Associate Director Botanical Gardens
Wellesley College

At Wellesley, our mission is to deliver an outstanding liberal arts education
to women who will make a difference in the world. Our collaborative
community, comprising faculty, students, staff, and alumnae, is guided by
our shared values. We champion intellectual discovery and excellence,
uphold gender equality as foundational to progress, affirm diversity as
crucial to educational excellence, value connection and community, empower
individuals for social change, and commit to integrity and academic freedom
in our pursuit of knowledge. Join us in this transformative journey!

When applying for the position, please ensure a thorough review of the job
details. If you are an internal employee, kindly utilize the internal portal on
Workday for your application. Prepare a comprehensive resume/cv and cover
letter for upload. Acceptable formats for these documents are either PDF
(.pdf) or Word (.doc).

Job Posting Title
Associate Director Botanical Gardens

Job Description Summary
Admin Exempt

Job Description
Wellesley College Botanic Gardens (WCBG) is a curated public garden that supports a holistic liberal arts education, engaging students of all majors and backgrounds in experiential learning with unique botanical resources. All members of the WCBG staff serve as educators, mentoring students and collaborating with faculty/staff partners to co-create, study, and adaptively maintain 20+ acres of designed ecological landscapes, specialty gardens, subtropical greenhouses, and a visitor center, all located centrally on campus.

The Associate Director works in close collaboration with the Director to shape WCBG's educational priorities, and leads student and visitor engagement through communications, interpretation, events, and programs, including research and art-making opportunities. Centering inclusive excellence and advancing diverse approaches to gaining botanical knowledge and skills, the Associate Director cultivates college-wide partnerships to help ensure best use of WCBG's resources for education and community building.

Primary Position Responsibilities:

• Program leadership and administration
  • Lead and manage WCBG experiential learning programs (work-study and internships), including student recruiting, hiring, mentoring, onboarding and community building during the academic year and summer terms
  • Assist the Director with budget planning, program development and assessment
  • Supervise Academic Administrator on routine administrative tasks including gift management, student grant opportunities, and support for students and visitors

• Experiential education in horticulture, ecology, environmental justice, botanical humanities, or other plant-related fields
  • Mentor student and postbac fellow projects in the greenhouses and gardens, such as research, artwork, media, or events, within the Associate Director's expertise
  • Build collaborations with faculty and other campus partners for teaching, research, and programmatic use of the WCBG's resources

• Inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility (IDEA) and community engagement ducation in horticulture, ecology, environmental justice, botanical humanities, or other plant-related fields
  • Lead inclusive community building and campus engagement with the WCBG, in collaboration with students and staff
  • Build collaborations with local or public partners in alignment with IDEA goals, WCBG mission, and Wellesley College mission

• Communications and events
  • Manage student-facing communications and media for WCBG, and assist the Director on communications for the broader Wellesley College community, WCBG Friends, alums and the general public
  • Collaborate with the Director on WCBG-led events, such as the Greenhouse Light Show
  • Coordinate WCBG participation in campus-wide events, including Orientation and Reunion, in collaboration with the Frost Center for Environment, Office of Student Wellness, and other campus partners
  • Supervise the Academic Administrator to support campus events and space use
• Exhibits and interpretation
  • Mentor students and post-bac fellows to co-create WCBG exhibits and interpretive materials that reflect their interests and experiences
  • Work with students and the Academic Administrator to maintain welcoming and informational displays in the Visitor Center and Global Flora Link
• Visitor experience
• • Lead students in managing visitor experience, including training and supervising students as WCBG greeters and tour guides
  • Collaboratively support public visitor hours and events, including possibly some weekend days
  • Work with the Academic Administrator to support visitor access and tours

Supervisor Responsibilities:

• Academic Administrator (for Botanic Gardens portion of shared AA role)
• student assistants
• Post-baccalaureate Fellow, when the focus of the fellowship is on student programs or other aspects of the Associate Director's purview and expertise

Education Required:

• minimum master's degree in a botany-related field, or equivalent experience

Experience Required

• at least one year managing and mentoring students in an educational setting (preferably botanically or environmentally focused)

Skills and Abilities Required:

• excellent communication skills, strong organizational skills and attention to detail, ability to engage and mentor diverse Wellesley students, to build relationships in the broader community, to collaborate productively with staff and faculty across campus, and to work independently towards short-term goals and the larger mission of the WCBG

Company Description
Wellesley's mission is to provide an excellent liberal arts education to women who will make a difference in the world. We advance our mission by working together as a community-faculty, students, staff, and alumnae.
Embark on a fulfilling career journey at Wellesley College, where we prioritize your well-being and professional growth. As a valued member of our team, you'll enjoy a comprehensive array of benefits and resources designed to enhance both your work-life balance and long-term success.

• Competitive Compensation : Experience competitive wages ensuring your dedication is recognized and rewarded.
• Exceptional Benefits Package: Access a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision and pre-tax saving benefits, life insurance, disability coverage, and more to safeguard your health and that of your loved ones.
• Commuting and Transportation: Enjoy the convenience of free parking on our picturesque campus, easily accessible from major roadways. We are also accessible via the MBTA commuter rail.
• Paid Time Off : Take advantage of paid vacations, personal days, sick time, and holidays to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life harmony.
• Retirement Savings : Plan for the future with our retirement savings plan. Wellesley College contributes up to 10.5% towards your 403(b) plan for eligible employees
• Work/Life and Wellness: A hybrid work environment for select positions (additional details will be provided during the interview process), caregiving support through Wellthy, legal plan insurance, pet insurance discount and a variety of other resources including retirement planning, free onsite and virtual fitness classes and access to cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.
• Professional Development: Enhance your skills and explore growth opportunities through continuing training and pathways for growth within our supportive environment.
• Tuition and Education Benefits : Invest in your education with tuition benefits, and access resources to navigate student loan forgiveness, reinforcing our commitment to your ongoing learning.
• Campus Privileges : Enjoy free use of our state-of-the-art athletic and fitness facilities with onsite fitness classes, Library resources, and seize opportunities to attend diverse campus events that contribute to a vibrant community.

Apply today and take your first step toward a rewarding career with Wellesley College - where your unique strengths and success are celebrated as part of our shared commitment to inclusivity!

Worker Sub-Type
Administrative

Time Type
Full time

EEO Statement
At Wellesley, we embrace and honor difference and diversity. We believe the best ideas-the best solutions-draw on a range of voices, perspectives, and experiences. As a college, and as a community, we are dedicated to assuring that all members for the Wellesley community have an equal opportunity to flourish.

Wellesley College is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to the diversity of the college community and the curriculum . Wellesley College and all its subcontractors shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that Wellesley College and all of its subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status. Candidates who believe they can contribute to that goal are encouraged to apply.

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