Senior Director of Plant Design and Display
Employment Type
Job (Full-Time)Job Categories
Horticulture
Job Description
Position Purpose
The Senior Director of Plant Design and Display will collaborate with the Vice President, Horticulture to set the global standard in design excellence for desert plant showcase with the goal of delivering a signature Garden experience. Member of the Horticulture department’s leadership team that will direct key initiatives from the Garden’s 15-year strategic plan to elevate plant displays that establish a new worldwide benchmark.
The ideal candidate has a strong horticulture knowledge, a collaborative mind-set and design sensibility for public gardens and outdoor displays. The ability to initiate and lead garden landscape concepts, develop original, site-specific work, possess a design sensitivity to proportion, planting composition and recognize the opportunities for dynamic plantings in a public space is essential. Leads a diverse team to achieve exceptional plant care while delivering detailed aesthetics and beauty for the Garden’s cultivated acreage.
Position Information:
Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt
Pay: $89,000-$120,000/yr
About Us
The Garden’s vision is to be the premier center in the world for the exhibition, research and conservation of desert plants. The Garden strives to be an indispensable resource for learning about cactus, agave and other desert plants of the Sonoran Desert and the world. Every element of the Garden reflects excellence, beauty and inspiration to transform the guest experience into one of discovery. The Garden is here to help everyone enjoy the beauty of the desert and to help them care about protecting and sustaining the natural world for the benefit of future generations.
Duties & Responsibilities
Essential Duties
Works with the Vice President, Horticulture in accomplishing the strategic and tactical initiatives outlined in the Garden’s 2040 Strategic Plan under North Star 3. Available May 15th at dbg.org.
Lead the planning, renovation and modification of landscapes, displays, and plant exhibits in collaboration with stakeholders including the development of conceptual landscape diagrams, planting plans, planting strategies and presentation drawings, plant palettes appropriate to project climate and site conditions.
Lead the execution of landscape installations and coordinate with landscape contractors, architects, nurseries, and consultants.
Lead the design and development for plant-based exhibits and seasonal plant décor including seasonal and year-round lighting experiences.
Work with staff leads in monitoring plant health and respond in compliance with accepted IPM practices, living collection policy, ISA standards and best practices in desert horticulture.
Establish plant and aesthetic performance metrics and accountability standards throughout the gardens.
Lead and manage a department of over 15 staff providing strategic direction, oversight and performance management for Trail Horticulture, Groundskeeping and Ornamental Horticulture teams, including delegating appropriate responsibility and accountability while fostering a strong working relationship and team spirit among staff members.
Accept primary responsibility for developing, tracking and achieving expense budgets.
Participate and/or lead departmental, Garden and planning meetings; assist with reports and proposals; continue professional education and participation in professional organizations.
Education and Experience
Competencies
Bachelor’s degree in horticulture, landscape design, public garden management or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Minimum five years of horticulture experience with a proven track record of successfully planning and implementing plan design and display.
Project management experience preferred
Demonstrated advanced skill in design and implementation of landscape projects for public settings paired with a visionary and forward-thinking approach to creating innovative and meaningful visitor experiences.
Experience in management and care for a public garden, arboretum, display garden or equivalent experience.
Versed and current in horticultural field (e.g. pollinators, invasive plans, desert plants, Integrated Pest Management, pruning, plant collections, etc.)
Exceptional time management, communication and organizational skills.
Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
The ability to solve problems using discretion and good judgment, high levels of personal motivation.
Clear, confident and responsive communicator with a demonstrated ability to present ideas and design concepts to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
Creative and collaborative leaders who inspire and mentors staff, fostering innovation and excellence in the creation of transformative visitor experiences through plant design and care.
Ability to work weekends and evenings when needed.
Valid driver license required
Additional Information
Equipment Used
Typical office equipment, Microsoft Office, design software. This role may also use small hand tools (loppers, pruners, pick axe, shovels, sharp shooter, etc.) during plant installations.
Internal Communication
Regular communication with Garden staff, Board of Trustees and volunteers.
External Communication
Communication with media, vendors, botanical garden colleagues, growers, architects, contractors and professional associations.
Working Conditions
Must be able to walk, sit, stand, stoop, kneel, bend, see, hear, speak, read, and type. Manual dexterity and the ability to lift 30 pounds required. Daily work occurs outside year-round including summer months. The Horticulture department implements a summer schedule to support the safety and well-being of staff working outside.? Reasonable accommodations may be made, when necessary and feasible, to allow a qualified individual to perform essential job functions.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Desert Botanical Garden is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by law.
The Garden fosters and supports workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion to honor the unique perspectives, experiences, and contributions of all, to celebrate successes, and to cultivate individual and institutional excellence.
All employees will help add to the Garden’s diversity and fully embrace it.
This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and deliverables of the role. This is not a contract and should not be viewed as such. Other duties may be assigned by supervisor and/or his/her/their designee.
Application Instructions
Please use the link to apply
Application Deadline:June 30, 2026
