Director of Operations

Description

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 Director of Operations in our Operations Department! Read below to see if the requirements might be a good fit for you:

Applications will be accepted through October 30, 2026 or until a candidate is found

Position Summary

The Director of Operations provides strategic leadership and direction for all aspects of the Gardens’ facilities and operational infrastructure, including capital planning, construction, maintenance, housekeeping, irrigation, safety, security, and sustainability. This position safeguards and enhances the Gardens’ physical assets, drives operational excellence, and establishes consistently high standards for maintenance, efficiency, safety, and design. Through proactive leadership and effective resource management, the Director ensures a safe, clean, visually exceptional, and welcoming environment for visitors and employees.

Requirements

General Duties and Responsibilities

• Directs the planning, development, management, and oversight of Operations department budgets to ensure effective financial stewardship.
• Provides comprehensive leadership for Operations staffing, including recruitment, training, supervision, performance management, coaching, recognition, corrective action, cross-training, and team development.
• Directs all Operations functions, including HVAC, carpentry, facility and grounds maintenance, housekeeping, security, irrigation, water features, and supporting systems.
• Ensures Gardens’ facilities are operated safely, efficiently, and reliably while delivering an exceptional experience for visitors and employees.
• Establishes priorities for capital repairs and equipment replacement and leads approved projects from planning through completion.
• Provides executive oversight for construction projects, Capital Improvement Projects and Funding (CIP/CIF), and City and County of Denver construction initiatives.
• Develops a relationship with the City and County of Denver to ensure communication channels for CIP, permitting, Hazardous Waste and annual building inspections.
• Reviews and interprets construction documents and ensures projects adhere to approved plans, specifications, and industry standards.
• Leads ISO certification and recertification efforts and ensures compliance with Environmental Management System policies and requirements, as required by the City and County of Denver.
• Develops, implements, and continuously improves comprehensive safety and security programs for Denver Botanic Gardens.
• Directs operational responses to severe weather, snow events, emergencies, and natural or human-caused disasters to protect people, property, and organizational continuity.
• Serves as a primary liaison with external agencies, utilities, and service providers, including wastewater management, fire departments, and public works.
• Ensures Denver Botanic Gardens comply with all applicable laws, codes, and regulatory requirements, including ADA, OSHA, workers’ compensation, hazardous materials handling, prevailing-wage, and MBE/WBE requirements. 
• Partners with the Chief Executive Officer to assess operational conditions and determine the Gardens’ operating status during emergencies or significant disruptions.
• Provides operational guidance and support for exhibit installations and special events.
• Updates, maintains, and publishes the Denver Botanic Gardens Disaster Preparedness Plan.
• Maintains positive, respectful, helpful, and solution-oriented relationships with colleagues, members, visitors, contractors, and community partners.
• Regular attendance at the worksite may be 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

• Strong leadership, staff-development, budgeting, project-management, contract-management, and customer-service skills.
• Ability to interpret construction documents and apply standard construction practices.
• Knowledge of facilities operations, HVAC, carpentry, irrigation, water features, security, grounds maintenance, and motorized equipment used in outdoor environments.
• Knowledge of ISO certification, environmental-management systems, emergency preparedness, and applicable safety and regulatory requirements.
• Strong organizational, analytical, communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, respond effectively to emergencies, and collaborate with internal and external partners.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications and standard office equipment.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime as operational needs require.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in facilities management, construction management, engineering, business administration, public administration, or a related field; equivalent professional experience or a combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Minimum of ten years of progressively responsible supervisory or managerial experience, including responsibility for facilities operations and customer service.
• Experience with contract and project management, general plant operations, security, irrigation, water features, budgeting, capital projects, and construction oversight.
• Professional training or certification in facilities management, project management, workplace safety, emergency management, or ISO standards is preferred.

Travel:

Up to 10% 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!