Seattle Botanic Gardens - President & CEO

Comprehensive Position Profile

Reports to : Board of Directors

Total staff : ~50

Annual operating budget : ~$9m for FY 2026

Seattle Botanic Gardens (SBG) is conducting a nationwide search for its inaugural President & CEO to guide the integration of two closely aligned organizations, the University of Washington Botanic Garden (UWBG) and The Arboretum Foundation, into a single entity positioned to take full advantage of their extraordinary, shared resources. For the past 90 years, the Arboretum Foundation has stewarded the Washington Park Arboretum, both as a freely accessible public park and as one of the finest collections of woody plants in the world.

For the past 50 years, the UWBG has managed that collection, conducted extensive botanical and environmental research, and provided myriad educational opportunities for toddlers, schoolchildren, and adults. Together, we will be a single institution of national significance; capable of nimbly furthering our mission and efficiently executing ambitious capital projects. Our new leader will need to be an inspirational builder, though the foundations are already firmly in place.

The Seattle Botanic Gardens welcomes more than 600,000 visitors each year from across the region and around the world. Our sites include :

The 230-acre Washington Park Arboretum whose collections include more than 40,000 plants from 107 countries

The Center for Urban Horticulture with gardens, research facilities, and the Rare Care plant conservation program and seed vault.

The 74-acre Union Bay Natural Area - the second largest natural system left on Lake Washington, and considered one of the best bird‑watching sites in the city of Seattle.

The Seattle Japanese Garden, a 3.5-acre traditional stroll garden

A future 28-acre Montlake Peninsula site (coming in ~2031)

The Arboretum Foundation and UW Botanic Gardens (UWBG) are joining forces to create one unified organization. This combination brings together :

Public park spaces loved by local, regional, national, and international visitors

World‑class plant collections used for research and conservation

Educational programs that connect thousands of people with nature each year

Gardens that serve as outdoor classrooms and peaceful gathering places

The new organization will manage public use and access, plant care, science education, and community programs across multiple sites. Once brought together as SBG, the new organization will have more resources, stronger programs, and greater impact than either organization could achieve alone.

A major opportunity ahead is developing the Montlake Peninsula comprised of 28 acres that will return to the Arboretum in 2031. This once‑in‑a‑generation project will require raising $100‑$150 million and creating a new vision for how we welcome visitors and serve our community.

Leadership Profile

If you're excited about this opportunity but don't check every qualification listed or your experience isn’t a perfect match, we still want to hear from you and we encourage you to apply anyway.

Are you a leader who inspires others and brings people together? Seattle Botanic Gardens is looking for an The President & CEO / CEO who combines vision with empathy, strategic thinking with relationship building, and fundraising skills with genuine care for staff.

Candidates will be evaluated on their full range of experience—professional background, volunteer work, lived experience, and both direct and transferable skills.

You can find a full list of qualifications and experience on page 5 of the profile at this link.

Total Compensation & Benefits

The annual salary range for this position is $250,000 - $290,000, depending on experience.

Seattle Botanic Gardens is committed to supporting all employees through competitive salaries and benefits, professional development opportunities, and a commitment to equity and inclusion.

The benefits package includes :

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plan with employer contribution

Generous paid time off

Professional development support

To Be Considered

The position is open until filled, with a priority deadline of January 9, 2025. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Please submit :

A cover letter (two pages or less) addressed to the President & CEO Search Committee

Your resume

Please focus your cover letter on these questions :

Why are you interested in this role?

How does your experience align with our mission and values?

What would you bring to this moment in our organization's history?

You may direct questions to Ed Rogan (ed@valtasgroup.com) or Chris Cannon (chris@valtasgroup.com)

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