Executive Director

Salary: $120,000 – $140,000 annually, DOE The Opportunity Step into a leadership role where you can see your work literally bloom. As Executive Director (ED) of the Bellevue Botanical Garden Society (BBGS), you’ll provide programming and fundraising in support of one of the nation’s premier botanical gardens that inspires nearly a half million visitors annually. Come lead a team of professionals, partnering with a passionate Board and the City of Bellevue to help shape the next chapter of a beloved community institution. The ED role is a rare opportunity for a mission-driven nonprofit leader to make a lasting impact in the Garden and on the surrounding community. The Garden Considered one of the best botanical gardens in the nation, the Bellevue Botanical Garden began its rich history as the humble home of Cal and Harriet Shorts, who committed to sharing the beauty of the land they developed with as many people as possible by bequeathing their home and property to the City of Bellevue in 1981. Opening its doors in 1992, the Garden has since grown to include 53 acres and expanded its exhibits in partnership with community organizations such as the Northwest Perennial Alliance, Eastside Fuchsia Society, Washington Native Plant Society, and King County Master Gardeners. Today, more than 450,000 visitors from around the globe visit the Garden each year to discover the best plants and gardening practices for healthy Northwest gardens, renew their spirit, delight their senses, and connect with community. The Society The Bellevue Botanical Garden Society (BBGS) was formed in 1986 to support the City of Bellevue by cultivating the bond between plants and people, raising funds to support the Garden’s physical growth and development, and providing educational programs and community events. In partnership with the City of Bellevue, BBGS strives to ensure the Shorts’ vision of opening their home to as many people as possible remains a reality, now and well into the future. BBGS now seeks its next Executive Director to help usher the Society into the next chapter of inspiring people and building community on the grounds of the beautiful Bellevue Botanical Garden. The Role The ED leads the organization with the primary mission of connecting the community to the Garden through educational programs, visitor services, events, and member engagement. The ED will join and lead a dedicated team of full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees, with direct supervision of the Development Director, Youth & Children’s Education Manager, Adult Programs Manager, Visitor Services Manager, Marketing & Communications Manager, Trillium Store Manager, and contracted accounting and IT services. Leveraging learnings from prior leadership experience, the ED will assess and improve internal systems and processes to ensure staff are fully supported and that BBGS’s resources are used efficiently. As the primary ambassador for BBGS, the ED will further relationships with donors and funders and ensure continued collaboration with the City of Bellevue through the City’s Garden Director. In partnership with the Board Chair, the ED will continue professionalizing the Board of Directors through timely and consistent communication, coaching and mentorship, and member recruitment. While each day will be new and exciting, we anticipate the incoming leader will dedicate most of their attention in the following ways: Organizational Leadership Lead the creation and implementation of strategies, policies, and practices in collaboration with the Board, staff, and the City of Bellevue to ensure organizational effectiveness. Manage a dedicated, passionate, and high-performing team of staff and volunteers. Provide the necessary tools, skills, procedures, and information for optimal performance. Own BBGS strategy, goals, and objectives through identifying, creating, gaining Board approval, and implementation. Hold responsibility for overseeing BBGS’s successful partnership with the City of Bellevue and collaborating with the City’s Garden Director to optimize resources across both organizations. Actively engage in the community to increase awareness of the organization and its mission and represent the Society in all aspects of public and media-related activities. Program and Operational Management Oversee and direct all BBGS programs, ensuring mission alignment, effectiveness, and efficiency. Provide programs with SMART goals and objectives. Keep the Board up to date on the performance, results, and operational conditions of the organization. Identify strategic or operational challenges and help craft and present solutions to the Board for consideration. Actively participate in and provide staff support for all Board committees. Oversee financial systems and controls, ensuring integrity and accuracy. Lead the annual budgeting process with support from the Treasurer and Board President. Oversee bookkeeping and revenue procedures and act as primary interface with the CPA firm, Financial Advisor, and all financial institutions. Review and implement financial policies and procedures. Ensure that all financial processes comply with nonprofit regulations and that published reports properly reflect the operating results and financial condition of BBGS. Oversee all fundraising activities, manage systems, and implement tools for success. Strategically steward and cultivate major donors. Use clear and impactful communications to strengthen relationships and build trust with individual donors, foundations, and corporations. Human Resources Identify and define staffing requirements needed to meet organizational priorities while keeping within operational and financial constraints. Oversee employee hiring, training, performance management, communication, and problem resolution. Manage payroll, employee benefits, and all aspects of compensation. Ensure policies and procedures are in place to manage paid staff. Opportunities for Impact Collaborate with the Board of Directors, staff, City partners, and other stakeholders to develop and implement a new strategic plan for BBGS. Identify KPIs and report to the Board regularly on progress toward achieving strategic goals. Create and implement a new, comprehensive fundraising strategy that deepens relationships with donors and supporters, diversifies revenue streams, funds strategic priorities, and ensures long‑term financial sustainability. Develop and implement a comprehensive marketing and communications plan that effectively promotes BBGS’s mission, programs, and impact to a broad audience. Work with the Board and staff to ensure BBGS has the appropriate systems, policies, procedures, and infrastructure in place to support continued growth and evolution. Partner with Board leadership to strengthen Board practices, clarify roles, and support governance through Board recruitment, onboarding, training, and development. What You Bring We encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply. Candidates will be evaluated on the full range of their lived and learned experience and core competencies. Demonstrated experience successfully leading a nonprofit organization of similar size and complexity. Horticultural experience is not required. Financial acumen, including familiarity with profit and loss statements, budgeting, financial management, and reporting. The ability to lead effectively both externally and internally, serving as a visible leader within the Garden and broader community while also supporting staff and operations. Strong HR knowledge and people management skills, including experience developing equitable staffing structures, transparent employment practices, and policies aligned with nonprofit best practices. Experience advocating for and investing in employee wellbeing and professional development. Demonstrated fundraising and donor development experience. Strong collaboration and relationship‑building skills, particularly with City leadership, staff, volunteers, donors, members, and community partners. Authentic, transparent, and approachable leadership with strong communication skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to foster trust, consistency, and a positive organizational culture. Nonprofit leadership Strategic planning Marketing, messaging, branding, and storytelling Process improvement and optimization Board relations Interpersonal communications Business rigor Communications and media relations Public speaking and delivering presentations Fundraising and donor relations Constructive problem solving Mission alignment Knowledge of current HR best practices Flexibility and adaptability Growth mindset Change management This is a full‑time salaried position requiring a willingness to work some evenings and weekends and occasional travel. The Executive Director role is based in Bellevue, Washington, and requires regular presence in the office. The salary range is $120,000 to $140,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience. The Bellevue Botanical Garden Society offers generous benefits, including: 100% employer‑paid healthcare, dental, and vision plans Employer‑paid life insurance Retirement contribution matching Paid time off BBGS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates of color, LGBTQ+ candidates, women, candidates with disabilities, and candidates of all religions and national origins are strongly encouraged to apply. #J-18808-Ljbffr