Missouri Botanical Garden
Req #581
Summary:
This position reports to the Senior Vice President Science and Conservation and is and is responsible for leading the definition, development, and implementation of the Garden’s scientific, conservation, and restoration strategy among the applicable programs in in support of Plant Systematics. Ensures that initiatives function proactively to support and achieve departmental and division-related objectives in support of the Garden’s mission. Leads, develops and motivates an effective team. Helps to promote the Garden’s role in science and conservation to internal and external audiences, and is instrumental in securing ongoing funding. The Director should be an established researcher in the field of plant systematics as well as a demonstrated leader and manager with excellent administrative credentials.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- In collaboration with the Senior Vice President Science and Conservation, leads the strategic development, delivery, and assessment of goals and objectives of plant systematics and taxonomy to address ongoing global challenges such as biodiversity loss or climate change in line with the 4 strategic science and conservation pillars Exploration, Conservation, Restoration & Capacity Building.
- Develops a sustainable operating budget, aligned with available resources.
- Provides leadership to, and directly manages, coaches, and develops, the program’s team of professionals.
- Initiates, cultivates, and sustains partnerships that enable long-term, mutually beneficial relationships between the program and other entities, including within the Garden as well as universities, botanical research institutions, other scientific organizations, and the private sector.
- Carries out and coordinates efforts to identify funding sources and prepares and submits proposals to raise funds to support initiatives within the Department and the Division, including for the Director’s independent research program.
- Identifies and facilitates opportunities for new initiatives and projects for the Department in line with the overall strategy of the Division.
- Initiates, conducts, and publishes significant independent research that involve students, staff, and external collaborators and prepares results for publication in books, peer reviewed journals, and other appropriate media.
- Writes, reviews, and facilitates grant proposals, institutional reports, and publicity materials.
- Maintains an active research profile in systematics, preferably focusing on geographic and/or taxonomic areas of strength at the Garden.
- Oversees the Garden’s contributions and collaborations for the World Flora Online.
- Works closely with the Director of the Herbarium to set growth and curation priorities for the Garden’s collections.
- Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork and cooperation, within the Division and throughout the Garden, with co-workers, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and employees.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervises Scientists, Senior Scientists, and other staff as assigned in the Department.
Competencies:
- Communication – Listens to others and asks questions for clarification; Writes clearly and presents information accurately; Speaks professionally and responds well to questions; Supports positive visitor relations.
- Collaboration – Demonstrates teamwork and promotes respect in the workplace; Engages in problem solving and group initiatives; Cooperates in implementing procedures and process improvements; Strives for positive visitor experiences.
- Accountability – Demonstrates commitment to responsibilities and adaptable to changes; Effectively prioritizes, troubleshoots and takes appropriate actions; Follows policies and procedures, meets deadlines, quality, and safety standards; Strives to proactively, address visitor and internal colleagues’ concerns.
- Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems; Includes supervisor before taking action as necessary; Recommends solutions, demonstrates creativity and resourcefulness; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment in decision making process; Includes appropriate people in making decisions.
- Stewardship – Promotes and adheres to sustainability, safety and security protocols; Fosters a culture of respect, diversity and inclusion; Demonstrates effective and prudent use of Garden resources; Maximizes contributions during work hours.
- Leadership: Leadership competency incorporates a cluster of knowledge, skills and abilities required for management of people, budgets and assigned business functions/operations
Qualifications/Experience:
- Documented scientific record with a minimum of ten+ years’ experience and publication record.
- Minimum ten (10+) years relevant and increasingly responsible experience with a record of successful career growth leading to significant management responsibilities, leadership experience, and a proven track record in strategic business planning, preferably in a non-profit, research or learning organization.
- Demonstrated success in securing external funding, including competitive government grants. Experience in negotiating and managing project budgets.
- Budget development and management skills; advanced understanding of financial operating budget process.
- Seven to ten or more (7-10+) years’ experience in staff management, including conflict resolution and other related management experience.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively at all levels; must feel comfortable interacting and working with other departments and external collaborators.
- Strong presentation and public speaking skills.
- Demonstrates highest level of professional and ethical conduct, knowledge and understanding of organizational policies, procedures and systems, maintains confidentiality.
- Must be able to manage multiple priorities, work under pressure, demonstrate and instill in staff members a high degree of professionalism, integrity, loyalty, and service to the organization.
- Scheduling flexibility is required to work evenings, weekends, and/or holidays as needed.
- Ability to travel frequently (local, domestic, and international).
- Demonstrated record of research excellence, with a worldwide network of collaborators.
- Experience in administration, including personnel management and budgeting.
- Experience setting up and running a successful research lab.
- Evidence of ability to manage multiple large-scale projects simultaneously.
- Familiarity with current practice and trends in systematics research.
- Established record of interdisciplinary collaboration, preferable with conservation and/or restoration ecology.
- Experience in strategic planning for a research organization is highly desirable.
- The Garden is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our employees, volunteers, and guests. All staff are strongly encouraged to receive COVID-19 vaccinations by hire date, and the Garden reserves the right to require future proof of current vaccination status, based on community health department guidelines. When international travel is necessary for Garden business, staff must be able to obtain visas, vaccinations, and immunizations as required for all countries where travel is necessary.
- The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.
Education:
- Ph.D. in Botany, Biology, or related field required.
- Prior experience working in non-profit environment helpful.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Details and to apply:
https://us63.dayforcehcm.com/CandidatePortal/en-US/MBG/Posting/View/1384