Head of Special Projects

Description Are you someone who enjoys taking a big idea, figuring out how all the pieces fit together, and moving it across the finish line? The Galveston Park Board is looking for a Head of Special Projects, with an annual salary of $81,000 , to lead and coordinate high priority initiatives that impact our organization, our community, and the future of Galveston.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, this role works across all Park Board departments and collaborates with City officials, community and business leaders, hospitality partners, consultants, and other stakeholders. The ideal candidate is a strong project manager, relationship builder, researcher, and problem solver who is comfortable managing multiple priorities and bringing structure to complex projects.

What You’ll Do In this role, you will:

• Lead high priority strategic and special projects from initial research and planning through implementation and completion.
• Develop project plans, timelines, milestones, budgets, deliverables, and tracking tools.
• Coordinate projects across Park Board departments and keep internal and external stakeholders informed and aligned.
• Monitor progress, establish next steps, follow up on outstanding items, and keep projects moving forward.
• Identify project risks, obstacles, dependencies, and decisions that require executive attention.
• Provide regular updates and recommendations to executive leadership.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with City of Galveston staff, City Council members, the Mayor’s Office, local business leaders, hospitality partners, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Represent the Park Board in meetings and project discussions as assigned.
• Coordinate stakeholder meetings, presentations, agreements, outreach efforts, and follow up activities.
• Conduct research on programs, partnerships, visitor amenities, operating models, funding opportunities, and potential revenue opportunities.
• Evaluate feasibility, costs, operational requirements, risks, timelines, and organizational impact.
• Prepare reports, presentations, recommendations, and other materials to support executive decision making.
• Manage multiple complex projects and competing priorities simultaneously.

The position will initially support several major Park Board initiatives, including the Tourism Public Improvement District (TPID), Stewart Beach development, Visitor Center relocation, East End Lagoon operating planning, and evaluation of strategic tourism partnerships, with additional projects assigned as organizational priorities evolve. Head of Special Projects 202610

Required What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Project Management, Hospitality, Tourism, Communications, Planning, or a related field.
• Professional experience managing complex projects, strategic initiatives, community partnerships, government relations, business development, or similar cross functional work.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and competing priorities simultaneously.
• Strong organizational, project management, analytical, and problem solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership, elected officials, community partners, and employees throughout the organization.
• Ability to independently research unfamiliar topics, evaluate information, and develop actionable recommendations.
• Strong relationship building and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to coordinate work across departments and move projects forward without direct supervisory authority.
• Strong judgment, professionalism, initiative, and discretion.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and project management and collaboration tools.

Preferred

• Current or previous knowledge of the Galveston Park Board, City of Galveston, Galveston tourism industry, or local business community.
• Experience working with municipal government, elected officials, boards, tourism organizations, hospitality partners, or community organizations.
• Experience managing projects involving multiple public and private stakeholders.
• Experience developing project plans, implementation timelines, budgets, operating plans, or feasibility research.
• Knowledge of tourism, hospitality, economic development, destination development, or coastal recreation. Head of Special Projects 202610

Certifications & Licenses

• Current and valid Class C Driver’s License.
• Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) certification must be completed within the first 90 days of employment. Training will be provided upon hire. Head of Special Projects 202610

Schedule Monday through Thursday, onsite from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Friday, remote from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Occasional evenings, weekends, or holidays may be required based on operational needs. Head of Special Projects 202610

Physical & Work Environment This position primarily works in an office environment but may require attendance at meetings, community events, project sites, and other locations throughout Galveston. The position requires the ability to travel locally by personal or company vehicle, work indoors and outdoors as operationally necessary, and occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds. Head of Special Projects 202610

Benefits

• The Galveston Park Board offers a competitive benefits package, including:
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with a 5% employer match with a 3% employee contribution
• Employer paid short term and long term disability
• Employer paid hospitalization coverage
• Paid time off
• Additional employee perks and benefits

About The Galveston Park Board The Galveston Park Board of Trustees is dedicated to promoting Galveston Island as a premier destination while enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors. Our work spans tourism, beach operations, coastal management, public safety, and destination development, allowing our employees to contribute directly to the future of Galveston Island.

Join Our Team If you enjoy turning ideas into action, building relationships, solving complex problems, and working on projects that have a visible impact on Galveston Island, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today to join the Galveston Park Board as our Head of Special Projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Project Management, Hospitality, Tourism, Communications, Planning, or a related field.
• Professional experience managing complex projects, strategic initiatives, community partnerships, government relations, business development, or similar cross functional work.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and competing priorities simultaneously.
• Strong organizational, project management, analytical, and problem solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership, elected officials, community partners, and employees throughout the organization.
• Ability to independently research unfamiliar topics, evaluate information, and develop actionable recommendations.
• Strong relationship building and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to coordinate work across departments and move projects forward without direct supervisory authority.
• Strong judgment, professionalism, initiative, and discretion.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and project management and collaboration tools.