Vice President of Operations and Planning

The Morton Arboretum (the Arboretum), globally recognized for its century-long commitment to tree-focused science, conservation, and education, seeks a strategic and collaborative leader to serve as its inaugural Vice President of Operations and Planning (Vice President). It is an exciting moment for the Arboretum as the organization enters a period of significant growth and transformation. The Vice President will have an opportunity to reconceptualize and implement a comprehensive and multi-year site plan for the Arboretum’s 1,700 acres that will transform operations and create more accessible, inclusive, and functional spaces for visitors and researchers. 

The Arboretum plays an increasingly prominent leadership role as an organization that shares meaningful scientific research, leads conservation work, and envisions a world where people and trees thrive together. More than 400 employees advance the Arboretum’s mission and contribute to a culture of collaboration, curiosity, experimentation, and impact. For the last three years, the Arboretum has been named a “Top Workplace” by The Chicago Tribune.

The Vice President of Operations and Planning will join an engaged and experienced leadership team led by Jill Koski, the Arboretum’s president and CEO, and will work in conjunction with the Board of Trustees and the Buildings and Grounds Committee of the Board. The Vice President will provide strategic leadership for the core functions of facilities, information technology, sustainability, and site planning and design, and oversee risk management across the organization. The Arboretum’s leadership is eager to embrace a colleague with deep planning and operations expertise to leverage its many assets and current momentum to help chart the organization’s course for the next several decades. 

The Arboretum welcomes applications from exceptional leaders who understand the positive impact of protecting the environment and with experience in similarly complex institutions. 

The anticipated salary range for this position is $220,000-$230,000. 

All nominations, applications, and inquiries should be directed electronically and in confidence below.

Jeff Kessner is leading this search with Berlinda Mojica and Jenny Rubin. 

The Morton Arboretum is a champion for diversity, supporting a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Arboretum is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status. To increase diversity in professions related to the public garden realm, we encourage applications from underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans.

The Morton Arboretum is dedicated to complying with our obligations as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All applicants are guaranteed equal consideration for employment.