Horticulture Manager

Overview Job Title: Horticulture Manager Location: Westminster, CO 80020 Position Type: Full Time Salary Range: $58,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year Reports To: Senior Director of Horticulture Direct Reports: Gardener About Butterfly Pavilion Butterfly Pavilion transforms how people think about invertebrates. We educate the public about invertebrate conservation and support research for solutions in invertebrate conservation. We are committed to providing an enriching experience for our audience and are recognized as a scientific authority and educational resource on invertebrates. Position Summary The Horticulture Manager leads the care, maintenance, and ongoing enhancement of Butterfly Pavilion’s indoor and outdoor plant collections, displays, and landscapes, including a 7,000 square foot tropical conservatory and over 10 acres of outdoor landscape. This role maintains plant health and aesthetic excellence across living collections while ensuring compliance with applicable requirements. The Horticulture Manager supervises horticulture operations, project planning, plant health monitoring, and recordkeeping, and provides day-to-day leadership, coaching, and performance management for horticulture staff, interns, and volunteers. This position works cross-functionally with internal teams to support Butterfly Pavilion’s mission, guest experience, animal care priorities, and conservation efforts. Essential Functions & Responsibilities Plant Collections Management Oversee the care and maintenance of Butterfly Pavilion’s plant collections, including tropical plants, annuals, grasses, perennials, bulbs, woody plants, and wetland plantings. Lead the installation of plantings on site, maintenance, and seasonal care of on-site plantings, gardens, and nature trails. Maintain foliage and plant stock within Wings of the Tropics and other exhibits to support plant health and exhibit goals. Evaluate and diagnose plant health issues and treat as appropriate. Collect and evaluate phenology, pest management, and other relevant health records for plant collections. Partner with the Curatorial team to support USDA and AZA compliance requirements, animal health priorities, and habitat needs. Recommend plant additions and collection enhancements aligned with the mission and exhibit goals. Contribute horticulture expertise and content for interpretative materials, educational programming, tours, workshops, and classes. Develop and maintain an off-site greenhouse propagation program to support exhibit displays and conservation initiatives. Operations, Planning & Project Management Support departmental and organizational goal setting through leadership planning and cross-functional collaboration. Develop project plans, timelines, budgets, risk considerations, and communication approaches for horticulture initiatives. Coordinate horticulture projects and operational needs with internal teams and external partners. Communicate operational priorities and relevant information to direct reports. Identify opportunities for operational improvement and long-term sustainability of horticulture programs and assets. Team Leadership & People Management Lead day-to-day horticulture operations, including task prioritization, work assignment, and project execution. Supervise, coach, and develop direct reports with clear expectations and regular feedback. Foster a collaborative, accountable, and positive team culture. Support hiring, onboarding, training, and performance evaluation processes for horticulture team members. Provide leadership and oversight for interns and volunteers; ensure appropriate training and development opportunities. Build realistic timelines and staffing plans to support operational and project success. Manage vendor and contractor relationships related to horticulture operations and projects. Address performance concerns in alignment with organizational policies. Community Engagement & Organizational Collaboration Collaborate with departments to support programs, guest experience initiatives, and organizational priorities. Represent Butterfly Pavilion in public programs and community events when appropriate. Foster relationships with vendors, community partners, and mission-aligned collaborators. Support guest engagement by answering horticulture-related questions and sharing expertise. Identify opportunities to expand volunteer and intern engagement in meaningful ways. Qualifications & Experience Education A bachelor’s degree in horticulture or related field required. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered. Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Minimum of five years of horticulture experience, preferably in public horticulture, botanical gardens, museums, zoos, aquariums, or similar mission-driven environments. Prior supervisory or team leadership experience required. Demonstrated experience in tropical horticulture and greenhouse management required. Working knowledge of integrated pest management required. Experience managing multiple priorities and projects in a dynamic environment. Strong plant diagnostic, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Ability to lead teams through coaching, accountability, and development. Strong communication and collaboration skills across departments. Experience working with volunteers and/or interns preferred. Familiarity with USDA and AZA standards or similar regulatory environments preferred. Work Environment & Physical Requirements Reasonable accommodations may be made for disabilities. The position may involve exposure to noise, varied climates, and physical activity such as lifting up to 50 lbs. The employee will be exposed to living invertebrates and may work with chemicals such as rubbing alcohol, herbicides, and vinegar. Up-to-date Tetanus vaccination may be required. Benefits Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life/AD&D, LTD, STD, and Employee Assistance Program. Voluntary Life, ID Shield, Legal Shield, and Pet Insurance plans available. Retirement 401(k) with employer match. Paid holidays, vacation, sick time, and two personal holidays per year. Butterfly Pavilion Membership and 25% Gift Shop discount. Note Equal Opportunity Employer; Butterfly Pavilion encourages applicants of all backgrounds. This description may be amended as needed. #J-18808-Ljbffr Butterfly Pavilion