Director, Garden Events

The Director, Garden Events leads the vision, strategy, and management of innovative garden events and signature experiences to increase visitation, generate revenue, and enhance the Dallas Arboretum's position as a premier botanical garden and cultural destination. Reporting to the Vice President, Sales & Garden Events, the Director serves as the organization’s project lead for seasonal and year-round garden events, guiding these projects from conception and development through implementation and performance.

What You Will Do

Develop project plans, schedules, budgets, and implementation strategies that align creative vision with operational requirements. Lead the strategic development and delivery of the Arboretum's garden-events portfolio from concept development through close out. Create innovative events that complement and support festivals, exhibitions, and seasonal displays.

Why It Might Be a Fit

The ideal candidate will have a proven ability to supervise teams, develop staff, and foster a culture of collaboration and innovation. They will have demonstrated success leading complex cross-functional projects involving budgets, schedules, and external partners. The candidate will be able to work occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by Arboretum and garden-event schedules.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Event Management, Hospitality, Marketing, Business, or Certified Event Planner
• Minimum of 7+ years of applicable experience, including supervisory or team leadership experience, producing garden events, public events, festivals, or destination programming
• Proven ability to supervise teams, develop staff, and foster a culture of collaboration and innovation
• Demonstrated success leading complex cross-functional projects involving budgets, schedules, and external partners
• Experience in budget management and long-term planning
• Experience coordinating vendors, contractors, consultants, artists, and other external partners
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent project management training
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and project management software

Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare
• 401K
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Commitment to the mission and values of the Dallas Arboretum