Primary Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and perform other duties as assigned.

Lead the growth and development of public programs that expand audiences and create compelling reasons to visit the Botanical Garden through guest-centric and mission-aligned content
Affirm direction and strategy for existing public programs (i.e., Botanical Blues, Downtown Earth Day Tour, North Gallery exhibits, and Social Irrigation) while actively pursuing new opportunities to develop a portfolio of high-quality, targeted, and relevant programs
Effectively lead and engage the Friends of the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden as ambassadors of the Botanical Garden and partners in expanding the guest experience through public programs and audience engagement
Cultivate a cohesive team of professionals and volunteers with a passion for growth and excellence in public programming
Procure, negotiate, contract, and manage relationships with public program vendors including performers, exhibitors, and contractors that supply essential services and equipment to public programs
Lead the Botanical Garden’s guided programming (i.e., Garden Host and Docent initiatives) in concert with the interpretive priorities and educational initiatives while strategically expanding the guest experience and earned revenue opportunities
Increase the value of the guest experience through the development and enhancement of self-guided programming that serves to connect a wide range of audiences with the diversity of the Botanical Garden’s collections
Work in collaboration with team members who lead other functions for public programs to positively impact multiple revenue streams, driving retail, admissions, food and beverage, donors, and sponsors while also connecting guests with the Botanical Garden’s mission
Develop and oversee operational budget; schedule staff and volunteers; implement strategic plan goals
Develop and track metrics to measure effectiveness of program offerings
Serve as the institution’s operational lead for public programs, effectively engaging Marketing and Philanthropy in concert with Guest Experience, Education, and Horticulture staff
Develop deeper connections with community partners and leverage institutional resources toward meaningful collaborations, particularly in the areas of partnerships with peer cultural organizations, local chambers, and neighborhood connections

Supervisory Responsibilities

Directly supervises the Volunteer Coordinator, program volunteers, contracted performers, and vendors related to public programs.
Carries out supervisory responsibilities with a passion for creativity, collaboration, and successful completion.

Carries out supervisory responsibilities by the organization's policies and applicable laws.
Interviews, hires, and trains employees and volunteers; plans, assigns and directs work; appraise performances; rewards and disciplines employees; addresses complaints and resolves problems.

Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability required for this position.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in education, horticulture, biology, botany, natural science, museum studies, tourism, art or related field of study is required; graduate degree is desired
Experience in program creation, training, and management
Knowledge of current trends in public garden, education, museum, or cultural attraction programming
Minimum of two years of experience in a management position
Previous experience managing budgets, including profit and loss and measuring program metrics
Proven competence managing program logistics, staff, volunteers, and financial inputs, outputs, and outcomes

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Strong written and verbal communication skills
Creative problem solver; strategic and organized thinker
Excellent time-management skills to handle a variety of assignments simultaneously under a variety of deadlines and other constraints
Have great attention to detail, highly organized with effective problem-solving skills
Ability to understand and interpret instruction to work effectively and efficiently independently with minimal supervision, as well as part of a team
Comfortable engaging audiences across a range of demographics and learning styles
Ability to interact in an appropriate and professional manner with the general public, staff, and volunteers
Bilingual (Spanish/English, and English/Other) a plus