evenings.
• Excellent computer skills, including Google Workplace. 

This is a Full-Time, exempt position.

The salary range is $70,000 - $80,000, based upon experience and qualifications.

The location for the role remains hybrid, with a requirement to physically report to the office a minimum of 3 days per week (located in Manhattan's Meatpacking District in New York City).

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Paid primary and secondary caregiver leave
• 20 Vacation days, 7 sick days, and 10 paid holidays with floating holidays & Winter Fridays
• Discounts Citi Bike Membership
• Discounts with vendors at the High Line & around the Meatpacking neighborhood
• Free entrance to the Whitney Museum
• Supplemental short-term disability insurance and paid life insurance
• Commuter benefits
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Contribution in a 403(b) retirement plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Growth & Development

About Friends of the High Line:

The High Line is both a nonprofit organization and a public park on the West Side of Manhattan. We’re devoted to reimagining public spaces to create connected, healthy neighborhoods and cities through our work with communities on and off the High Line. Built on a historic, elevated rail line, the High Line was always intended to be more than a park. You can walk through the gardens, view art, experience a performance, enjoy food or beverage, or connect with friends and neighbors while enjoying a unique perspective of New York City. Nearly 100% of our annual budget comes through donations.

The High Line is owned by the City of New York, and we operate under a license agreement with NYC Parks.

EEO Statement:

The High Line is guided by a series of values through which we make decisions, including hiring. These values include proactively creating access points for all people, regardless of age, sex, color, creed, race, income, country of origin, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

As part of our commitment to living up to these values and advancing equity within our organization and through our work, we are committed to an equitable hiring process. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people with a broad range of lived experiences. This description shall not be construed as a contract of any sort for a specific period of employment.

If you have a disability and need help with the application process:

• Email [email protected] to request accommodations (like alternative formats, extra time, etc.)

Important clarification:

• This email is ONLY for requesting disability accommodations
• Resumes sent to this email won't receive special treatment in the selection process
• The only special consideration will be providing the specific accommodation you need to complete the application fairly