Director of Grounds & Horticulture

Overview:

We believe that outdoor spaces can tell powerful stories-and that carefully curated botanical environments elevate the beauty, sustainability, and soul of any public destination. As Director of Horticulture, you'll lead the vision, planning, and execution behind a beloved, dynamic, guest-facing campus here in Knoxville. From tranquil gardens and immersive landscapes to seasonal displays and exhibit backdrops, every plant and pathway plays a part in creating wonder and joy for hundreds of thousands of annual visitors.

This is a senior leadership role that blends landscape design, sustainability strategy, and hands-on operational leadership. You'll oversee horticulture, groundskeeping, and housekeeping teams, guiding everything from daily maintenance and seasonal displays to long-term capital planning and master plan integration. The best candidates bring deep horticultural knowledge, a collaborative spirit, and a desire to shape the future of a beloved community landmark.

We're looking for someone who sees plants as part of a living collection, landscapes as platforms for engagement, and their team as the core of a high-quality guest experience. If you're equally excited by pruning schedules and strategic planning sessions, this could be the place where your leadership takes root and grows.

Supervises:

• Horticulture
• Grounds
• Housekeeping teams

Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning & Leadership: Develop and drive long-term horticulture and grounds strategy aligned with campus-wide mission, sustainability goals, and guest experience standards.
• Landscape & Horticultural Operations: Oversee plant selection, installation, irrigation, pruning, integrated pest management, and browse program coordination, ensuring beauty, health, and biodiversity across the grounds.
• Design & Renovation Projects: Lead new landscape design, renovation, and planting efforts for both guest-facing spaces and private spaces; contribute to large-scale master plan and park redevelopment efforts.
• Team Development & Supervision: Manage and mentor horticulture, grounds, and housekeeping teams, including full-time staff, interns, and seasonal help; foster safety, accountability, and growth.
• Cleanliness & Guest Readiness: Ensure public pathways, restrooms, offices, and outdoor spaces are clean, welcoming, and ready to exceed guest expectations every day.
• Compliance & Documentation: Maintain records for plant collections, pesticide use, safety documentation, and regulatory compliance (USDA, OSHA, EPA, ADA, etc.).
• Budgeting & Resource Management: Develop and manage department budgets, source and purchase materials, and optimize use of labor and resources.
• Interdepartmental Collaboration: Coordinate with operations, exhibits, and events teams to align landscaping and grounds efforts with broader goals and timelines.
• Event & Exhibit Support: Lead setup, takedown, and design of special exhibits or event-related displays; contribute to interpretive programming when applicable.
• Community Engagement & Outreach: Plan and host annual horticulture-focused events; represent the organization through public programs, AZA participation, and professional talks.

Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's or Associate's degree in horticulture, landscape architecture, forestry, or related field-or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum 3-5 years of supervisory experience in botanical gardens, landscaping, or similar public environments.
• Experience in museums, parks, theme parks, zoos, or other public attractions highly preferred.

Qualifications

• Horticultural Expertise: Strong knowledge of regional plant species, propagation, landscape maintenance, and invasive/pest control best practices.
• Technical Skills: Comfortable with MS Office and scheduling software; GIS or landscape design tools a plus. Ability to read blueprints and irrigation schematics.
• Equipment Operation: Familiarity with mowers, skid steers, chainsaws, irrigation systems, and other landscape tools.
• Leadership & Communication: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and schedule teams in a fast-paced, high-standards environment.
• Guest-First Mentality: Understands the importance of visual quality, cleanliness, and hospitality across all physical spaces

Benefits

Benefits

• Medical, Dental Vision
• 401(k) matching
• PTO

Compensation:

• $75,000-$85,000