Director of Development (Full-Time/Exempt)

About this Opportunity

Queens Botanical Garden seeks an experienced and passionate leader to be our next Director of Development. The Director of Development is responsible for annually raising approximately $4.5M from public and private sources and helps secure additional funds to support critical capital projects spanning the Garden’s 39-acre campus. Working with the Executive Director, Board of Trustees, and key staff leaders, the Director of Development devises and executes fundraising strategies to advance the ambitious ideas articulated in the Strategic and Master Plans and annual operating budget. The Director of Development leads the Development and Marketing/ Comms team to success in meeting fundraising goals through institutional giving, individual giving, special events, and membership support. In addition to providing leadership and strategy, the Director is also an active front-line fundraiser who directly contributes to institutional and individual fundraising efforts, including grant writing, ongoing stewardship, and major gift solicitation. They are a passionate advocate for the Garden’s work to engage the public through inspiring gardens, innovative educational programs, and real-world applications of environmental stewardship. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced fundraising environment which demands exceptional written and oral communications skills and enthusiastically collaborate with other organizational leaders to generate and execute new programmatic and capital initiatives.

The Director of Development is part of the Senior Staff leadership team, reports to the Executive Director, and supervises the Institutional Giving Manager, Senior Manager for Communications and Marketing, and Development Assistant.

Key Responsibilities: 

Fundraising Leadership & Strategy

• Refresh and implement an ambitious fundraising plan designed to grow the organization’s annual operating budget, diversify funding streams, and grow unrestricted revenue and major gifts, including naming opportunities.
• Activate the Board of Trustees as ambassadors for fundraising through strategy sessions, committee work, and training, as needed, to develop a culture of philanthropy.
• Closely track fundraising projections and strategize with Senior Staff to accordingly expand or alter planned activities; generate fundraising reports for the Board of Trustees.
• Work with Executive Director and Senior Manager for Communications & Marketing to develop strategies for maximizing revenues.
• Collaborate with fundraising and marketing consultants and partners as needed.

Institutional Giving

• Strengthen relationships with existing institutional funders, including the City of New York, elected officials, and major foundation and corporate partners, with a focus on increasing support and securing multi-year commitments.
• Liaise with leaders in Education/Programs, Visitor Services, Horticulture, Marketing, and other departments to identify fundable projects in accordance with QBG’s new strategic plan; oversee ongoing work with Finance Department to ensure appropriate grant-tracking activities and accurate reporting.
• Take the lead on proposal development for major funders and new prospects; work with Institutional Giving Manager and Development Assistant to ensure accurate and compelling proposals and reports for all institutional donors.
• Lead the Garden’s Corporate Sponsorship and collaborate as needed on Membership programs; collaborate with Marketing, Visitor Services, Education/Programs, Operations, and other departments to implement sponsorship and activation benefits.

Individual Giving & Special Events

• Lead the Garden’s existing Individual Giving programs, including the Adopt-a-Bench, Adopt-A-Tree, and Adopt-A-Garden initiatives.
• Develop and execute compelling new individual giving campaigns using the Garden’s communications channels and cultivation events with the Executive Director.
• Establish relationships with current and potential major donors; create custom support and sponsorship packages based on donor interest.
• Strategize to grow Membership revenue with Membership Coordinator and key staff.
• Lead planning and execution of Rambling Rose Gala, the organization’s annual fundraising gala, including devising strategies for revenue growth, and work with the Board Development Committee to implement such strategies; lead ideation for new special events, as needed.

Marketing and Communications 

• Oversee the work of the Senior Communications and Marketing Manager who manages all comms and marketing.
• Work with Executive Director and Senior Communications and Marketing Manager to devise a marketing and comms plan aligned with 5-year strategic plan goals, and to develop strategies for maximizing revenues.
• Ensure completion of Annual Report, printed materials, and other assets with clear brand fidelity and messaging.

Development Operations

• Identify opportunities to streamline and strengthen development operations.
• Oversee Department expense budgets; approve purchases in accordance with budgets.
• Harness data from fundraising database (DonorPerfect) to develop moves management strategies for existing donors

Qualifications:

• At least seven (7) years of progressively increasing responsibility, experience, and success in fundraising for a non-profit organization, preferably at cultural, educational, and/or environmental institutions
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; Master’s degree and fundraising credentials preferred
• Supervisory experience required; passion for fostering collaboration and excellence while promoting professional development of staff
• Strong relationship manager; enthusiasm for collaborating with internal and external partners
• Familiarity with donor management software (DonorPerfect a plus); ease with using technology, including the Microsoft Office Suite
• Superb verbal and written communication skills
• Knowledge of the New York City fundraising landscape; enthusiasm for sustainability, environmental organizations and cultural institutions
• Creativity, marketing savvy, and business development acumen; awareness of fundraising and marketing trends
• Occasional evening and weekend work required for special and public events

Schedule & Benefits

This is a full-time, exempt position with weekly on-site work, and some flexibility to work remotely. Benefits offered include excellent medical, vision, dental and life insurance, generous PTO, paid holidays, employee discounts, access to the Museums Council pass, which grants free admission to various museums and cultural institutions, pension and other retirement savings plans. Schedule is generally Monday through Friday, with occasional evening and weekend work.

