About Denver Botanic Gardens: Green inside and out, Denver Botanic Gardens was founded in 1951 and is considered one of the top botanical gardens in the United States and a pioneer in water conservation. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, The Gardens has a robust living plant collection, natural history collection and art collection along with temporary art exhibitions. The Gardens is a dynamic, 24-acre urban oasis in the heart of the city, offering unforgettable opportunities to flourish with unique garden experiences for the whole family – as well as world-class exhibitions, education, and plant conservation research programs. 

For more information, visit us online at www.botanicgardens.org.

Along with the mission of bringing plants to people, our Core Values are a fundamental driver of the Gardens culture. They are:

Sustainability. We are devoted to an institutional, environmental and human sustainability.

Diversity. We champion inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility for all we encounter, and also support programmatic, ecological and plant diversity.

Relevance. We make connections with all people using a lens of inclusion, equity and responsiveness.

Transformation. We believe ever-evolving public gardens change the world and lead to positive transformation of human spirit and knowledge. 

Denver Botanic Gardens is currently seeking a Full Time Executive Director of Chatfield Farms at our Chatfield Farms! Read below to see if the requirements might be a good fit for you:

Applications will be accepted through August 28, 2026 or until a candidate is found

Position Summary

The Executive Director of Chatfield Farms is a key leadership role that provides oversight, management, and direction to the operation and continuous development of Chatfield Farms and its employees. This position works in coordination and collaboration with other Denver Botanic Gardens leadership personnel to ensure quality educational programming, research opportunities, agriculture, ecological restoration, facility operations, and events, that are consistent with the mission of the Gardens and are conducted in a financially sustainable manner. 

The role leads Chatfield Farms in the Gardens’ work to maintain a strategic partnership with the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the property’s owner. Additionally, it builds strategic alliances for Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms and Denver Botanic Gardens as a whole throughout the community and beyond.

General Duties and Responsibilities

• Manages all aspects of daily operations at the site.
• Collaborates with Senior Leaders across the Gardens whose departments provide shared services.
• Develops and implements Denver Botanic Gardens’ Chatfield Farms Business Plan and future strategic plans.
• Plans, develops and monitors Chatfield’s annual budget.
• Collaborates with Denver Botanic Garden’s Mission Leaders to develop and approve projects and events consistent with the high standards of the institution; fulfills mutual accountability expectations and holds colleagues accountable in turn
• In collaboration with Development colleagues, interacts with current and potential supporters of Chatfield Farms.
• Builds and maintains relationships in the community, often attending events and making presentations to community groups.
• Manages and motivates a team of multi-level and multi-department staff, including private events, operations, horticulture and agriculture to support mission and provide a delightful visitor experience to all guests at the location.
• Responsible for developing and implementing 5-year operating plan(s) for the location. Currently collaborates in leading a Master Development Plan involving a multi-phased, multi-million-dollar improvement project.
• Oversees architects, engineers, consultants, contractors and construction managers involved in various location projects, ensuring those projects are delivered on schedule, within budget, and consistent with organization goals and landowner requirements.
• Develops and has oversight of multiple and complex programs.
• Oversees strategic water resources owned by Denver Botanic Gardens and identifies opportunities for acquiring future water supplies and storage in the South Platte River Basin.
• Responsible for overseeing the operation, management, maintenance, and improvement of facilities.
• Responsible for working, coordinating, and collaborating with Denver Botanic Gardens Senior leaders on development, marketing, financial, human resources, education, research, volunteer programs, special events, and other matters.
• Leads various meetings and functions and makes presentations to generate support from a wide range of constituencies and stakeholders.
• Attends meetings and participates on committees on behalf of the Gardens and the Chatfield location’s progress.
• Responsible for the safety and security of all employees, guests and all others at the Chatfield location, including creation and development of policies and procedures, and advocating for the location best practices to the greater organization through leadership in committee work and support.
• Works with all departments to ensure the highest quality experience for all Denver Botanic Gardens visitors.
• Maintains positive working relationships with senior leaders, managers, co-workers, and others.
• Fosters a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation and safety, and continuous improvement.
• Responsible for mentoring managers and developing future organizational leaders.
• Maintains positive, helpful, and solution-oriented demeanor when responding to or serving members and visitors and in fulfilling all other tasks.
• Regular attendance at the worksite is required. As with all positions at Denver Botanic Gardens, the incumbent must be in good performance standing to be eligible for remote work. Remote work is at the discretion of management at all times.
• All Gardens employees must be committed to the mission of connecting people with plants, especially plants from the Rocky Mountain region and similar regions around the world, providing delight and enlightenment to everyone.

Position Qualifications: Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proven experience and ability collaborating with multiple leaders in remote locations leading to consistent successful outcomes.  
• Proven ability to hold employees accountable to the highest performance levels and develop future leader behaviors.
• Proven work ethic and leading by example are a must for this position.
• Must be a leader in providing and modeling impeccable customer service to all.  
• Must demonstrate excellent financial and analytical skills to develop budgets and to review complex bids and construction budgets.
• Proven skills in effective negotiation with diverse stakeholders.
• Must be a skilled motivator and leader of diverse groups of employees and teams.
• Must have proven excellent customer service, interpersonal, and communication skills in dealing with the public.
• Ability to maintain stability under pressure and able to deal well with stressful situations.
• Ability to be flexible and willing to modify plans when necessary, throughout the day.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends and/or holidays.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Suite products, specifically Word, Excel and Outlook and Teams.  
• Ability to work overtime as necessary.
• Must be a positive representative of the Gardens both internally and externally at all times.
• Must work with respect and cooperation at all times with fellow employees and the public.
• Must be committed to working safely at all times.

Experience/Education:

• Bachelors degree and/or combination of education and equivalent experience is required, Masters degree preferred.
• Minimum of 12 years of experience in management, operations, farm management/horticulture, sustainability practices, or related is required.
• Experience leading a fully independent site serving the public is required.
• Experience leading major capital management projects and strong financial planning and budget management experience required.
• Non-profit management experience a plus.
• Farm management experience a plus. 
• Experience with federal land management, and ability to navigate relationships with Federal Land management agents, county and state officials a plus.
• Position requires a valid driver’s license. 

Travel:

Up to 25% travel required. Requires the ability to travel to remote locations (or other Garden locations) where environment may vary significantly.  

Denver Botanic Gardens has an incredible benefits package for eligible employees!

Our major benefits include a choice of Medical Plans, a Dental and Vision Plan and Life Insurance Plan. We have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and a Healthcare Spending Account (HSA).

The Gardens offers a generous Retirement Savings Plan with Company contribution of 6% after one year of service for eligible participants.

The Gardens also offers paid holidays, vacation, sick time, and access to personal lines of insurance. Additional benefits include short-term and long-term disability coverage, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and an RTD ECO pass.

For eligible employees, The Gardens employment also includes a complimentary Denver Botanic Gardens Membership, access to Gardens education classes and summer concert tickets.  

Come work for a place that offers you SO much more than just a paycheck!