Posted 4/17/26
Sarah P. Duke Gardens is a 55-acre botanic garden in the heart of Duke University that inspires transformative learning, promotes wellness, and builds community. It is considered one of the premier public gardens in the United States and consistently ranked as the most visited attraction in Durham, N.C. Duke Gardens is open 365 days per year and welcomes more than 650,000 visitors annually without an admission fee.
To learn more about Duke Gardens, please click here.
Sarah P. Duke Gardens seeks a collaborative and visionary leader who excels at building meaningful relationships and who embraces the possibilities and responsibilities inherent in leading a high-profile public garden within a university environment. With the Gardens serving simultaneously as a central hub of university life, a community resource accessible to all Triangle residents, and a major tourist destination for visitors to North Carolina, the Executive Director will develop the resources and relationships necessary to position the institution for long-term sustainability and to lead it into its next exciting stage.
The ideal candidate will be an experienced leader of gardens, arboreta, or other public spaces with a genuine passion for horticulture, conservation, and environmental sustainability. They will be a strategic leader who can articulate a compelling long-term vision for the Gardens, generate broad investment in that vision, and secure the necessary resources to ensure its successful implementation.
Sarah P. Duke Gardens offers a competitive salary and benefits package. If you want to lead this dynamic institution, please confidentially submit a current resume and cover letter to Kittleman & Associates. The cover letter is an opportunity to showcase your passion for Duke Gardens’ mission and demonstrate your organizational impact in current or prior roles.
For best consideration, please submit a letter of introduction and current resume to Kittleman & Associates, LLC by May 22, 2026.
Sarah P. Duke Gardens - Executive Director Position Guide
Skills Required
- Proven leadership experience directing gardens, arboreta, or other public spaces
- Genuine passion for horticulture, conservation, and environmental sustainability
- Strategic leadership with ability to articulate and implement a long-term vision
- Track record of fundraising, resource development, and securing major gifts or funding
- Ability to build meaningful relationships across university, community, donors, and stakeholders
- Experience operating within a university environment or leading a high-profile public institution
What We Do
Kittleman & Associates is an executive search firm dedicated exclusively to nonprofit leadership. It helps nonprofit organizations identify and recruit CEOs and executive directors, combining customized search processes, analytics, sector expertise, and hands-on guidance from consultants with nonprofit leadership or board experience. The firm also advises clients on leadership transitions and succession, supporting organizations across a broad range of nonprofit sectors.
