Director of Horticulture and Sustainable Landscapes

Director of Horticulture and Sustainable Landscapes

Bernheim Forest and Arboretum, a 16,000+ acre protected forest in Kentucky, about 25 miles south of Louisville, is seeking a creative and experienced senior leader who will develop a comprehensive horticultural strategy that supports Bernheim’s unique history and horticultural heritage.

Bernheim is home to a 600‑acre, Level IV accredited arboretum. The natural landscape features 40+ miles of hiking trails and extensive natural areas managed for conservation and research purposes. Its woodlands, prairies, and wetlands make up the largest privately‑owned forest in the Eastern United States dedicated to education and conservation. Bernheim is a privately owned not‑for‑profit, relying on donations and memberships, whose mission is to connect people with nature.

Annually, over 300,000 people experience Bernheim through visits, educational programs, field trips, and Bernheim festivals.

The Director of Horticulture and Sustainable Landscapes (DoH) must possess deep knowledge and experience of sustainable horticulture practices and be a proven team leader of both horticulture and groundskeeping professionals. Additionally, the DoH will work cross‑departmentally to create programs that address the challenges of climate crisis by leveraging their skills, knowledge, and experience with people, plants, and biological sciences.

• Spearhead the curation and development of Bernheim’s living collections, supporting a long‑term horticultural strategy that applies sector‑leading practices to the oversight of our Level IV Accredited Arboretum and nationally certified oak and magnolia collections.
• Lead the design, development, and installation of horticulture components of new projects and spaces, working in close collaboration with other members of the Bernheim team.
• Hire, develop, motivate, and monitor horticulture and groundskeeping staff performance, including delegating appropriate responsibility and accountability while fostering a safe work environment, strong working relationships, and team spirit among staff members.
• Drive efforts to maintain soil health, conserve water, and promote sustainable gardening practices throughout the garden’s diverse landscapes.
• Develop horticulture and education partnerships with like‑minded organizations and incorporate public education into programs as appropriate.
• Direct and supervise the work in the Arboretum’s production nursery, support seasonal plant sales, and develop/maintain relationships with regional nurseries.
• Interact with visitors regularly, providing insights into the garden’s plant collections, horticultural techniques, and ongoing projects, serving as public educator, interpreter, and ambassador for Bernheim across a wide variety of public settings.
• Work directly with executive leadership and director of Visitor Experience to ensure comprehensive coverage of maintenance activities and improvements throughout the garden.
• Facilitate and guide the information capture and maintenance of records of plantings, planted areas, trees, and related information, to be collected and recorded in IrisBG.
• Participate in a range of activities beyond the typical workday, including events and programs, fundraising initiatives, tours, and stewardship and cultivation activities as needed.
• Develop, assess, and monitor annual horticulture and landscaping plans and corresponding budgets.
• Assist in supervising snow removal and storm cleanup, and dealing with cleanup associated with severe weather emergencies.
• Serve on the organization’s senior leadership team; facilitate and coordinate the Plant Collections Committee.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Exceptional leadership skills, including delegating, managing, and prioritizing activities and responsibilities with clarity and confidence combined with strong interpersonal and teamwork skills.
• Must have a hands‑on leadership style, strategic vision, in‑depth knowledge of native plants and ecological gardening, and an understanding of arboriculture.
• Strong program management experience, including the ability to build strategic partnerships to accomplish departmental…