Horticulture Manager

Harry P. Leu Gardens
Orlando

Preserve. Cultivate. Inspire. 
Harry P. Leu Gardens is seeking a passionate and experienced Horticulture Manager to lead the care, development, and strategic direction of the Gardens living collections, cultivated landscapes, and overall garden maintenance. This role requires strong leadership, horticultural expertise, the ability to manage a skilled team, develop and implement public horticulture plans, and contribute to the Garden’s long-term strategic vision.

The Horticulture Manager will collaborate with other departments on projects, oversee budgets, and ensure the highest horticultural and aesthetic standards are achieved and sustained. This position is ideal for a hands-on horticultural leader who blends deep plant knowledge with strong team management, ecological stewardship, and a commitment to public garden excellence.

About the Gardens
Since 1961, Harry P. Leu Gardens has inspired a love of nature, history, and public horticulture. Once the private estate of Harry P. and Mary Jane Leu - renowned plant collectors - the 50-acre property was gifted to the City of Orlando and is now a vibrant public garden. Welcoming almost 300,000 visitors annually, Leu Gardens features 30 plant collections, educational programs, seasonal events, and the Historic Leu House Museum, an 1888 home listed on the National Register of Historic Places. With extensive display gardens and a 22,000 sq. ft. Welcome Center, it is one of Central Florida’s premier destinations for horticultural learning, weddings, and special events.

Position
The Horticulture Manager is the senior leader responsible for the strategic vision, stewardship, and daily management of Harry P. Leu Gardens 50-acre living collections and landscapes. Leading a team of 16 staff and numerous volunteers, this role ensures excellence in plant collections, displays, operations, and public garden design. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Horticulture Manager combines hands-on leadership with strategic planning, staff development, and cross-departmental collaboration to fulfill the Gardens mission, while fostering a healthy, collaborative, and forward-thinking workplace culture.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Cross-Departmental Collaboration

  • Participate in master planning, strategic planning, budget planning, guest-focused experiences, and capital improvement projects as a core member of the senior leadership team.
  • Establish and oversee best practices in plant collections management, daily maintenance, and landscape preservation.

Horticulture Expertise

  • Develop and implement a Horticulture Management Plan aligned with institutional goals. 
  • Ensure an excellent aesthetic, display, and design intent of the Gardens. 
  • Ensure proper care, documentation, health, and vitality of plant collections.
  • Oversee plant cultivation, IPM, nursery/greenhouse operations, and seasonal displays and exhibitions. 
  • Manage tree canopy, turf, soil health, and irrigation systems. 
  • Direct safe use of equipment, chemicals, pesticides, and fertilizers.

Staff & Operational Oversight

  • Lead daily horticultural operations, including grounds maintenance, planting, turf care, IPM, sourcing, and nursery production.
  • Supervise, mentor, and support the horticulture staff, interns, and volunteers; oversee scheduling, training, safety, and performance.
  • Manage contractors, vendors, and horticultural material certifications to ensure staff and public safety. 
  • Collaborate with conservation organizations, public gardens, and researchers to support plant health, knowledge, and conservation initiatives.
  • Prepare and manage departmental budgets, capital requests, procurement, and equipment maintenance.
  • Create and maintain records and files of grounds and horticulture related activities, policies, and procedures.

Qualifications

  • Proven experience managing large teams, budgets, and complex landscapes in a public-facing setting.
  • Extensive knowledge of and passion for public horticulture, plant science, ornamental and native species, landscape design, irrigation systems, and sustainable horticulture practices.
  • Strong leadership with a collaborative, team-focused approach that fosters a positive work culture.
  • Excellent organizational, communication, planning, and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to design and implement horticultural projects, apply public garden best practices, and engage diverse audiences.
  • Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions, with ability to lift 50 lbs., climb ladders, and operate equipment.
  • Professional, service-oriented approach to guest and staff interactions; effective cross-departmental collaborator.
  • Proficiency in plant records systems (e.g., BG-BASE, IrisBG), GIS/mapping tools, and Microsoft Office Suite.

Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree required in horticultural, plant science, botany, garden management, or related field with 3 years of experience in a similar role with progressive supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.  Possess valid pesticide certification or acquires one at the next available testing date. Valid DL.

Starting Compensation & Schedule
$58,136.00 - $74,152.00 Annually
Full-time, salaried + benefits from the City of Orlando
Monday – Friday, with availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays for special events, storm response or seasonal demands