Executive Director, Sarah P. Duke Gardens

Gilder Search Group; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Gilder Search Group is seeking an Executive Director for Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham, North Carolina. The Director will lead a premier botanic garden, fostering community engagement and sustainability. The ideal candidate has strong leadership experience in public gardens and a passion for horticulture. Competitive salary and benefits are offered for this visionary leadership role aimed at positioning the garden for long-term success.

Qualifications

• Experience in leadership roles at gardens, arboreta, or similar public spaces.
• Ability to develop long-term vision and secure resources.
• Strong relational skills for community engagement.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage Sarah P. Duke Gardens.
• Build partnerships for sustainability and growth.
• Articulate and implement compelling vision for the Gardens.

Skills

Leadership in public gardens

Horticulture passion

Strategic planning

Environmental sustainability

Job description

Executive Director, Sarah P. Duke Gardens

Sarah P. Duke Gardens is a 55-acre botanic garden in the heart of Duke University that inspires transformative learning, promotes wellness, and builds community. It is considered one of the premier public gardens in the United States and consistently ranked as the most visited attraction in Durham, N.C. Duke Gardens is open 365 days per year and welcomes more than 650,000 visitors annually without an admission fee.

The role is a collaborative and visionary leadership position focused on building meaningful relationships and embracing the possibilities and responsibilities inherent in leading a high‑profile public garden within a university environment. The Executive Director will develop the resources and relationships necessary to position the institution for long‑term sustainability and guide it into its next exciting stage.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced leader of gardens, arboreta, or other public spaces with a genuine passion for horticulture, conservation, and environmental sustainability. They will be a strategic leader who can articulate a compelling long‑term vision for the Gardens, generate broad investment in that vision, and secure the necessary resources to ensure its successful implementation.

Sarah P. Duke Gardens offers a competitive salary and benefits package.