Director of Arboretum Horticulture

The Holden Arboretum The Director of Arboretum Horticulture supports Holden Forests & Gardens' mission, vision, and values by overseeing and implementing horticultural operations, including the planning, designing, and maintenance of gardens and cultivated natural lands throughout approximately 80 acres of the Arboretum’s Core. Summary of responsibilities include participating in long-term strategic planning, project planning, collaborating with internal and external partners, and managing contractor relationships. This role also entails overseeing the annual operating budget, identifying funding opportunities, engaging with the public and industry professionals, and contributing to educational programs. Additionally, the Director supervises staff, directs administrative functions, delivers lectures, and stewards donor relationships to ensure the sustainability and strategic alignment of Holden’s horticultural and tree and land care initiatives. Position Details • Full-Time, Exempt • Reports to: VP of Living Collections & Horticulture Key Responsibilities Key responsibilities of the Director of Arboretum Horticulture, include, but are not limited to: • Provide day-to day leadership, management, training, and oversight to Senior Horticulturists and Horticulturists • Develop, supervise and implement horticulture operations in the Arboretum Core • Work with the VP of Living Collections & Horticulture and the Curation Department to guide staff in the selection, acquisition, installation, and maintenance of plants at the arboretum that most effectively meet Holden Forests & Garden’s mission, strategies, garden themes, and educational messages • Oversee all hiring, onboarding, training, and management of year-round and seasonal staff in collaboration with People & Culture • Direct and approve department’s administrative activities including budget and program activities, scheduling, payroll approval, annual appraisals, and goal setting • Manage Horticulture budget • Partner with the Development team to identify and manage grants and funding opportunities • Support public engagement, education, and donor stewardship efforts, serving as a resource on horticulture, arboriculture, and land care • Support HF&G’s curational goals and implement annual and long-term collections plans in collaboration with staff across both campuses • Advance goals for sustainable and ecological horticulture and land use practices • Oversee the implementation of integrated pest management practices and the control of invasive plants and pests in gardens and natural areas within the Arboretum Core • Promote a culture of safety by ensuring proper training and fostering open communication about safety concerns • Participate in and support organizational planning, master planning, strategic planning, and the ongoing activities to develop arboretum landscapes • Develop overall departmental goals and objectives • Provide occasional on-site support at the Cleveland Botanical Garden campus • Act as a liaison with plant societies, garden clubs, and professional horticultural organizations • Support donor cultivation and stewardship efforts to enhance community and institutional engagement Qualifications And Skills • Support Holden Forests & Gardens’ mission, vision, and values • Demonstrate a passion for people, plants, and nature • Bachelor’s degree in public horticulture, landscape horticulture, or a related field preferred • Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in landscaping, garden maintenance, and garden design • A minimum of five (5) years of managing and supervising horticultural staff working with living collections in a public garden environment is highly desirable • Proven experience in effectively motivating and leading teams to accomplish multiple projects within budget and on time • Knowledge of plant taxonomy required • Demonstrated experience overseeing and reporting on general operating and restricted budgets • Deep knowledge of cultivated woody and herbaceous ornamental and native plants including nomenclature, husbandry, pruning, and required cultural conditions • Experience in designing gardens is required • Proficient use of Microsoft 365 products, specifically Teams, Outlook (email and calendar), Word, Excel, SharePoint, and OneDrive • Maintain a valid driver's license and acceptable vehicle record of less than 3 points or violations • Must be or willing to become within 3 months of employment, an ODA Pesticide Trained Service Person and/ or possess or willing to obtain a Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s License • Must have or acquire through in-house training within the first 3 months of employment, OSHA Operator Safety Certification of: ATV/ UTV, mini excavator, and front-end loader • Must have or be willing to be Adult First Aid\CPR\AED certified • ISA certification or 3 years’ experience in woody plant installation, care and pruning Physical Requirements Must be able to perform with or without reasonable acc...