Director of Operations

Position: Full-time; exempt; starting salary $75,000 Benefits: Health, Dental, PTO Reports to: Executive Director Coordinates with: Director of Communication, Business Manager, Maintenance Manager, and Garden Manager Oversees: Nursery Manager, Store Manager, Café Manager, Event Coordinator Key Responsibilities Leadership Working with the Executive Director and Senior Staff, this position will foster a workplace environment that is welcoming, respectful, and grounded in shared purpose Participates in long-term planning and financial management of guest service operations, which include Admissions, Store, Café, and the Nursery Acts as direct supervisor to Guest Services Manager, Nursery Manager, Café Manager, and Event Coordinator Under the direction of the ED, thinks strategically about how to steadily improve operational efficiencies, business processes, space planning, use, and the development/enhancement of revenue streams Demonstrates initiative in identifying issues and developing solutions to help the organization Maintains confidentiality of personnel and appropriate financial and planning information Organizational Operations Works with the Leadership Team to develop, implement, and regularly review operational policies and strategies guided by the organization’s mission, vision, and goals Supports the ED and Maintenance team with outside contractors by securing bids, reviewing contracts, communicating with the board, scheduling projects, and ensuring effective coordination with department leaders Works with ED and Business Manager to develop annual budget for retail centers and events Develops and implements attendance metrics, tracking, reporting, and analysis Ensures effective coordination and implementation of external services that support business operations, such as information technology, ticketing, and POS Implements and manages consistent and equitable HR practices—ensures compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws; maintains and updates the Employee Handbook as needed; manages required training, documentation, and reporting Develops and implements safety policies, training, and manages the Disaster Preparedness Program Ensures compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations Guest Services Ensures a high standard of visitor experiences in our three retail centers: Nursery, The Garden Store, and Rhody’s Garden Café Monitors and analyzes budget performance for guest service operations and events, ensuring prudent and responsible resource allocation by communicating regularly with department managers about balances, spending, and spending patterns Sets and maintains guest service standards, policies, and documentation, including, but not limited to, safety, ticketing, operational transactions, and data collection Provides support for the day-to-day functioning of the Gardens’ guest services, ticket and store sales, membership, events, and retail operations Works with our box office platform (Agile) to set up and administer sales operations for admissions, program registration, and memberships Oversees our POS/ retail management system (Lightspeed), including our online store Events Provides operational oversight for events, including but not limited to our two large annual fundraising events, Art in the Gardens and Festival of Lights Under the direction of the ED, work with key management staff to improve events through efficient organization and revenue-generating initiatives Qualifications 5-10 years of progressive leadership experience in business operations, preferably in a non-profit, horticulture, or cultural institution Bachelor’s degree in business administration, nonprofit management, or a related field preferred Must have management experience in a guest services setting Demonstrated leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills Demonstrated record of strong supervisory and leadership skills in managing and supporting staff Must be well organized with exceptional attention to detail and follow-through Is a self-starter and exhibits fairness, integrity, and professionalism in all interactions An appreciation for environmental conservation and for the mission of the Gardens Must be flexible and able to work some weekends and evenings Application Instructions Please submit a cover letter and a resume to the MCBG Executive Director, Jaime Jensen at View email address on click.appcast.io. The application deadline is Monday, June 22, 2026. Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens is an equal opportunity employer and celebrates diversity in all forms. #J-18808-Ljbffr