Director of Public Events & Special Projects

Job Description:

The Director of Public Events & Special Projects will be responsible for designing, coordinating, producing, and elevating mission-aligned public programming across the organization. This role works closely with the Executive Director and departmental leadership to ensure that programming is well-executed, visitor-centered, and logistically sound.

The Director will oversee the coordination and delivery of thematic programming that connects across departments, including major public festivals and cross-functional events (e.g., Arriba, Pride, Halloween, Horticulture Celebration launch events), as well as smaller events such as artists' talks and conversations or horticulture-related virtual and in-person educational programming, while ensuring these programs meet our standards and reflect our organizational values. They will partner with Communications and Development to ensure storytelling, sponsor engagement, and impact data are embedded in all programming efforts.

In addition to managing event logistics and execution, this role retains responsibility for essential administrative and operational functions that are foundational to program execution and evaluation.

Strategic Program Planning & Coordination

• Develop and lead an annual season of integrated public programs and special events that reflect the High Line’s mission, engage diverse audiences, and enhance the visitor experience.
• Collaborate with program departments (Art, Education, Community Engagement, Horticulture) to unify thematic content and ensure consistent quality and relevance.
• Serve as the lead planner and coordinator for the High Line’s largest public events (e.g., Arriba, Pride, Halloween), overseeing internal alignment, logistics, and partnerships.
• Partner with the Executive Director to create special initiatives that deepen visitor connection to the High Line.
• Facilitate long-range planning for public events, including cross-year theme development and evaluation.

Institutional Alignment & Collaboration

• Act as a liaison between program departments and institutional teams (Development, Special Events, Communications, Production, Operations) to ensure seamless collaboration and execution.
• Work closely with Development to align programs with sponsor interests and funding goals.
• Partner with Communications to ensure programs are effectively promoted, documented, and communicated internally and externally.
• Represent public events in cross-functional meetings and external partnerships as needed.

Evaluation, Data & Storytelling

• Oversee program evaluation systems, including survey design, attendance tracking, and data analysis.
• Provide regular reports and narrative summaries to Advancement to support fundraising and storytelling.
• Develop tools and processes to capture, analyze, and share program impact with stakeholders.

Administrative & Operational Support

• Coordinate Eventbrite and internal planning systems, including calendars, Asana task assignments, and Google Forms for event submissions.

• Maintain oversight of budget tracking, grant timelines, and event schedules.
• Manage agreements, contracts, and interdepartmental communications related to programs and events.
• Continue to support and refine internal processes for cross-departmental collaboration and event execution.

Requirements

• At least 6 years of progressive experience in public programming, cultural production, event planning, or nonprofit arts/engagement.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking, with experience developing and executing large-scale public events aligned with organizational mission and values.
• Experience managing partnerships, program/event evaluation, and data-informed storytelling.
• Demonstrated excellence in project management, communication, and organizational skills—essential to driving complex, cross-functional initiatives from concept to execution.
• Experience building and managing budgets.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, collaborative, and evolving environment.
• Strong commitment to equity, inclusion, and community-centered programming.

Preferred skills:

• Familiarity with the NYC cultural or parks sector.
• Experience working in nonprofit or public/private hybrid environments.
• Spanish proficiency or multilingual skills a plus.

This position is based at the High Line headquarters in the Meatpacki