Executive Director

Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden; Key West (FL); On-site; USD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Hire The Keys in Key West, FL invites an Executive Director to serve as CEO of the Garden, guiding strategy, operations, fundraising, and community engagement. The role reports to the Board of Directors and leads a capital campaign for a new Education Center to expand education, conservation, and visitation.

Requirements include a Master's degree or equivalent, 7+ years leadership, and demonstrated fundraising success. This is a full-time, on-site position with competitive benefits.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent experience.
• Seven years of progressive leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, donor relations, staff supervision, budgeting, and organizational management.
• Excellent communication and strategic planning skills.
• Capital campaign and public garden or conservation experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning and mission execution.
• Oversee staff, volunteers and daily operations.
• Serve as chief fundraiser; cultivate donors and grants.
• Lead the Education Center capital campaign.
• Manage budgets and financial performance.
• Advance conservation and educational initiatives.
• Serve as spokesperson and ambassador.
• Develop community partnerships and grow visitation, membership and revenue.
• Partner with the Board of Directors on governance, policy, reporting and priorities.
• Represent the Garden to government agencies, educational institutions, businesses, nonprofits, media and community stakeholders.
• Lead and complete a major capital campaign for a new Education Center.
• Cultivate major donors, foundations, corporations and public-sector partners.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Staff supervision

Budgeting

Strategic planning

Communication

Education

Master's degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Position Summary

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive officer of the Garden, providing strategic leadership, operational oversight, fundraising, financial stewardship, and community engagement to advance its mission, conservation priorities, educational programs, and long-term sustainability. The Executive Director partners closely with the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, donors, and community stakeholders to advance the Garden’s impact and long-term sustainability. The Executive Director is a full-time exempt position and reports directly to the Board of Directors.

Key Responsibilities

Lead strategic planning and mission execution; oversee staff, volunteers, and daily operations; serve as chief fundraiser; cultivate donors and grants; lead the Education Center capital campaign; manage budgets and financial performance; advance conservation and educational initiatives; serve as spokesperson and ambassador; develop community partnerships; and grow visitation, membership, and revenue.

Board & Community Relations

Partner closely with the Board of Directors on governance, policy, reporting, and strategic priorities. Represent the Garden with government agencies, educational institutions, businesses, nonprofits, media, and community stakeholders.

Transformational Opportunity

A primary focus of this position is leading and completing a major capital campaign for a new Education Center. This signature project will expand educational programming, visitor engagement, conservation outreach, and organizational capacity. The successful candidate will serve as the campaign’s public leader, cultivating major donors, foundations, corporations, and public-sector partners.

Qualifications

Master's degree or equivalent experience; seven years of progressive leadership experience; demonstrated success in fundraising, donor relations, staff supervision, budgeting, and organizational management; excellent communication and strategic planning skills. Capital campaign and public garden or conservation experience preferred.

Performance Measures

Fundraising and capital campaign results, financial sustainability, membership and visitation growth, community engagement, staff effectiveness, partnership development, and achievement of strategic goals.

Pay: From $80,000.00 per year

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location

In person