Executive Director, Botanica the Wichita Gardens

Executive Director of Botanica, the Wichita
Gardens

The City of Wichita seeks to hire an Executive Director for
Botanica, The Wichita Gardens, a Division Manager position within
the City’s Division of Cultural Arts and Services. This position
reports to the Director of Cultural Arts and Services and works in
collaboration with Botanica, Inc., the non-profit operator of the
Gardens, and the non-profit’s Board of Trustees. The successful
candidate will be an open-minded, diplomatic, collaborative, and
creative professional who builds upon the Gardens’ historic
strengths and record of success while motivating ambitious change
and growth. Most importantly, the candidate will have a passion for
the mission and programs of Botanica with an ability to inspire and
engage others.  

ABOUT BOTANICA

In 1982, the Wichita Area Garden Council joined forces with the
City of Wichita with a unified vision to provide area residents
with a center for horticultural enjoyment and education within a
landscape garden setting.  Ground was broken in September of
1985 and in 1987, Botanica, The Wichita Gardens, opened to the
public. Since its opening with four gardens and a horticultural
library, Botanica has added 30 additional themed gardens and
exhibits. 

This botanical paradise on the plains has expanded to 18 acres
of stunning garden scaping that features more than 4,000 species of
plants both native and new to the region. Also, on display is a
collection of 50 elegant sculptures, flowing streams, fountains,
and waterfalls that complement the beauty of plants, creating a
visually stunning environment. 

Today, Botanica is known for exceptional gardens, including the
Chinese Garden of Friendship, the Koch Carousel Gardens and Downing
Children’s Garden, and as a premiere events space both for private
and public events. Signature events include Illuminations, Tulip
Festival, Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular and entertaining performances
on the Dr. David and Mickie Brown Grand Lawn and Stage. Botanica
has more the 6,900 members and an annual attendance of more than
300,000, making it one of the most-visited attractions in
Kansas.

CITY OF WICHITA AND BOTANICA, INC
PARTNERSHIP

The City has a unique, long-term public/private partnership
agreement with Botanica, Inc., the not-for-profit corporation that
is responsible for operating the Gardens and its programs, exhibits
and activities, as well as the custody, care, maintenance and
development of the land and garden improvements. Botanica, Inc., is
a non-profit, scientific, and educational organization founded to
foster, promote, develop, and operate the Gardens. It is governed
by a 24-member Board of Trustees, including four City-designated
positions.
 
The City of Wichita owns the land on which Botanica is located, as
well as Botanica’s main building and other capital improvements.
The City’s Division of Cultural Arts and Services provides
management oversight to ensure development and improvements meet
the deed covenants of the land. The City also provides financial
and in-kind services and support as needed to maintain a park
environment. 

ORGANIZATIONAL AND REPORTING STRUCTURE

The Executive Director of Botanica reports to the Director of
Cultural Arts and Services and works collaboratively with Botanica,
Inc.’s Board of Trustees. The Executive Director manages all
positions – both City and Botanica, Inc., – for the most effective
and efficient operation of the organization, facilities, and
grounds. This position will work with Botanica, Inc.’s Board of
Trustees in hiring and management of these positions.

QUALITIES AND ATTRIBUTES

The ideal candidate is an exceptional, visionary leader who
understands the value of creating effective work teams, embraces
diversity, builds employee and community relationships, and leads
by example to drive organizational success. Leadership
characteristics include: 

Catalyst for Change:  Action-orientated and has
the ability to serve as a leading change agent for culture shifting
and change management.

People leadership: ensuring the
organization has the talent needed to achieve desired results and
reflect the diversity of the community. The candidate will
possess the intellectual depth, maturity, and skills to work
effectively with all levels of City leadership, Botanica trustees,
staff, donors, members, and visitors.

Strategic leadership: ensuring
alignment around overall direction priorities, plans, objectives
using data-driven strategies and decision-making.

Business Acumen and People
Management Skills – understanding the
financial and strategic aspects of the organization and know how to
lead, motivate, and develop a team, fostering a positive work
environment while achieving business objectives.

Stakeholder
leadership: effectively cultivating and
managing relationships with key internal and external
stakeholders. 

Examples of Work Performed

The work of this position is a coordinated effort with the
Director of Cultural Arts and Services and Botanica, Inc.’s, Board
of Trustees. The Executive Director: 

• Assumes full financial and operational management
  responsibility for a $4M budget, 50-60 staff, volunteers, visitor
  services and activities on an 18-acre site with
  gardens/exhibits/structures. 
• Plans, implements, manages, and evaluates all aspects of the
  business and daily operations. Coordinates efforts in matters of
  short- and long-range planning, expansion, membership, publicity,
  programs, fundraising, grants, sponsorship, etc. Prepares
  administrative and financial policies and procedures for
  approval.
• Leads and assists in the development of organizational vision
  and future development of Botanica to include City capital
  improvements. Plans land use, expansion, operational growth, and
  changes in future delivery of services.
• Manage educational programming regarding plants, landscapes,
  ecosystems, and the understanding of and appreciation for the
  natural environment. 
• Follows all City policies and procedures in include operations,
  City employment, days of operation, and life/safety policies and
  procedures. 
• Works closely with Botanica’s Board of Trustees in all areas of
  responsibility to insure continuous communication and transparency.
   
