Posted 6/8/26
Memorial Park Conservancy is seeking a Vice President of Strategy and Planning to help lead the next chapter of one of the nation’s most ambitious urban park transformations. Based in Houston and reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, this executive will serve as a key strategic and operational partner in advancing the Conservancy’s mission to preserve, restore, and enhance Memorial Park. The role comes at a pivotal moment as the Conservancy builds on a decade of major capital investment, ecological restoration, and organizational growth to shape the park’s long-term future. With Memorial Park spanning 1,500 acres, attracting millions of visitors annually, and serving as both a major civic asset and an ecologically significant urban park, the opportunity is broad in scope and public impact.
The Vice President of Strategy and Planning will oversee strategy, planning, capital project delivery, and administrative functions that support organizational effectiveness and the long-range vision of a world-class urban park. In close collaboration with the CEO and senior leadership team, this individual will align priorities across conservation, operations, visitor experience, partnerships, and project implementation, ensuring that the Conservancy’s ambitious Master Plan and Ten-Year Plan translate into coordinated, measurable outcomes.
The ideal candidate will be a senior leader with executive presence, strong judgment, and the ability to operate effectively in a complex, public-facing environment that requires diplomacy and cross-sector partnership. Experience working across strategy and execution, particularly in infrastructure, landscape, engineering, nonprofit operations, or similarly complex settings, will be highly valued, as will the ability to build trust with government, community, and institutional stakeholders. This is a compelling opportunity for a collaborative, strong leader who is energized by the mission of Memorial Park Conservancy and the opportunity to help define and deliver its next era of park stewardship, strategic alignment, and civic benefit.
Memorial Park Conservancy offers a competitive salary and benefits package. The salary range for this position annually is between $185,000 - $200,000 and will be commensurate with experience. Benefits include paid time off, paid holidays, family/individual health insurance coverage, a retirement savings program, life insurance, bonus potential, and more.
Applications and nominations are being received by Kittleman & Associates, LLC. To apply, please send a current resume and letter of introduction. We are reviewing applications as they arrive. For best consideration, your application must arrive on or before Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
For more information about Memorial Park Conservancy, visit https://www.memorialparkconservancy.org/
Memorial Park Conservancy – VP of Strategy and Planning Position Guide
Skills Required
- Executive leadership with strong judgment and executive presence
- Proven experience in strategy and long-range planning, translating master plans into measurable outcomes
- Experience overseeing capital project delivery and complex infrastructure or landscape projects
- Ability to operate in a complex, public-facing environment with diplomacy and cross-sector partnership skills
- Demonstrated experience building trust with government, community, and institutional stakeholders
- Background in nonprofit operations, infrastructure, landscape, engineering, or similar complex settings
What We Do
Kittleman & Associates is an executive search firm dedicated exclusively to nonprofit leadership. It helps nonprofit organizations identify and recruit CEOs and executive directors, combining customized search processes, analytics, sector expertise, and hands-on guidance from consultants with nonprofit leadership or board experience. The firm also advises clients on leadership transitions and succession, supporting organizations across a broad range of nonprofit sectors.
