Executive Director

The Oakland Parks and Recreation Foundation seeks a strategic, community-engaged Executive Director to grow its impact across Oakland's 130 city parks and expand equitable access to recreation and civic culture citywide.

The Oakland Parks and Recreation Foundation (OPRF) is entering its next chapter with deep community trust, a proven programmatic platform, and significant opportunities to grow the resources flowing into Oakland's parks. For more than four decades, OPRF and its predecessor organizations have kept Oakland's system of 130 parks open, beautiful, and accessible, supporting fiscal sponsorship and back-office assistance for more than 25 community groups, advocacy for clean and well-funded parks, youth scholarships serving up to 600 children annually, and community stewardship and capital projects across the city. The incoming Executive Director will build this history and standing to secure the organization's next chapter of impact across parks, recreation, and civic culture citywide.

The ideal candidate is a credible fundraiser and trusted convener who is comfortable cultivating a major donor, partnering with a City department head, and standing in a park on a Saturday morning with a volunteer crew. This is an opportunity to lead a lean, high-impact organization with deep grassroots credibility and translate it into a larger, more durable flow of resources for Oakland's parks and the people who use them.

Compensation

This is a full-time, exempt, benefit-eligible position. The anticipated annual salary range is $150,000–$165,000. The range provided is an estimate and will be evaluated on an individual basis, taking into consideration the candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities, experience, and education.

OPRF offers a competitive benefits package, including:

• Health, dental, and vision coverage through Kaiser Permanente paid 100% for employee; dependents can be added at employee expense
• 403(b) retirement account via Human Interest
• 41 days time off accrual inclusive of sick time, vacation/PTO, federal and California mandated holidays, and personal days
• Learning and development allowance
• Professional meetings and society membership dues and registration reimbursement

Location

OPRF is based in the Adams Point neighborhood of Oakland, California, near Lake Merritt. This is a hybrid position, and the Executive Director will be based locally, with regular in-person presence required for meetings with City staff, elected officials, donors, community partners, board members, and staff, as well as evening and weekend events.

Start Date

Winter 2027

To Apply

Please visit potrerogroup.com/oprf to apply. Applications should include a resume and a cover letter describing your qualifications that match the position criteria and what you will bring to the role.

Interested and qualified candidates should apply by October 16, 2026 for priority consideration. The position is open until filled.

For More Information

For additional information regarding this opportunity, please contact Andrew Leider, Potrero Group Managing Director and Search Lead, at aleider@potrerogroup.com.

More information about OPRF can be found at oaklandparks.org.