Bellevue Botanical Garden Society - Executive Director

About the role

The ED leads the organization with the primary mission of connecting the community to the Garden, through educational programs, visitor services, events, and member engagement.

Responsibilities

• Direct supervision of the Development Director, Youth & Children’s Education Manager, Adult Education Program Manager, Visitor Services Manager, Marketing & Communications Manager, Trillium Store Manager, and contracted accounting and IT services.
• Auditing and improving internal systems and processes to ensure staff are fully supported and that BBGS’s resources are used efficiently.
• Leverage learnings from prior leadership experience to assess and improve internal systems and processes to ensure staff are fully supported and that BBGS’s resources are used efficiently.
• Lead relationships with donors and funders, ensuring continued collaboration with the City of Bellevue through the City’s Garden Director.
• Continue professionalizing the Board of Directors through timely and consistent communication, coaching and mentorship, and member recruitment.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience successfully leading a nonprofit organization of similar size and complexity.
• Financial acumen: conversant with P&L statements and other financial reports, as well as budget development, management and reporting.
• The ability to lead effectively both externally and internally.
• Strong HR knowledge and people management skills, including experience developing equitable staffing structures, transparent employment practices, and policies that align with nonprofit best practices.
• Experience advocating for and investing in employee wellbeing and professional development.
• Demonstrated fundraising and donor development experience.
• Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills, particularly the ability to work effectively with City leadership, staff, volunteers, donors, members, and community partners.
• Authentic, transparent, and approachable leadership with strong communication skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to foster trust, consistency, and a positive organizational culture.

Qualifications

• Nonprofit leadership
• People management
• Strategic planning
• Marketing, messaging, branding, & storytelling
• Process improvement and optimization
• Board relations
• Interpersonal communications
• Business rigor
• Communications & media relations
• Public speaking/delivering presentations
• Fundraising & donor relations
• Constructive problem solving
• Mission alignment
• Active listening
• Knowledge of current HR best practices
• Flexibility & adaptability
• Growth mindset
• Change management

Skills

• Nonprofit leadership
• People management
• Strategic planning
• Marketing, messaging, branding, & storytelling
• Process improvement and optimization
• Board relations
• Interpersonal communications
• Business rigor
• Communications & media relations
• Public speaking/delivering presentations
• Fundraising & donor relations
• Constructive problem solving
• Mission alignment
• Active listening
• Knowledge of current HR best practices
• Flexibility & adaptability
• Growth mindset
• Change management

Benefits

The Bellevue Botanic Garden Society offers generous benefits including:

• 100% employer healthcare, dental, and vision plans
• Employer paid life insurance
• A retirement contribution match
• Paid time off

Pay

This is a full-time salaried position requiring a willingness to work some evenings and weekends and occasional travel. The ED role is based in Bellevue, WA and requires regular presence in the office. The salary range is between $120,000 and $140,000, depending on qualifications and experience.

Schedule

The Bellevue Botanic Garden Society offers generous benefits including:

• 100% employer healthcare, dental, and vision plans
• Employer paid life insurance
• A retirement contribution match
• Paid time off