Director of Grounds & Horticulture

Overview:

We believe that outdoor spaces can tell powerful stories—and that carefully curated botanical environments elevate the beauty, sustainability, and soul of any public destination. As Director of Horticulture, you’ll lead the vision, planning, and execution behind a beloved, dynamic, guest-facing campus here in Knoxville. From tranquil gardens and immersive landscapes to seasonal displays and exhibit backdrops, every plant and pathway plays a part in creating wonder and joy for hundreds of thousands of annual visitors.

This is a senior leadership role that blends landscape design, sustainability strategy, and hands-on operational leadership. You’ll oversee horticulture, groundskeeping, and housekeeping teams, guiding everything from daily maintenance and seasonal displays to long-term capital planning and master plan integration. The best candidates bring deep horticultural knowledge, a collaborative spirit, and a desire to shape the future of a beloved community landmark.

We’re looking for someone who sees plants as part of a living collection, landscapes as platforms for engagement, and their team as the core of a high-quality guest experience. If you’re equally excited by pruning schedules and strategic planning sessions, this could be the place where your leadership takes root and grows.

Supervises:

• Horticulture
• Grounds
• Housekeeping teams

Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning & Leadership:  Develop and drive long-term horticulture and grounds strategy aligned with campus-wide mission, sustainability goals, and guest experience standards.
• Landscape & Horticultural Operations:  Oversee plant selection, installation, irrigation, pruning, integrated pest management, and browse program coordination, ensuring beauty, health, and biodiversity across the grounds.
• Design & Renovation Projects:  Lead new landscape design, renovation, and planting efforts for both guest-facing spaces and private spaces; contribute to large-scale master plan and park redevelopment efforts.
• Team Development & Supervision:  Manage and mentor horticulture, grounds, and housekeeping teams, including full-time staff, interns, and seasonal help; foster safety, accountability, and growth.
• Cleanliness & Guest Readiness:  Ensure public pathways, restrooms, offices, and outdoor spaces are clean, welcoming, and ready to exceed guest expectations every day.
• Compliance & Documentation:  Maintain records for plant collections, pesticide use, safety documentation, and regulatory compliance (USDA, OSHA, EPA, ADA, etc.).
• Budgeting & Resource Management:  Develop and manage department budgets, source and purchase materials, and optimize use of labor and resources.
• Interdepartmental Collaboration:  Coordinate with operations, exhibits, and events teams to align landscaping and grounds efforts with broader goals and timelines.
• Event & Exhibit Support:  Lead setup, takedown, and design of special exhibits or event-related displays; contribute to interpretive programming when applicable.
• Community Engagement & Outreach:  Plan and host annual horticulture-focused events; represent the organization through public programs, AZA participation, and professional talks.

Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in horticulture, landscape architecture, forestry, or related field—or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum 3–5 years of supervisory experience in botanical gardens, landscaping, or similar public environments.
• Experience in museums, parks, theme parks, zoos, or other public attractions highly preferred.

Qualifications

• Horticultural Expertise:  Strong knowledge of regional plant species, propagation, landscape maintenance, and invasive/pest control best practices.
• Technical Skills:  Comfortable with MS Office and scheduling software; GIS or landscape design tools a plus. Ability to read blueprints and irrigation schematics.
• Equipment Operation:  Familiarity with mowers, skid steers, chainsaws, irrigation systems, and other landscape tools.
• Leadership & Communication:  Proven ability to lead, mentor, and schedule teams in a fast-paced, high-standards environment.
• Guest-First Mentality:  Understands the importance of visual quality, cleanliness, and hospitality across all physical spaces

Benefits

Benefits

• Medical, Dental Vision
• 401(k) matching
• PTO

Compensation:

• $75,000–$85,000