Manager, Horticulture and Design

Position Summary The Manager, Horticulture and Design is a key creative and strategic leader in shaping the next generation of the Garden’s landscape and plant collections. This role calls for a professional with both vision and technical mastery - someone who can think in seasons and years, not just weeks and months. Working in close collaboration with the Director of Horticulture & Operations, the Manager, Horticulture and Design will develop and execute a multi-year horticultural plan that elevates the Garden’s aesthetic, strengthens its living collections, and enhances its role as a hub for learning and inspiration. This is a hands-on position that serves on the Garden’s Leadership Team and works in tandem with the Manager, Operations, forming two complementary roles that together support the Director of Horticulture & Operations and the broader horticulture and operations staff. The Manager, Horticulture and Design will lead and engage volunteers, establish and maintain garden display standards, and connect horticulture with education, interpretation, and visitor experience. The role requires strong public engagement skills and the ability to represent the Garden through talks, tours, and educational programs. This is a rare opportunity to leave a lasting mark on a maturing public garden—to design, plan, and innovate within an organization eager to invest in the future of its landscape and the professional growth of its team. Key Responsibilities • Lead the development of multi-season and multi-year planting and design plans that reflect BGO’s mission and interpretive goals. • Partner with the Director of Horticulture & Operations to define the Garden’s long-term horticultural strategy and priorities. • Design cohesive, high-impact displays to engage and inspire visitors year-round. • Serve as a creative resource to ensure a unified visual and interpretive standard across all Garden areas. • Lead the curation and interpretation of plantings, displays, and gardens as part of the Garden’s educational mission. • Guide the evolution of BGO’s living collections through thoughtful acquisition, curation, documentation and record keeping. • Develop and maintain plant records and a database of plantings and acquisitions. • Collaborate with local and regional partners to advance plant conservation and education initiatives. • Perform duties related to design, maintenance, and display presentation while managing volunteers and day-to-day horticultural tasks. • Provide professional guidance to staff, interns, and volunteers. • Positively contribute to a collaborative team culture centered on learning, creativity, and community engagement. • Support cross-departmental initiatives that connect horticulture with education, events, public programming, and fundraising. • Participate in Leadership Team meetings to align horticulture goals with broader organizational priorities. • Represent BGO publicly through tours, talks, and educational programs that engage diverse audiences. Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Horticulture. • Minimum 3 years of professional experience in a public garden, botanical garden, or equivalent. • Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. • Proven ability to engage the public through garden talks, tours, or education programs. • Demonstrated skill in horticultural design, long-range planning, and plant selection. • Demonstrated skills in plant production, growth, management, and curation. • Expertise in plant identification, with strong knowledge of native and ornamental species suited to our region. • Experience developing horticultural plans or managing garden collections. Submit a cover letter, résumé, portfolio (maximum 10 pages), and three professional references in a single PDF to awardlow@bgozarks.org with the subject line: Manager, Horticulture and Design – [Your Name].