Director of Continuing Education at New York Botanical Garden
Job Title: Director of Continuing Education
Job Status: Full-time
Location: New York, NY
Salary: $105,000 – $125,000
Description
The Director of Continuing Education provides leadership, direction, supervision, mentoring, and administration for all aspects of the Garden’s Continuing Education Program, both in person and online.
Additionally, this position supports, through actions and conduct, NYBG’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility initiatives and helps to build and maintain an inclusive organization culture throughout the institution
SPECIFIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
• Instills clear direction and vision for Continuing Education programming, both for certificate programs (offered in person, online, and hybrid) and for new flexible online learning courses to be developed.
• Manages all aspects of the Continuing Education program across seven core disciplines, as well as workshops, symposia, lecture series, and other special programs, as needed.
• Recruits, trains, mentors, and supervises Continuing Education staff, exercising management excellence to guide team through key milestones for project development.
• Recruits and works with Certificate Program Coordinators to source and train instructors for both in-person and online programs.
• Works cross departmentally to coordinate long-range planning and goal setting, consistent with the Garden’s mission.
• Works with Digital Learning specialists and other NYBG stakeholders to envision and execute new flexible online learning courses to build audiences, revenue, and brand.
• Works with the Director of Operations and Student Success as well as other NYBG stakeholders to establish and administer best-practice policies and procedures for faculty and student development, including handbooks.
• Works with the Director of Operations and Student Success to prepare annual budgets and forecasts, track/report registration revenue, and oversee financial performance for all programs.
• Works with Marketing on the production and digital distribution of course catalogs and other strategies, such as the NYBG website, social media marketing, and other outreach efforts.
• Develops and coordinates complementary programming initiatives with other NYBG departments, especially Exhibitions, Horticulture, Public Education, and Community Affairs.
• Expands access and inclusion so that NYBG staff, students, instructors, and curriculum better reflect the world’s population and specifically the population of the city of New York.
• Analyzes registration and inquiry data for trends and new audience opportunities, both in person and online. Proposes and executes new programming to build audiences.
• Assures complete and accurate record keeping and financial accountability for all courses and programs, staying within approved budgets. Proposes efficiencies to increase margin.
• Administers courses awarded for credit with the New York State Education Department (NPONSI).
• For certificate programs in Horticulture and Landscape Design, keeps school records, programs, and procedures compliant with BPSS/New York State regulations and serves as the Director of the School for BPSS.
• Serves as NYBG liaison for professional societies that serve NYBG students.
• Interacts with education professionals and represents the Garden at professional functions, as needed.
• Establishes and meets milestones for all major projects.
• Embraces diplomacy and professionalism in all communications.
• Other tasks may be assigned to fulfill the role, as needed, and as the programs develop over time.
Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree preferred.
• Demonstrated background of management excellence in academic or museum education, with an emphasis on creative program development, revenue enhancement, online learning program development (both synchronous and asynchronous), and staff development.
• Demonstrated commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access in Education.
• Experience using online learning tools such as Canvas, Zoom, Kaltura, Accredible.
• Expertise with an LMS is required, experience with Canvas is preferred.
• Experience implementing electronic program evaluation tools (such as SurveyMonkey) and assessing KPIs.
• Strong communication skills: verbally, visually, and in writing.
• Demonstrated project management skills; PMP certification a plus.
• Creative thinker.
• Diplomatic and empathetic.
• Familiarity with botany, horticulture, landscape design, botanical illustration, or a related field preferred.
• Available weekends and evenings, as needed, for special events.