Missouri Botanical Garden Hiring for Vice President, Education and Sustainability at St. Louis, MO Full Time

Since its founding over 150 years ago, the Missouri Botanical Garden has been committed to connecting people with plants and the wonders of the natural world. Today, education remains at the heart of everything we do—from hosting nearly one million visitors a year to strengthening science learning and teaching for students and teachers to supporting sustainability and conservation efforts throughout the St. Louis community and around the world. The Missouri Botanical Garden plays a leadership role in discovering and sharing knowledge about plants and their environment in order to preserve and enrich life.

The Vice President of Education and Sustainability, in collaboration with the President, will be responsible for leading the vision, strategic development, delivery and assessment of education and sustainability programming to both local and global communities in support of the Garden’s mission. The position will play a leadership role in developing and strengthening new and existing collaborative relationships with all defined stakeholders. In order to achieve these priorities, the Garden is seeking a dynamic and innovative leader for our Education and Sustainability division. The opportunity will allow you to further expand our educational and capacity-building efforts both domestically and internationally to students at all levels as well as lead the creation and strategic approach of programs to deepen knowledge, understanding, interest and advocacy of plant conservation and biodiversity for all Garden stakeholders through collaboration with Senior Leadership, Board and other stakeholders.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: * Leads the vision, strategic development, delivery, and assessment of the Garden’s Education and Sustainability programs in collaboration with the President. * Leads the creation and strategic approach of programs to deepen knowledge, understanding, interest, and advocacy of plant conservation and biodiversity for all Garden stakeholders through collaboration with Senior Leadership, Board and other stakeholders. * Analyzes organizational metrics and current programming to highlight opportunities for strengthening Education and Sustainability efforts in the communities the Garden serves. Develops effective strategies and programs in those areas of opportunity in support of the Garden’s mission.

• Collaborates with colleagues across divisions to leverage Garden-wide strengths/expertise in ways that build knowledge among individuals and communities locally and globally to understand, value, and steward plants and the environment. * Oversee marketing and communications of educational and sustainability programs and initiatives to help the Garden expand its reach and influence, while also generating earned income to support the operation of the Division and the Garden’s global mission. * Initiates and cultivates partnerships that enable long-term, mutually beneficial relationships between the Garden and schools, universities, communities, other botanical research and horticultural institutions, and other science learning destinations. Particular emphasis is given to developing and sustaining partnerships in St.

Louis and the Midwest region, but these are also important nationally and internationally. * Provides oversight in grant research, negotiation, and writing and helps to raise funds in support of programs within areas of responsibility. * Manages Education and Sustainability division budget. * Establishes and maintains contact with field professionals, community networks, and professional organizations and other institutions having similar interests with those of the Garden.

• Appraises, evaluates, and reports the division’s activities and results on a regular, systematic basis to the senior leadership team * Demonstrates the highest level of professional and ethical conduct., * Behave & communicate in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork, cooperation, diversity, inclusion, belonging, and respect within the division and throughout the Garden with all employees, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors, and others. * Other duties as assigned. Supervisory Responsibilities: * Manages Education and Sustainability staff; builds a culture of ongoing professional development that aligns with the Garden’s Strategic Plan and Mission. Qualifications/ Experience: * Minimum of ten (10+) years relevant and increasingly responsible experience in the field of environmental education or a related discipline, with a record of successful career growth leading to significant management responsibilities at an executive level, leadership experience, and a proven track record in strategic business planning preferably in a non-profit, learning organization and management experience in delivering engaging educational experience, preferably in a visitor attraction or related information learning environment.
• Previous experience working at a senior level in a botanical garden or similar organization will be an advantage. * Demonstrated capacity to develop and implement programs that can be evaluated for their impact; environmental conservation, ecology, biology, sustainability, and science. * Budget development and management skills. * Demonstrated analytical, problem resolution, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to collaboratively, create, prioritize and execute realistic and workable priorities in a sophisticated environment. * Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite and applicable division-related programs. * Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with a high-level ability to engender trust in relationships with members of the external business, education, horticulture and research communities. * Demonstrated orientation toward people as well as student focus.
• Possess an established record of accomplishment of collaborative skills and be able to represent the institution in the community. * Demonstrates the highest level of professional and ethical conduct, knowledge and understanding of organizational policies, procedures, and systems, maintains confidentiality. * Must be able to manage multiple priorities, work under pressure, demonstrate and instill in staff members a high degree of professionalism, integrity, loyalty, and service to the organization. * Extensive knowledge of, and experience with, inquiry and investigation-based teaching.
• Familiarity with interpretative programs and techniques. * Knowledge of formal education requirements and trends. * Knowledge of educational, horticultural, research and sustainability practices. * Knowledge of grant research, negotiation, and writing skills.
• Familiar with web-based programming. * Scheduling flexibility to work weekends, holidays, and evenings, as needed is required. * Ability to travel occasionally (local and/or domestic and international) as needed. * Must have received or be willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccination by date of hire to be considered.

