Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Overview
Join to apply for the
Gardenshop Director
role at
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens . This is a year-round, full-time, benefits-eligible position. The Gardenshop supports the mission by offering a curated collection of ethically sourced, sustainably produced goods and by uplifting local makers, especially those most impacted by inequity. The Gardenshop Director identifies and pursues opportunities that advance the work of the Gardens and collaborates across departments and with mission-aligned vendors and partners. The Gardenshop Director will manage the team overseeing the onsite retail shop, webshop, and buying functions, including visual merchandising and collaboration with the Marketing team. They will help articulate messages from horticultural, educational, and plant science initiatives through retail product and develop relationships across the organization and with external partners. The role aims to enrich the guest experience while generating meaningful financial support for the Gardens and community. Responsibilities
In collaboration with the Buyer, curate and design a collection of merchandise that is profitable, supports educational messages from Gardens’ programming, and speaks to the Gardens experience. Lead visual merchandising of the shop, including seasonal displays and managing two distinct seasons and customer shopping experiences (the Gardens’ regular season, and Gardens Aglow). Leverage the shop\'s visibility to uplift makers from marginalized communities and those most impacted by inequity, forming partnerships based on community and trust, leading to shared and equitable profitability. Recruit, train, and mentor an exceptional management team of retail professionals to administer daily operations of retail and web shops and the flow of merchandise. Develop and support relationships with partner departments across the organization and collaborate to meet departmental and organizational goals. Work with Marketing and Communications to set promotional strategies, branding guides, and to articulate Gardenshop messages to guests and the broader public. Demonstrate strong financial planning and stewardship through department budgets, scaling the department and funding profit-generating projects as needed in multi-year arcs, and controlling cost-to-profit ratios in line with Gardens’ goals. Lead departmental management of key operating functions including inventory management, sales analysis, and margin strategies. Establish and maintain documented standard operating principles and procedures that are scalable and repeatable. Participate in Gardens-wide initiatives including Gardens Aglow assignments. Qualifications
At least five years of retail management experience with demonstrated operations and visual merchandising expertise. Proven leadership abilities with direct people management experience; experience in recruitment and team building. Excellent relationship-building skills with vendors, makers, and internal peers. Experience with product development and collaboration with designers. At least three years of retail buying experience or equivalent coursework/experience. At least three years of experience with managing business metrics and sales analysis. Strong understanding of brand as a tool for culture, decision-making, visitor recruitment, and profitability. Ability to learn new technology; working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word and Excel). Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite or similar design software for product development. Commitment to integrating Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility principles across the organization and visitor/community relationships. Physical Requirements
Active role on a large campus with time at a desk; may require up to eight hours of standing, walking, kneeling, squatting, bending, and reaching. Standard visual acuity and ability to operate a PC with or without accommodation. Application and Selection
Application review will begin October 3, 2025. Selected candidates will receive an initial virtual interview, and finalists will be invited for a follow-up in-person interview at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Join to apply for the
Gardenshop Director
role at
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens . This is a year-round, full-time, benefits-eligible position. The Gardenshop supports the mission by offering a curated collection of ethically sourced, sustainably produced goods and by uplifting local makers, especially those most impacted by inequity. The Gardenshop Director identifies and pursues opportunities that advance the work of the Gardens and collaborates across departments and with mission-aligned vendors and partners. The Gardenshop Director will manage the team overseeing the onsite retail shop, webshop, and buying functions, including visual merchandising and collaboration with the Marketing team. They will help articulate messages from horticultural, educational, and plant science initiatives through retail product and develop relationships across the organization and with external partners. The role aims to enrich the guest experience while generating meaningful financial support for the Gardens and community. Responsibilities
In collaboration with the Buyer, curate and design a collection of merchandise that is profitable, supports educational messages from Gardens’ programming, and speaks to the Gardens experience. Lead visual merchandising of the shop, including seasonal displays and managing two distinct seasons and customer shopping experiences (the Gardens’ regular season, and Gardens Aglow). Leverage the shop\'s visibility to uplift makers from marginalized communities and those most impacted by inequity, forming partnerships based on community and trust, leading to shared and equitable profitability. Recruit, train, and mentor an exceptional management team of retail professionals to administer daily operations of retail and web shops and the flow of merchandise. Develop and support relationships with partner departments across the organization and collaborate to meet departmental and organizational goals. Work with Marketing and Communications to set promotional strategies, branding guides, and to articulate Gardenshop messages to guests and the broader public. Demonstrate strong financial planning and stewardship through department budgets, scaling the department and funding profit-generating projects as needed in multi-year arcs, and controlling cost-to-profit ratios in line with Gardens’ goals. Lead departmental management of key operating functions including inventory management, sales analysis, and margin strategies. Establish and maintain documented standard operating principles and procedures that are scalable and repeatable. Participate in Gardens-wide initiatives including Gardens Aglow assignments. Qualifications
At least five years of retail management experience with demonstrated operations and visual merchandising expertise. Proven leadership abilities with direct people management experience; experience in recruitment and team building. Excellent relationship-building skills with vendors, makers, and internal peers. Experience with product development and collaboration with designers. At least three years of retail buying experience or equivalent coursework/experience. At least three years of experience with managing business metrics and sales analysis. Strong understanding of brand as a tool for culture, decision-making, visitor recruitment, and profitability. Ability to learn new technology; working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word and Excel). Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite or similar design software for product development. Commitment to integrating Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility principles across the organization and visitor/community relationships. Physical Requirements
Active role on a large campus with time at a desk; may require up to eight hours of standing, walking, kneeling, squatting, bending, and reaching. Standard visual acuity and ability to operate a PC with or without accommodation. Application and Selection
Application review will begin October 3, 2025. Selected candidates will receive an initial virtual interview, and finalists will be invited for a follow-up in-person interview at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.
#J-18808-Ljbffr