Salary Range: $110,000 – 120,000

For consideration, please submit your resume, cover letter, and any relevant documents via our Career Center.

If you encounter difficulties with uploading documents to the portal, please send via email to Human Resources at [email protected].

Communications and Marketing Coordinator (Part-Time/Regular)

About this Opportunity

The Communications and Marketing Coordinator will report to the Senior Communications and Marketing Manager and will assist with graphic design, content creation, social media management and, public outreach at the Garden. They will develop materials for print and digital use and engage in on and off-site outreach. This is an exciting opportunity to help expand public awareness of Queens Botanical Garden and its collections and programs.

Responsibilities: 

• Design and create digital and print materials, including sponsorship decks, brochures, flyers, and signage for the Garden, according to organizational brand guidelines
• Take and edit photographs of Garden events, horticulture, programs, and community
• Research, develop ideas, and contribute feedback to inform ongoing content development for digital media channels and print materials with Senior Communications and Marketing Manager
• Assist with tracking social media and content performance
• Contribute to community management on our social media channels — replying to DMs and comments, and conducting virtual outreach on other institutions pages.
• Complete administrative tasks such as updating email databases, journalist contact lists, recordkeeping, digital archiving, etc.
• Help devise self-guided interpretive materials and signage
• Serve as a public liaison and market QBG programs/events onsite and offsite throughout NYC
• Other tasks as needed

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, graphic design, visual arts, or related field
• At least two years of related professional experience
• Interest in and knowledge of ecology, horticulture, environmental sustainability, and/or arts/culture
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Bridge, etc.)
• Excellent writing, communication, organizational and “people” skills
• Ease with technology and aptitude in word processing, spreadsheets, and database programs, including Microsoft Office, CMS, and Constant Contact
• Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple projects at a time
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Availability to staff evening and weekend events when needed
• Bilingual skills in Spanish or Mandarin, a plus
• Photography and/or video skills, a plus

Schedule & Benefits

This is a part-time year-round position for up to 18 hours per week, with occasional required evenings and weekends. Benefits offered include free parking, employee discounts, and access to the Museums Council pass, which grants free admission to various museums and cultural institutions.

Compensation: $25/hour

For consideration, please submit your resume, cover letter, and any relevant documents via our Career Center.

If you encounter difficulties with uploading documents to the portal, please send via email to Human Resources at [email protected].

Garden Guides engage and help visitors enjoy Education and Public programs at the Garden.  Perfect for friendly people who have strong communication skills, interest in environmental sustainability, love to engage with nature, and excited to share their enthusiasm for the Garden with visitors.

Ideal Candidate

• Demonstrates an interest in nature, a willingness to grow and learn, and a friendly team attitude
• Enjoys working with the public
• Self-motivated with the ability to work both alone and in groups
• Willingness to work outdoors in various kinds of weather
• Some experience leading tours or public speaking is preferred

Volunteer Benefits

• Training program on how to be a Garden Guide
• QBG swag
• Experience an urban oasis in the heart of Queens
• Free admission and parking on any day you volunteer
• 10% discount on educational workshops and public programs
• 25% discount in the QBG gift shop

Schedule

• Volunteers must be able to commit to an entire season to be considered in spring and fall

For more information and to apply, visit: https://queensbotanical.org/gardenguide/

About this Opportunity

Work with our Horticulture team to do general gardening tasks such as weeding, mulching, tending, pruning, watering, and planting. Includes educating interested visitors about plants grown in the Garden. Must be committed to being present and punctual on work days.

Ideal Candidate

• Have general knowledge of basic gardening skills
• Willingness to learn plant identification
• Willingness to work outdoors in all weather
• Ability to bend, stand, kneel, or crouch for long periods of time
• Ability to lift 20 pounds, push a wheel barrow, and use basic hand tools such as a trowel, shovel, or rake

Volunteer Benefits

• Learn directly from renowned Horticulture Department
• Hands-on education and experience with a variety of plant-related activities
• Experience an urban oasis in the heart of Queens
• Free admission and parking on any day you volunteer
• 10% discount on educational workshops and public programs
• 25% discount in the QBG Store

Schedule

• Volunteers must be able to commit to an entire season to be considered
• Minimum commitment of 1 day per week in spring, summer or fall

To apply please sign up for a community volunteer day. You can also submit an inquiry to [email protected].