Vice President & Chief Research Officer

Desert Botanical Garden; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 151,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Desert Botanical Garden seeks a visionary Vice President & Chief Research Officer to define the future of desert research. You will lead a multidisciplinary team of 20+ staff, set strategic priorities, and attract funding to position the Garden as a global leader in desert ecosystems.

Reporting to senior leadership, you will translate science into policy, education, and public understanding, while partnering with universities and funders to advance climate adaptation, biodiversity, and water

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Biology, Ecology, Environmental or Conservation Science, Botany, Horticulture or related field, with arid-land focus preferred.
• Minimum ten years’ experience in relevant science field and management of scientists and staff.
• Proven leadership of research programs with real-world impact.
• Strong track record of securing competitive research funding.
• Strategic thinker who connects science to policy, practice and education.
• Excellent written and verbal communication translating complex science for diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Set and lead the Garden’s research strategy with scientific rigor, relevance and real-world impact.
• Oversee all research and collections programs from concept through execution, evaluation and dissemination.
• Cultivate high-value partnerships with universities, public agencies, and peer institutions.
• Identify, cultivate, and steward collaborative research opportunities to expand capacity and influence.
• Lead the strategy for securing external research funding in collaboration with Development.
• Translate scientific research into accessible insights informing policy, practice, education and public understanding.
• Collaborate with Education, Engagement, and Experience teams to integrate research into programs and exhibits.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate research staff, fostering collaboration and accountability.
• Establish goals, metrics, and evaluation frameworks to assess research outcomes and impact.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Grant writing

Partnership building

Education

Ph.D. in Biology/ Ecology/ Environmental or Conservation Science

Job description

Description

Desert Botanical Garden is seeking a visionary scientific leader to help define the future of desert research. As Vice President & Chief Research Officer, you will set the strategic direction for a multidisciplinary team of more than 20 professionals and position the Garden as a global leader in understanding and protecting desert ecosystems. From climate adaptation and biodiversity to urban heat, water resilience, and threatened species, you will lead research with the power to shape policy, strengthen communities, and drive meaningful change. This is a rare opportunity to build an influential scientific legacy at one of the world’s leading institutions dedicated to desert plants and environments.

Position Purpose

The Vice President & Chief Research Officer (CRO) provides strategic leadership, vision and oversight for the Garden’s research, science and resilience portfolio and leads a multidisciplinary team of more than 20 staff.

Grounded in the Garden’s 2040 Compass, the CRO is responsible for advancing the Garden’s commitment to becoming a global leader in desert research and for generating knowledge that helps desert ecosystems and communities thrive in a changing world. The role leads high-impact, mission-aligned work addressing the most pressing challenges facing deserts, including climate adaptation, biodiversity, urban heat, water resilience and the protection of threatened plant species and habitats.

The CRO positions the Garden as a global center for desert research by establishing clear scientific priorities, strengthening the capabilities and impact of the research team, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and securing external funding. The role also ensures that the Garden’s science is translated into real-world applications that inform public policy, community resilience, education and public understanding.

As a member of the Garden’s senior management team, the CRO works closely with executive and departmental leadership to integrate research and science across institutional planning, partnerships, visitor experiences and the long‑term implementation of the 2040 Compass. The position serves as a visible external representative of the Garden and builds relationships with universities, government agencies, funders, conservation organizations, community partners and other research institutions.

Essential Duties

• Set and lead the Garden’s research strategy, ensuring scientific rigor, relevance, and measurable real‑world impact.
• Oversee all research and collections programs and initiatives, from concept through execution, evaluation, and dissemination.
• Position the Garden as a leading center for desert research through high‑value partnerships with universities, public agencies, and peer institutions.
• Identify, cultivate, and steward collaborative research opportunities that expand capacity, reach, and influence.
• Lead the strategy for securing external research funding, including grants, sponsored research, and philanthropic support, in collaboration with Development.
• Ensure compliance, reporting, and stewardship for all research funding and sponsored projects.
• Translate scientific research into accessible insights that inform policy, practice, education, and public understanding.
• Collaborate with Education, Engagement, and Experience teams to integrate research into programs, exhibits, and learning initiatives.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate research staff and affiliated scientists, fostering a culture of collaboration, excellence, and accountability.
• Establish clear goals, metrics, and evaluation frameworks to assess research outcomes and impact.
• Contribute as a member of the senior leadership team [AS3] to institution‑wide strategy, board partnerships, planning, and long‑term vision.

Position Information

Job Type: Full‑Time, Exempt

Salary: Minimum salary starting at $168,000 annually

Requirements

Competencies

• Ph.D. in Biology, Ecology , Environmental or Conservation Science, Botany, Horticulture or related field; an emphasis on work related to arid land plants and/or habitats preferred or related work experience.
• Minimum ten years’ experience in relevant science field and management of scientists and support staff
• Demonstrated leadership of research programs with applied, real‑world impact.
• Proven ability to build and sustain effective partnerships across academic, public, and private sectors.
• Strong track record of securing competitive research funding.
• Strategic thinker able to connect science to policy, practice, education, and public engagement.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including translating complex science for diverse audiences.
• Collaborative leadership style with high emotional intelligence and cross‑disciplinary credibility.
• Experience working within or alongside cultural, educational, or mission‑driven institutions preferred.
• Demonstrated proficiency in grant writing, research design, and peer‑reviewed publication.
• Working knowledge of conservation policy, regulatory frameworks, and plant‑related permitting requirements.
• Field experience with the ability to work outdoors across varied terrain and environmental conditions.

Equipment Used

Typical office equipment.

Scope of Authority

Review, negotiate, sign, and enforce contracts under direction of the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Create and enforce policies and procedures as needed.

Financial Authority

Overall responsibility for assigned budgets. Authority to approve expenditures up to amount determined by Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

Internal Communication

Frequent interaction with all Garden employees and members of the Board of Trustees.

External Communication

Regular communication with scientists, volunteers, students, funders, and the general public.

Working Conditions

Some physical effort beyond what’s typically required in a normal office environment. Potential for tight deadlines or time periods of high workload may require additional hours. The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal. Must be able to walk, sit, stand, stoop, kneel, bend, see, hear, speak, read, and type. Manual dexterity and the ability to lift up to 10 pounds required. Reasonable accommodations may be made, when necessary and feasible, to allow a qualified individual to perform essential job functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Desert Botanical Garden is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by law.

The Garden fosters and supports workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion to honor the unique perspectives, experiences, and contributions of all, to celebrate successes, and to cultivate individual and institutional excellence.

All employees will help add to the Garden’s diversity and fully embrace it.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and deliverables of the role. This is not a contract and should not be viewed as such. Other duties may be assigned by supervisor and/or his/her/their designee.