Proof of vaccination will be required. * The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required. Competencies * Senior Leadership: Senior Leadership competency incorporates a cluster of knowledge, skills and abilities including business acumen, strategic thinking and people leadership. * Communication – Listens to others and asks questions for clarification; Writes clearly and presents information accurately; Speaks professionally and responds well to questions; Supports positive visitor relations.

• Collaboration – Demonstrates teamwork and promotes respect in the workplace; Engages in problem-solving and group initiatives; Cooperates in implementing procedures and process improvements; Strives for positive visitor experiences. * Accountability – Demonstrates commitment to responsibilities and adaptability to changes; Effectively prioritizes, troubleshoots and takes appropriate actions; Follows policies and procedures, meets deadlines, quality, and safety standards; Strives to proactively, address visitor and internal colleagues concerns. * Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems; Includes supervisor before taking action as necessary; Recommends solutions, demonstrates creativity and resourcefulness; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment in decision making process; Includes appropriate people in making decisions. * Stewardship – Promotes and adheres to sustainability, safety and security protocols; Fosters a culture of respect, diversity and inclusion; Demonstrates effective and prudent use of Garden resources; Maximizes contributions during work hours Education: * Master’s degree in education, botany, biology, science, with a minor specialization in education, botany, biology, horticulture, or science; Ph D.

desired. * An equivalent combination of skills, education and experience may be considered. Other Skills and Abilities: * Interest in the Garden’s mission and programs is a plus. * Demonstrated leadership capabilities, analytical, problem resolution, budget development and execution skills and decision-making skills.

Language Skills: * Ability to communicate effectively in English (oral/written). Mathematical Skills: * Proficient College Math Aptitude – Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; calculate percentages and decimals, etc. * Ability to understand, analyze and create budgets. Reasoning Ability: * Ability to exercise independent judgment in the observation, analysis and resolution of issues.

• Ability to exercise independent judgment in the allocation of resources. Computer Skills: * Proficiency in navigating through various PC applications including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite (i.e., PowerPoint, Excel and Word) or a similar application. * Thorough understanding of how to create and analyze spreadsheets and financial software applications. * Solid Internet research skills.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: N/A Physical Demands: * Ability to utilize computer keyboard (typing). * Ability to lift and carry up to 25 lbs. * May be required to perform tasks at varying heights (i.e., step stools, etc.) * Ability to walk about facility frequently throughout the workday, and sit for extended periods of the workday (may sit up to 75% of workday). Work Environment: * Climate-controlled buildings.

• A private office that resides in a shared cubical office environment. * Comfortable working in immediate proximity to staff and outside contacts, in a safe and friendly manner, answering questions regarding human resource policies and procedures. * Occasional travel is required. Contacts with Individuals/Organizations inside/outside the Garden: * Leaders in fields represented above * Community leaders * Financial organizations * Vendors * Board of Trustees * Garden staff and volunteers

Job Type: Full-time