Chief Executive Officer, Jax Riverfront Alliance

Gilder Search Group; Jacksonville (FL); On-site; USD 215,000 - 265,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

A nonprofit organization in Jacksonville is seeking a founding Chief Executive Officer to lead the Jax Riverfront Alliance. The CEO will be responsible for executing a strategic vision, building a strong team, and enhancing public-private partnerships for the development of downtown parks. The ideal candidate will have a track record in park management and a strong commitment to community engagement. The position offers a competitive salary between $215,000 and $265,000, along with health and retirement benefits.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated passion for parks and public spaces.
• Significant leadership experience in a relevant field.
• Proven track record of operating and activating public spaces.

Responsibilities

• Establish and execute the strategic vision for the organization.
• Build a high-capacity team and strengthen relationships with stakeholders.
• Galvanize support from residents, businesses, and donors.

Skills

Leadership

Parks management

Community engagement

Public-private partnership experience

Strategic vision execution

Job description

Chief Executive Officer, Jax Riverfront Alliance

Kittleman and Associates -Jacksonville, FL, United States

Posted 11/19/25

The Jax Riverfront Alliance (JRA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to stewarding a bold vision for Downtown Jacksonville’s riverfront through the implementation, activation, and enhancement of a world-class system of parks and public spaces. The founding Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Jax Riverfront Alliance will build an innovative, collaborative, and sustainable organization that leverages substantial investment in premier parks and greenspaces to reshape and reinvigorate Jacksonville’s downtown for generations to come.

The founding CEO of the Jax Riverfront Alliance will have a rare opportunity to oversee the creation of a public-private parks partnership that is ambitious in its objectives, broadly supported in its aims, and unconstrained by past precedent. The CEO will be responsible for establishing and executing JRA’s strategic vision; building a high-capacity team; strengthening JRA’s relationship with elected officials, municipal agencies, community organizations, partners, and developers; and galvanizing support from residents, businesses, and donors for the organization’s goals. With a premium on building trust in both the organization and the public-private partnership construct, the CEO will look to accumulate early wins to establish proof of concept and communicate the organization’s value proposition while adopting a long-term perspective on the transformational role that creatively programmed and well-maintained public spaces can play in creating community, generating economic activity, and enhancing quality of life.

The Jax Riverfront Alliance seeks an experienced and entrepreneurial leader with a demonstrated passion for parks and proven track record of operating, activating, and sustaining world-class public spaces to serve as the organization’s founding Chief Executive Officer. The CEO will possess significant leadership experience in the public-private parks partnership realm and will have an aptitude for operating, programming, activating, and maintaining public spaces that foster community, contribute to health and wellbeing, and generate economic activity. The successful candidate will operate with the highest standards of integrity and demonstrate a balance of business savvy with a commitment to responsible, people-focused management.

JRA offers a competitive salary and benefits package. Compensation for this position is anticipated to be between $215,000-$265,000 on an annual basis and will be commensurable with experience. Health, retirement, PTO, and other benefits are available.

Kittleman & Associates is leading this search on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Jax Riverfront Alliance.

If you want to play a key role in this dynamic organization, please confidentially submit a current resume and cover letter to Kittleman & Associates. The cover letter is an opportunity to showcase your passion for the JRA’s purpose, mission, core values and beliefs, and demonstrate your organizational impact in current or prior roles.

For best consideration, please kindly apply by January 13, 2026.