• Develops annual organizational goals and objectives and a
  strategic plan. This includes planning, directing, and
  coordinating long and short-term goals; assign projects and
  programmatic areas of responsibility; reviews and evaluates work
  methods and procedures with staff. Reports to both Director of
  P&R and Botanica Board.
• Oversees the research, planning, implementation, financial
  performance, and evaluation of all annual events, exhibits, and
  activities. Sets and maintains the annual master
  calendar.  
• Oversees and participates in the development and administration
  of the Botanica, Inc. budget that is approved annually by its Board
  of Trustees. Also, advises on the City’s financial and maintenance
  operations.  Forecasts funds needed for staffing, equipment,
  materials, and supplies; secures funding, sponsorships,
  contributions, and grants; approves expenditures and implements
  budgetary adjustments as appropriate; allocates resources
  responsibly to maximize financial performance. 
• Establishes service, volunteer, and staffing levels to fit the
  available budget while maintaining a safe
  environment. Recruits, hires, orients, trains, manages,
  evaluates, and terminates all staff of Botanica as
  necessary. Provides or coordinates staff training for
  employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline when
  applicable. 
• Develops and implements professional human resource policies
  and procedures, including hiring practices, orientation,
  management, evaluation, professional development, recognition,
  advancement, termination, and records management/retention.
  Motivates and cultivates positive, productive working relationships
  with staff, utilizing open and frequent communication and
  feedback.
• Oversees development and implementation of a strategic and
  innovative volunteer plan that includes strategies for recruitment,
  management, retention, and recognition; understands the value of
  volunteers and the need to personally cultivate and recognize their
  efforts on behalf of Botanica. 
• Serves as principal spokesperson for Botanica. Explains
  and justifies programs, policies, and activities; responds,
  negotiates, and resolves sensitive and controversial issues,
  citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Provides quality public presentations and responds to questions
  from the community on Botanica and its activities on a regular
  basis. This position represents Botanica to the public, other City
  departments, elected officials, volunteers, donors, sponsors, and
  outside constituents. 
• Monitors and ensures that best horticultural practices are
  occurring inside the gardens, greenhouses and on exterior
  landscapes. Reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures with
  staff.
• The City of Wichita and Botanica Board of Trustees may assign
  other related duties as needed. 
• These examples are not intended to be all-inclusive. 

Requirements of Work

The successful candidate will possess the ability to:

• Advise and support the Director of Cultural Arts and Services
  as needed.  
• Work collaboratively with Botanica’s Board of Trustees to
  operate Botanica, including management of Botanica, Inc.
  staff.
• Work with the Division of Cultural Arts and Services to promote
  the department and Botanica.
• Develop partnerships and relationships with City staff and
  other organizations.
• Regularly report to the Director of Cultural Arts and Services
  and Botanica’s Board of Trustees on financial performance,
  operations, fundraising, marketing, staffing, programs, and
  activities, including successes and challenges.
• Ensure that the Board follows all financial requirements of law
  and regulation.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with City staff,
  Botanica’s Board of Trustees, employees, volunteers, donors,
  sponsors, corporate business leaders, other organizations, the
  public, and persons engaged in horticultural, education and
  development activities.
• Oversee development and implementation of a strategic
  marketing, advertising, and community relations plan, including
  social media strategies.  Enhance and analyze strategic
  marketing efforts to broaden impact, grow audiences, build brand
  awareness, and expand community participation.  
• Oversee and direct a dynamic development and fundraising
  strategy including, but not limited to, cultivating public and
  private funding sources, grant writing and grant management,
  sponsorships, corporate and individual donors, and building
  mutually beneficial partnerships across education, arts and
  cultural, environmental, and related sectors. 
• Utilize technology at all levels to improve data and
  communications, enhance the visitor experience, and implementation
  and utilization of new CRM platform.
• Use a computer to access, analyze, interpret, and record
  information.
• Help in the gardens physically with plantings or assisting the
  staff as needed.  
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in
  writing.
• Acquire and maintain a valid Kansas driver’s license and
  operate motor vehicles (car, truck, cart, etc.)
• An employee shall not pose a direct threat to the health or
  safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Required Experience and Training

Required:  Graduation from an accredited four-year
college or university with a bachelor’s degree in Business,
Management, or related field. Three to five years’ experience
serving as CEO, President, or Executive Director of a private,
corporate, or non-profit organization or five to seven years as an
Assistant or Deputy Director. Demonstrated experience in executive
decision-making, financial management, strategic planning,
administration, operational and project management. Excellent
people skills at all levels, and a strong record of recruiting
staff and/or volunteers, fostering a transparent and collegial work
environment, and increasing effectiveness through established
objectives, performance standards, quantifiable benchmarks, and
mentoring. 

Preferred:  Experience managing a
multi-million-dollar operating budget in a corporate or non-profit
entity. Proven ability to personally cultivate, solicit, and
steward individual and institutional donors at seven to
eight-figure levels through diplomacy, collaboration, and
creativity, and oversee a major capital campaign. Experience
working with a dual operational structure. Special consideration
will be given to applicants who have a high level of energy,
creativity, people skills, event coordination, and experience in
dealing with the public. Experience in public gardens or
horticulture a bonus.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be
considered. Offers of employment are contingent upon passing a
pre-employment physical, which includes drug screening, and upon
satisfactory evaluation of the results of a criminal record
check.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

The physical demands described here are representative of those
that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the
essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of
this job, the employee is required to maintain effective
audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for making
observations, communicating with others, reading, and writing. The
employee is also required to maintain physical condition necessary
for operating assigned equipment, walking, standing, kneeling,
repeated bending or sitting for prolonged periods of time and
lifting to 45 pounds. Ability to make sound, logical decisions that
directly impact the business. 

WORKING ENVIRONMENT 

Indoor, outdoor and greenhouse environment; confined working
spaces; humid air. Exposure to radiant energy and inclement
weather. Exposure to fertilizers, agricultural chemicals, and pest
control agents. Work independently, irregular work hours including
evenings and weekends.