Director EVS & Horticulture

San Manuel Band of Mission Indians•Highland, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the VP of Facilities & EVS, the Director of EVS & Horticulture provides strategic leadership and creative direction for all interior and exterior environment aesthetics across Yaamava’ Resort & Casino. In partnership with the Marketing and enterprise stakeholders, this role brings San Manuel’s brand, culture, and Tribal values to life through immersive landscape, horticulture, and seasonal design experiences aligned to established Master Plans and evolving resort environments. Oversees all EVS and horticulture operations, including landscaping, interior plant programs, floral design, and sustainable plant cultivation practices, while ensuring design integrity, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence. Drives innovation, sustainability, and quality standards that enhance the guest experience and supporting long-term environmental stewardship. Leads financial performance, workforce development, and continuous improvement initiatives to achieve year-over-year gains in guest satisfaction, service quality, and profitability. Fosters a culture of safety, accountability, and engagement while delivering a consistently welcoming, luxury-level resort environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality, Horticulture, Business Administration, Environmental Science, or related field required.
Minimum ten (10) years of experience in housekeeping operations in a luxury hotel/casino environment required.
Minimum seven (7) years of supervisory experience required.
Knowledge of housekeeping, EVS, horticulture, landscaping, and floral operations in a luxury resort or casino environment.
Knowledge of sustainability practices, environmental stewardship, and responsible horticulture methods.
Understanding of luxury hospitality, guest service standards, and experiential design (e.g., Forbes‑level expectations).
Knowledge of federal, state, tribal, and local regulatory, safety, and environmental compliance requirements.
Knowledge of labor relations and collective bargaining agreements.
Advanced financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, labor management, and P&L oversight.
Strategic leadership and operational planning skills across complex, multi‑functional departments.
Ability to translate brand vision and Master Plans into consistent operational execution.
Strong people leadership skills, including hiring, coaching, mentoring, performance management, and employee engagement.
Proven ability to lead large, diverse, and unionized teams effectively.
Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills using operational and financial data.
Excellent executive‑level communication and collaboration skills.
Ability to drive continuous improvement, efficiency, and year‑over‑year performance gains.
Ability to balance guest experience, aesthetics, sustainability, cost control, and compliance.
Ability to operate effectively in a fast‑paced, high‑demand, and evolving resort environment.
Authorized Driver: Role requires operation or driving of Tribe-owned vehicles or driving patron vehicles. A valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record as determined by the insurance carrier is required.

Nice To Haves

Managerial and Director Experience for a Forbes 5 Star Property and well versed with these ‘Best in Class Standards’ is preferred.
Related, relevant, and/or direct experience may be considered in lieu of minimum educational requirements indicated above.

Responsibilities

Provides strategic leadership over the design, execution, and continuous evolution of interior and exterior environmental aesthetics aligned with San Manuel’s brand, culture, and Tribal values. Partners with Marketing and enterprise stakeholders to deliver immersive seasonal, cultural, and event driven themes in accordance with established indoor and outdoor Master Plans. Ensures design integrity and consistency across all resort environments. Oversees the growth and integration of horticulture services encompassing landscaping, interior plant programs, and floral design for events and concierge services.
Directs all horticulture operations, including landscaping, plant propagation, cultivation, pest management, and floral programs, to ensure optimal plant health, quality, and visual impact. Implements sustainable horticulture practices that balance environmental stewardship, water and land conservation, and responsible sourcing. Ensures all horticulture initiatives enhance the guest experience while supporting long term sustainability objectives and minimizing environmental impact. Maintains full compliance with plant care, chemical usage, labeling, storage, and environmental safety standards.
Leads financial oversight and continuous improvement efforts by analyzing labor, revenue, and expense performance to drive productivity, efficiency, and service quality. Develops and executes business plans that align with enterprise priorities, emphasizing cost control, operational effectiveness, and achievable productivity benchmarks. Proactively identifies operational challenges and performance gaps while recommending and implementing data driven solutions. Focuses on sustaining year over year improvements in guest satisfaction, product quality, and overall departmental results through disciplined performance management and strategic adjustments.
Sets and enforces guest service standards across all EVS and Horticulture operations to ensure a consistently welcoming, polished, and luxury level environment. Promotes positive guest and team member relationships by addressing concerns promptly, professionally, and courteously. Ensures all environmental services support a seamless, safe, and elevated guest experience aligned with resort expectations and Forbes level service standards.
Ensures full compliance with all applicable regulations, as well as enterprise policies and procedures. Establishes and sustains a strong culture of safety, regulatory adherence, and ethical conduct across all operations. Develops and enforces comprehensive health and safety standards for team members and vendors, while fostering an environment where team members feel empowered to report concerns or potential misconduct.
Builds, leads, and retains a high performing and diverse workforce through effective hiring, coaching, mentoring, and development. Fosters an inclusive, collaborative, and performance driven culture that drives engagement and accountability. Partners with Human Resources to manage workforce planning, employee relations, performance management, corrective action, collective bargaining obligations, and staffing alignment with business needs.
Maintains current knowledge of industry trends, regulatory requirements, sustainability practices, and hospitality best practices through ongoing professional development. Participates in research and industry programs while performing additional duties as assigned to support efficient and effective departmental operations.
Performs other duties as assigned to support the eﬃcient operation of the department.
Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring and training employees; planning, assigning reviewing and directing work; evaluating and appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. Makes hiring decisions and designs individual development plans with succession planning in mind for all key roles.