Description

 Botanical Garden of the Ozarks - Fayetteville, Arkansas

Department: Horticulture

Title: Manager, Horticulture and Design
Job Type: Full-time, salaried, exempt

About the Garden

The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks (BGO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public garden located in Fayetteville, Arkansas. BGO features 12 themed gardens, the state’s only Butterfly House, and welcomes more than 100,000 visitors annually. Our mission is to provide education, to promote environmental awareness, and to serve as a community destination for unique nature experiences.

BGO is one of only two public botanical gardens in Northwest Arkansas and the only one located in Fayetteville, making it a cornerstone for horticultural education and inspiration in the region. Now approaching its 20th anniversary, BGO is poised for its most exciting chapter yet - with major capital projects underway, new community partnerships taking shape, and a vision focused on deepening horticultural excellence and regional impact.

Position Summary

The Manager, Horticulture and Design is a key creative and strategic leader in shaping the next generation of the Garden’s landscape and plant collections. This role calls for a professional with both vision and technical mastery - someone who can think in seasons and years, not just weeks and months. Working in close collaboration with the Director of Horticulture & Operations, the Manager, Horticulture and Design will develop and execute a multi-year horticultural plan that elevates the Garden’s aesthetic, strengthens its living collections, and enhances its role as a hub for learning and inspiration.

This is a hands-on position that serves on the Garden’s Leadership Team and works in tandem with the Manager, Operations, forming two complementary roles that together support the Director of Horticulture & Operations and the broader horticulture and operations staff. The Manager, Horticulture and Design will lead and engage volunteers, establish and maintain garden display standards, and connect horticulture with education, interpretation, and visitor experience. The role requires strong public engagement skills and the ability to represent the Garden through talks, tours, and educational programs.

This is a rare opportunity to leave a lasting mark on a maturing public garden—to design, plan, and innovate within an organization eager to invest in the future of its landscape and the professional growth of its team.

Key Responsibilities

Vision & Planning

•     Lead the development of multi-season and multi-year planting and design plans that reflect BGO’s mission and interpretive goals.
•     Partner with the Director of Horticulture & Operations to define the Garden’s long-term horticultural strategy and priorities.

Design & Display Leadership

•     Design cohesive, high-impact displays to engage and inspire visitors year-round.
•     Serve as a creative resource to ensure a unified visual and interpretive standard across all Garden areas.
•     Lead the curation and interpretation of plantings, displays, and gardens as part of the Garden’s educational mission.

Collections Management

•     Guide the evolution of BGO’s living collections through thoughtful acquisition, curation, documentation and record keeping.
•     Develop and maintain plant records and a database of plantings and acquisitions.
•     Collaborate with local and regional partners to advance plant conservation and education initiatives.
•     Perform duties related to design, maintenance, and display presentation while managing volunteers and day-to-day horticultural tasks.

Mentorship & Collaboration

•     Provide professional guidance to staff, interns, and volunteers.
•     Positively contribute to a collaborative team culture centered on learning, creativity, and community engagement.
•     Support cross-departmental initiatives that connect horticulture with education, events, public programming, and fundraising.
•     Participate in Leadership Team meetings to align horticulture goals with broader organizational priorities.
•     Represent BGO publicly through tours, talks, and educational programs that engage diverse audiences.

Qualifications

•     Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Horticulture.
•     Minimum 3 years of professional experience in a public garden, botanical garden, or equivalent.
•     Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
•     Proven ability to engage the public through garden talks, tours, or education programs.
•     Demonstrated skill in horticultural design, long-range planning, and plant selection.
•     Demonstrated skills in plant production, growth, management, and curation.
•     Expertise in plant identification, with strong knowledge of native and ornamental species suited to our region.
•     Experience developing horticultural plans or managing garden collections.

Why Northwest Arkansas?

Fayetteville is the second-largest city in Arkansas and part of one of the nation’s fastest-growing and most dynamic metro areas. The Northwest Arkansas region is home to three Fortune 500 corporate campuses, the University of Arkansas, and world-renowned cultural institutions such as Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Momentary.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary: commensurate with experience
Full-time, exempt position with benefits, paid leave, and retirement plan with employer match
Professional development and continuing education opportunities supported by the Garden

How to Apply

Submit a cover letter, résumé, portfolio (maximum 10 pages), and three professional references in a single PDF to awardlow@bgozarks.org with the subject line: Manager, Horticulture and Design – [Your Name].

BGO is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants of all backgrounds. We value inclusion, accessibility, and diverse perspectives.