Chief Executive Officer

Job Description

WittKieffer is honored to partner with https://www.lauritzengardens.org (the “Garden”), Omaha’s 100-acre Botanical Center, in their search for a dedicated leader to serve as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) upon the planned retirement of the current Executive Director. The Garden seeks a mission-aligned and visionary leader to join the organization at a pivotal juncture and help shape its promising future.

As the Garden’s chief ambassador, the CEO will report to and liaise directly with the Board of Directors, undertaking roles ranging from strategic planner to innovator, and from relationship-builder to brand steward. Responsibilities will encompass reinforcing the Garden’s community footprint, ensuring financial stability, and enhancing its brand identity. The CEO will lead a team of nearly 100 professionals bolstered by a dedicated Board of Directors, Board of Trustees, and volunteer cohort with a history of unwavering support for the Garden. The CEO will be focused on actively engaging with the community and Board of Directors, developing new strategic and master facilities, securing the financial health of the organization, recruiting, engaging and retaining staff, developing positive working relationships with all the departments, ensuring a culture of trust throughout the organization, and improving employee engagement overall. This an exciting opportunity for the Garden’s new leader to take the organization to the next level of performance, positioning it as a premier botanical garden in the region and the nation.

About Us

Established in 1982, the Garden is renowned for blending aesthetic beauty with educational endeavors. The Garden welcomed over 220,000 visitors in 2022 and is set for significant advancements, including introducing the state-of-the-art horticulture complex and the children’s garden, Sophia’s Play Garden. The Garden maintains unparalleled environmental and horticultural standards, aiming to provide educational and aesthetic experiences. The Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory and over twenty themed gardens offer guests an immersion into the Garden’s captivating landscape, where vibrant visitor experiences are offered year-round. In 2023, the Garden was accredited as a Conservation Practitioner from Botanic Gardens Conservation International, a global network of 800 botanic gardens in 118 countries. The Garden is one of only 31 botanic gardens worldwide to achieve this honor, which “recognizes excellence in plant conservation policy, practice and education.” Known for its philanthropic spirit and boasting the nation’s highest millionaire per capita ratio, Omaha is an exciting city in which to lead a robust nonprofit organization. Omaha, a hub of innovation, culture, and community engagement, is also a city undergoing significant transformation, with over two billion dollars in new development recently invested in the riverfront and downtown areas. Its business spectrum ranges from budding startups to global giants, many of which have laid the foundation for prominent philanthropic initiatives. Omaha is a vibrant city with a metropolitan population of 900,000, currently the 42nd largest city in the United States. Omaha is also a safe, family-oriented town offering excellent schools with a cost of living that has consistently been 10-12 percent below the average U.S. metro price level.

Education and Experience

Ideal candidates will bring at least ten years of experience in non-profit leadership positions and a demonstrated record of accomplishment related to fundraising, fiscal management, team building and volunteer engagement. A bachelor’s degree is required, and a graduate degree in business, non-profit administration, natural resource management or a related field is preferred.

Application Instructions

Please direct all applications, inquiries, and nominations to Ashley Buderus, Jessica Cummings, and Roxana Woudstra by using the https://apptrkr.com/4729578 or by e-mail to Lauritzen@wittkieffer.com. The Candidate Portal is a secure, easy way to nominate a colleague, express interest, or apply for a position.