President and CEO

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3 Dec

2025

Full-Time President and CEO

Seattle Botanic Gardens – Posted by jobelephant – Seattle , Washington, United States

Job Description

Seattle Botanic Gardens

President & CEO

Salary range : $250,000 – $290,000

Location : Seattle, WA

Seattle Botanic Gardens (SBG) is conducting a nationwide search for its inaugural President & CEO to guide the integration of two closely aligned organizations—the University of Washington Botanic Garden (UWBG) and The Arboretum Foundation—into a single entity positioned to take full advantage of their extraordinary shared resources.

For the past 90 years, the Arboretum Foundation has stewarded the Washington Park Arboretum, both as a freely accessible public park and as one of the finest collections of woody plants in the world. For the past 50 years, the UWBG has managed that collection, conducted extensive botanical and environmental research, and provided educational opportunities for toddlers, schoolchildren, and adults.

Together, we will be a single institution of national significance—capable of furthering our mission and executing ambitious capital projects. Our new leader will need to be an inspirational builder, though the foundations are firmly in place.

Fast Facts

Seattle Botanic Gardens welcomes more than 600,000 visitors annually.

The 230-acre Washington Park Arboretum houses more than 40,000 plants from 107 countries.

The Center for Urban Horticulture includes gardens, research facilities, and the Rare Care plant conservation program and seed vault.

The 74-acre Union Bay Natural Area is the second-largest natural system on Lake Washington and a premier bird-watching site.

The 3.5-acre Seattle Japanese Garden is a traditional stroll garden.

A future 28-acre Montlake Peninsula site is anticipated in ~2031.

In 2026, the Arboretum Foundation and UWBG are combining into one organization.

The Washington Park Arboretum was founded in 1934.

The Center for Urban Horticulture opened in 1984 as a hub for plant research.

Seattle is known for natural beauty, innovation, outdoor recreation, and environmental leadership.

The Organization

The Arboretum Foundation and UWBG are joining forces to create one unified organization. This combination brings together :

Public park spaces loved by visitors from around the world

World-class plant collections used for research and conservation

Educational programs that connect thousands of people with nature

Gardens that serve as outdoor classrooms and peaceful gathering spaces

The new organization will manage public use, plant care, science education, and community programs across multiple sites. Once unified, SBG will have more resources, stronger programs, and greater impact than either organization alone.

A major opportunity ahead is developing the 28-acre Montlake Peninsula, returning to the Arboretum in 2031. This once-in-a-generation project will require raising $100–$150 million and creating a new vision for welcoming visitors and serving the community.

Opportunities for Impact

Organizational Integration

The President & CEO will unite two organizations with different histories and cultures into one strong, cohesive team. This includes key hires, building systems for 50+ staff, and cultivating a workplace culture grounded in learning, collaboration, inclusion, and respect.

Vision & Strategic Leadership

Develop a clear, inspiring vision that communicates why this organization matters to Seattle’s future. Guide strategic planning, involve staff and partners, and strengthen SBG’s reputation as a world-class botanic garden.

Community Engagement & Partnerships

Strengthen relationships with key partners including Seattle Parks and Recreation, elected officials, tribal leadership, and the Japanese American community. Engage diverse communities and position SBG as essential to Seattle’s identity.

Lead efforts to raise $100–$150 million for the Montlake Peninsula project and grow annual fundraising. Build donor relationships, support development staff, and establish long-term fundraising systems.

Programs & Operations

Support exceptional plant care, conservation work, research partnerships, and expanded educational programs. Help SBG prepare for climate change impacts while ensuring financial sustainability and operational excellence.

Leadership Profile

If you’re excited about this opportunity but don’t meet every listed qualification, please apply anyway. We welcome a broad range of experience, including professional, volunteer, lived, direct, and transferable skills.

We’re seeking candidates with successes in some or all of the following areas :

Qualifications

Leadership

Experience managing organizational change during mergers or major transitions

Collaborative leadership style that empowers teams and builds trust

Proven senior leadership experience (President, CEO, COO, or similar)

Ability to create an inclusive, respectful workplace

Commitment to listening to staff, board, partners, and community voices

Financial management experience (budgets, fundraising, sustainability)

Strategic thinking plus operational oversight

Strong partnership with boards of directors

Partnerships / External Relations

Experience working with government agencies, universities, or complex institutions

Consultation with tribal governments and Indigenous partnerships

Experience with diverse communities and equity-focused practices

Success in major gifts, capital campaigns, and donor engagement

Capital campaign leadership of $25M or more

Knowledge of the region’s philanthropic community

Mission Alignment

Commitment to public gardens, plant conservation, and connecting people with nature

Experience in botanic gardens, zoos, aquariums, museums, or similar institutions

Understanding of university culture and academic research

Horticultural, botanical, or landscape design knowledge

Personal Qualities

Emotional intelligence and ability to navigate sensitive situations

Understanding of nonprofit governance, strategy, finances, and operations

Ability to balance many interests and move the organization forward

Skill in uniting people around a shared vision

Clear written, spoken, and interpersonal communication

Resilience and positivity during challenges

Ability to represent the organization publicly and in the media

The annual salary range is $250,000 – $290,000, depending on experience.

Seattle Botanic Gardens offers competitive salaries and benefits, professional development opportunities, and a commitment to equity and inclusion.

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plan with employer contribution

Generous paid time off

The position is open until filled, with priority deadline January 9, 2025. Please submit :

A cover letter (two pages or less), addressed to the President & CEO Search Committee

Your resume

Why are you interested in this role?

How does your experience align with our mission and values?

What would you bring to this moment in our organization’s history?

Human communities and ecosystems both thrive through diversity. Seattle Botanic Gardens welcomes candidates of all races, ethnicities, genders, abilities, identities, religions, and ages with diverse viewpoints and lived experience.

Seattle Botanic Gardens will be an inspiring place to work. This is a once-in-a-century opportunity to bring some of Seattle’s most beloved places together under one dynamic, diverse, engaged organization.

• The name Seattle Botanic Gardens has not been formally adopted.

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