Senior-Lead, Horticulture

Horticulture

The Senior Lead, Horticulture provides advanced horticultural guidance, operational leadership, and day-to-day coordination that directly supports the quality, presentation, sustainability, and guest experience of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. This role serves as a technical resource and mentor for staff, seasonal employees, volunteers, and interns while helping translate horticultural strategy into exceptional daily execution.

Garden Standards

• Support and reinforce horticultural standards across assigned garden areas, seasonal displays, and plant collections.
• Apply advanced horticultural knowledge to plant selection, placement, maintenance, and long-term garden development.
• Evaluate garden quality, safety, seasonal interest, and guest presentation standards.

Team Guidance, Mentorship & Collaboration

• Provide day-to-day leadership, technical guidance, and coordination to staff, seasonal employees, volunteers, and interns.
• Foster a collaborative, learning-oriented team culture focused on accountability and continuous improvement.
• Support training, coaching, skill development, and horticultural best practices across the department.

Garden Stewardship & Technical Execution

• Perform and guide advanced horticultural care including planting, pruning, irrigation, fertilization, integrated pest management, and seasonal maintenance.
• Monitor plant health, irrigation concerns, safety issues, and overall garden conditions.
• Support installation, refinement, and maintenance of horticultural displays and seasonal transitions.

Project Coordination & Operational Support

• Coordinate seasonal projects, garden improvements, exhibition support, and maintenance priorities from planning through completion.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, contractors, and horticulture leadership on operational initiatives.
• Support safe, organized, and efficient operations through equipment maintenance, resource stewardship, and workflow coordination.

Guest Experience, Interpretation & Public Representation

• Help communicate the purpose, care, and significance of horticultural work to guests, volunteers, and community partners.
• Support presentations, tours, interviews, and interpretive experiences when appropriate.
• Contribute to a welcoming, professional, and guest-focused environment across the organization.