Executive Director

Holland America-Princess (Holland America Dawson City Inn); Anchorage (AK); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Alaska Botanical Garden seeks an inspiring, relationship-driven Executive Director to lead a transforming nonprofit through growth and expansion, guiding a twelve-person year-round team, working with a committed Board, and advancing a bold strategic vision.

With a multi-year capital campaign underway, the Director will partner with counsel to mobilize donors, strengthen programs, and enhance community engagement while stewarding Alaska's premier public garden in Anchorage.

Qualifications

• Seven or more years of senior leadership experience in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization.
• Experience building relationships with donors, partners, and boards.
• Strong financial, operational, and organizational leadership skills.
• Excellent communication and team leadership abilities.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of the Master Plan and guide organizational growth.
• Serve as primary fundraiser and lead capital campaign efforts.
• Develop and manage annual operating budget and long-term sustainability.
• Build relationships with donors, partners, and community stakeholders.
• Oversee programs, education, gardens, and visitor experiences.

Skills

Donor relations

Financial management

Nonprofit leadership

Strategic planning

Communication

Staff leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

Position Overview

The Alaska Botanical Garden seeks an inspiring, relationship-driven leader to lead one of Alaska's most beloved cultural and environmental institutions through a transformational period of growth and expansion. Building on a strong organizational foundation, the Executive Director will lead a talented staff, partner with an engaged Board of Directors, deepen community relationships, and advance a bold vision for the Garden's future.

At a pivotal moment in its history, the Garden has outgrown its existing facilities and is preparing for a transformative expansion. Guided by an adopted Master Plan and informed by a recently completed feasibility study, the Garden Expansion Project will enhance visitor experiences, expand educational opportunities, and strengthen the organization's long-term sustainability. The Executive Director will provide leadership for this multi-year initiative, partnering closely with the Board and experienced campaign counsel to launch and lead a successful capital campaign.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of one of North America's most distinctive public gardens while living and working in the extraordinary natural landscape of Anchorage, Alaska. The strongest candidates may come from botanical gardens, museums, parks, conservation organizations, universities, science centers, or other mission-driven organizations and will bring the curiosity to learn, the humility to collaborate with technical experts, and the leadership skills to inspire people around a shared vision. This position offers the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy by leading a beloved community institution through one of the most significant moments in its history.

About the Alaska Botanical Garden

The Alaska Botanical Garden is where northern landscapes, science, and community come together in a spectacular 110-acre setting in Anchorage, Alaska. Surrounded by boreal forest and showcasing the resilience and beauty of northern horticulture, the Garden inspires curiosity, stewardship, and connection to the natural world through gardens, trails, education, and year-round experiences.

As an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Garden welcomes more than 27,000 visitors each year through educational programs, public events, volunteer opportunities, and nationally recognized plant collections, including its accredited Meconopsis (Himalayan blue poppy) collection. More than a destination, the Garden serves as a community gathering place where people of all ages discover the unique plants, ecosystems, and landscapes that define Alaska.

With an annual operating budget of approximately $1.1 million and a dedicated team of 12 year-round staff, supplemented by seasonal employees during the busy summer months, the Garden is recognized for its collaborative culture, commitment to environmental stewardship, and meaningful community impact. The organization is guided by a visionary Master Plan and is well positioned to build on its strong foundation while inspiring future generations to appreciate Alaska's unique landscapes.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead implementation of the 2024 Strategic Master Plan in partnership with the Board
• Guide the organization through a period of growth, aligning operations and capacity with increasing demand
• Guide strategic decisions that support excellence in public garden management, horticultural stewardship, and visitor experiences
• Provide leadership for the planning and advancement of the Garden Expansion Project

Board Relations & Governance

• Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors
• Support effective governance, board engagement, and development
• Provide timely and transparent reporting on organizational performance and strategic initiatives

Fundraising

• Serve as the organization's chief fundraiser and relationship builder
• Lead a comprehensive fundraising and earned revenue strategy that strengthens the Garden's long-term financial sustainability
• Provide executive leadership for all phases of the capital campaign supporting the Garden Expansion Project, in partnership with campaign counsel and the Board of Directors
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and strategic philanthropic partners

Financial Management

• Develop and manage the annual operating budget of approximately $1.1 million
• Ensure sound financial practices, reporting, and long-term sustainability
• Align financial planning with strategic priorities and capital investments

External Relations & Community Engagement

• Serve as the primary spokesperson and ambassador for ABG
• Build and maintain strong relationships with donors, partners, public agencies, and community stakeholders
• Increase the Garden's visibility and impact locally, statewide, and regionally, including within the national public garden and horticultural community

Programs & Operations

• Partner with experienced staff to ensure excellence across horticulture, education, public programs, collections, landscapes, facilities, and visitor experiences
• Champion horticultural excellence, ecological stewardship, and climate-appropriate practices
• Support the development and delivery of engaging, accessible educational programs, public events, and community experiences that advance the Garden’s mission
• Ensure high-quality visitor experiences that inspire learning, connection, and stewardship of Alaska's unique landscapes
• Support planning, design, and implementation of expansion-related improvements with attention to programmatic needs, horticultural integrity, and long-term maintenance

Staff Leadership & Organizational Culture

• Lead a team of 12 year-round staff representing education, guest services and facilities departments, with additional seasonal staff during peak months
• Recruit, develop, and retain a high-performing team
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, creative, and mission-driven workplace culture
• Align staffing structure and systems to support organizational growth
• Support a collegial and community-oriented environment that values teamwork, curiosity, flexibility, and shared stewardship of the Garden

Qualifications & Experience

Required:

• Seven or more years of senior leadership experience in a nonprofit, cultural institution, environmental organization, park system, museum, conservation organization, university, or comparable mission-driven organization.
• Experience building relationships with donors, partners, and boards.
• Strong financial, operational, and organizational leadership skills.
• Excellent communication and team leadership abilities.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in nonprofit management, public administration, or a related field.
• Experience with botanical gardens, arboreta, parks, museums, zoos, nature centers, or conservation organizations.
• Capital campaign experience.
• Experience working in northern climates or Alaska.

Core Competencies

• Strategic vision and organizational leadership
• Philanthropic leadership and relationship-building
• Collaborative leadership style with boards, staff, and community partners
• Financial and operational acumen
• Ability to lead through growth and change
• Commitment to environmental stewardship, accessibility, and community impact

Compensation & Work Environment

The Alaska Botanical Garden offers a collaborative, creative, and mission-driven work environment rooted in a shared passion for plants, nature, education, and community. Staff culture is collegial, dedicated, and grounded, with many long-tenured team members who bring deep institutional knowledge and genuine care for the Garden and one another. The Executive Director will be supported by an active and engaged Board of Directors and an experienced senior leadership team guiding day-to-day operations and programs.

The Garden maintains a shared environmentally conscious workspace where teamwork, flexibility, and a s