Vice President, Horticulture

Missouri Botanical Garden•St. Louis, MO

14d

About The Position

The Vice President of Horticulture provides leadership for the development, maintenance, and enhancement of the Missouri Botanical Garden’s landscapes, gardens, and displays. The role ensures that horticultural excellence, design innovation, and sustainable practices advance the Garden’s mission and enrich the visitor experience. The VP oversees garden design and management, including new displays and stewardship of cultural landscapes, and leads the creation of horticultural displays that celebrate plant diversity and support botanical education and public engagement. The VP leads a high-performing team and fosters a collaborative, people-first culture that values creativity, inclusion, and professional growth. Through strategic planning, resource management, and staff development, the role supports operational excellence and alignment with institutional priorities. The VP partners with colleagues across divisions on long-term vision and initiatives that position the Garden as a leader in horticultural innovation, beauty, and impact. The position oversees 57 staff members, including four direct reports. The department has an operating budget of $5.8 million, within an overall institutional budget of approximately $63 million. The role is based in St. Louis, Missouri, and reports to the President and Director.

Requirements

At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in public garden management, horticultural design, or botanical leadership, including at least 5 years in a senior executive- or director-level role.
Demonstrated success leading large teams and complex operations.
Experience with strategic planning, organizational change, and project management.
Deep understanding and expertise in landscape design, living collections, conservation horticulture, and visitor-centered public gardens.
Ability to balance long-term vision with day-to-day operational realities.
Strong communication skills and confidence serving as an institutional leader among peers and external partners.
Comfort serving as a public ambassador for the Garden’s horticultural excellence with donors, volunteers, community leaders, and media representatives.
Ability to represent the Garden in professional networks and collaborate with public gardens, universities, conservation organizations, and professional associations.
Ability to communicate effectively in English.

Nice To Haves

Ability to communicate verbally and in writing in one or more foreign languages, especially languages commonly spoken in Latin America, is highly preferable.
A Ph.D. in horticulture, botany, landscape architecture, or a related discipline is preferred.
ISA Certified Arborist certification is a plus.
Exceptional candidates with a compelling combination of education, professional experience, and demonstrated success in public horticulture will receive full consideration in lieu of the preferred Ph.D.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a long-term horticulture strategy for gardens, conservatories, and displays aligned with the President’s vision, the Garden’s mission, strategic plan, and institutional goals.
Foster cross-divisional collaboration and a culture of creativity, innovation, and excellence; collaborate across mission areas to advance shared goals.
Partner closely with the President, leadership team, and Horticulture Mission Council.
Oversee horticultural displays, nurseries, and conservatories that engage visitors, celebrate plant diversity, and reinforce the Garden’s leadership in botanical display and education.
Steward cultural landscapes, preserving the Garden’s heritage while advancing innovative design.
Lead horticultural exhibitions and seasonal displays that deepen public engagement and showcase plant and ecosystem diversity.
Connect biodiversity research, conservation, and education by presenting the Garden’s collections as living expressions of botanical knowledge and conservation.
Maintain the grounds to ensure an exceptional guest experience.
Manage the division’s budget, staffing, and resources for efficient, transparent operations.
Promote efficiency, effectiveness, and responsible stewardship across horticultural practices, infrastructure, and resources.
Partner with Institutional Advancement and Grants & Awards to fund strategic programs and major divisional initiatives.
Support major capital projects with Facilities Support & Construction and Institutional Advancement.
Represent the Garden’s horticultural leadership in public and professional forums.
Partner with Institutional Advancement and Communications to engage donors, partners, and the community in horticultural initiatives.
Strengthen partnerships with public gardens, universities, and horticultural networks to expand the Garden’s influence in innovation and education.
Lead and develop the horticulture team, building trust, alignment, communication, and professional growth.