Director Of Programs
Mission Statement: Queens Botanical Garden is an urban oasis where people, plants and cultures are celebrated through inspiring gardens, innovative educational programs, and demonstrations of environmental stewardship.

Queens Botanical Garden (QBG) is a private nonprofit cultural institution located on 39 acres of New York City public land in Flushing, New York. In FY21 (a pandemic year), the Garden served 159,185 visitors, including 9,544 schoolchildren. A recently completed visitor survey reveals that 45% of visitors speak a language other than English at home. This fact underscores the importance of the mission and the challenges and opportunities QBG faces daily in creating programs, exhibits and landscapes that serve the needs of people who live in and visit one of the most ethnically diverse counties in the nation. The Garden has committed itself to addressing the complex and ever-changing needs of its diverse community and to being the place where people, plants, and cultures meet.

About This Opportunity

The Director of Programs will be responsible for developing, leading, and overseeing all education and public programs for Queens Botanical Garden. As the Garden prepares to break ground on a $32 million Education Center in early 2023, the Director of Programs will work with four Education Managers and the Public Programs Manager to innovate programmatic offerings that reflect the Garden as the place where “people, plants, and cultures meet” and build upon our respected environmental education programs, dynamic public programs, sustainable management and operations, and culturally responsive activities. The Education Center, which will include a 16,000 square foot building and its surrounding landscapes, presents a critical moment of growth and opportunity for the Garden’s programs. The Director of Programs will harness the unique attributes of the Garden’s 39 acres, including the upcoming Education Center, to strengthen and expand upon the Garden’s current suite of programs. Their leadership will further solidify QBG’s role as the premier place of environmental education, cultural experiences, and unexpected, interactive encounters with the natural world in the heart of Queens.

Reporting to the Executive Director, and working closely with the Director of Development, Deputy Director/Director of Operations, and other key staff, the Director of Programs will provide leadership of all program development and operations, ensure program quality of the highest level, build partnerships with schools, non-profits, institutions, and other stakeholders, and work to bring in resources for QBG education and public programs. The Director of Programs will be a member of the Garden’s five-person senior leadership team.

Responsibilities:

Organizational Development and Leadership

• Work with the Executive Director and Board of Directors on strategic planning and organizational goals and priorities, with a focus on the new Education Building.
• Move forward ideas in the strategic plan and master plan, and collaborate with other departments to build cohesive, interdependent relationships for strong, innovative programs.
• Collaborate with key staff to meld garden interpretation, education, and visitor experience.
• Represent the organization at conferences, events, high level meetings, and dialogues with potential funders and supporters.
• Oversee hiring, training, supervision, and coaching of relevant program staff.
• Create and execute staffing plans for Education Department.
• Assist the Director of Development on proposals, program funding initiatives and opportunities, and seeking revenue streams.

Programs

• Oversee and monitor development and implementation of all current education and public programs, including on-site education programs, Urban Advantage, CASA school based programs, off-site events and special trainings and workshops for both young people and adults.
• Develop science-based and environmental education curriculum and trainings for youth of all ages in collaboration with education staff.
• Design and implement professional learning trainings for teachers, educators, and adult education participants.
• Collaborate with designated staff to track, analyze, and utilize program outcomes information.
• Build relationships with funders, contract program managers, school personnel, and partner organizations to further program goals and success.
• Work with Public Programs team to conceptualize, design, and implement dynamic events for the public.
• Supervise Education Managers, Public Program Manager, and work closely with the Farm and Compost teams on their educational and programmatic efforts

Administration

• Oversee and coordinate the submission of contract work plans, budgets, and invoices and fee for service opportunities with designated staff.
• Produce Program Report for Board of Directors on a quarterly basis.
• Track organizational impact and numbers reached for all programs.
• Monitor revenue and expense budgets for all programs throughout the year.
• Reconcile monthly credit card expenses.
• Work with Public Programs and Education team to set strategy for achieving earned revenue and monitor goals and progress, and develop new models, funding streams, and strategies for developing low-cost/free programs.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Master’s degree in a related field and ten (10) years of relevant professional experience. Experience working for a cultural institution or similar site strongly desired; work in or with New York City schools a plus.
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing multiple projects and programs, supervising personnel, and managing teams.
• Knowledge of and passion for environmental science/issues, farm/horticulture education, and environmental sustainability practices.
• Knowledge of outcomes measurement, program quality tools, and other methods to ensure excellence.
• Experience with innovating and creating new programming.
• Experience managing multiple contracts with demanding performance measures and outcomes.
• Direct experience working with and designing standards-based curriculum.
• Experience creating and delivering professional development for educators and adult learners.
• Excellent facilitation, consensus-building and interpersonal skills.
• Initiative, creativity, and ability to juggle multiple tasks independently.
• Excellent communication, writing, organizational, and technology skills.
• Experience with grant writing and resource development.
• Demonstrated understanding and commitment to working in culturally diverse settings and using DEI and antiracist practices.
• Foreign language skills a plus, especially Spanish or Mandarin

Queens Botanical Garden is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). The Garden does not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, age, disability (physical or mental), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, parental status, marital status, political affiliation, gender expression, mental illness, socioeconomic status or background, neuro(a)typicality, physical appearance, predisposing genetic characteristic, immigration status, or any other legally protected status. Minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact Human Resources.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $85,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

COVID-19 considerations:
Proof of full Covid-19 vaccination required for employment. Mask wearing required in indoor spaces and when interacting in close proximity with other.

Work Location: One location