Director of Education
About the PositionThe Director of Education at Mt. Cuba Center is a critical leadership role responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating educational initiatives that drive both mission impact and earned revenue.. This position requires a visionary leader who can elevate Mt. Cuba's adult educational offering, significantly grow program participation and revenue, and build sustainable financial models that support long-term organizational growth.Leading and inspiring a team of education professionals, the Director will oversee curriculum development, program evaluation, staff management, budget administration, and revenue-generating educational partnerships. The ideal candidate will be a business leader with a proven track record in adult education program development, demonstrated success in revenue growth, and expertise in scaling educational enterprises. Working collaboratively with the senior leadership team, this role will be instrumental in articulating and achieving Mt. Cuba's strategic education objectives, with a particular focus on enhancing mission-impact through high-quality educational experiences that inspire an appreciation for native plants and ecological gardening.In 2025, Mt. Cuba's next Director of Education will oversee the strategic refinement of Mt. Cuba Center's adult education offerings to assess and expand programming, increase enrollment, and reach diverse audiences ranging from backyard gardeners to horticulture and landscape design professionals. Successful enrollment and earned income cultivation will build a case for the development of a new education campus that is articulated in the organization's master plan. Educational programs for children and other audiences may be developed in time.Essential Functions of the RoleThe following outlines key responsibilities of the role, though not exhaustive.Strategic Leadership and Education Program Development
- Lead the creation, implementation, and evaluation of a comprehensive educational strategy that advances mission impact while generating substantial earned income
- Develop and execute strategies to grow program participation by 40-60% annually and increase revenue streams through innovative programming
- Create and implement pricing strategies and revenue models that balance accessibility with financial sustainability
- Develop innovative educational programs focused on native plants, ecological gardening, and sustainable horticulture for diverse audience engagement through data-driven programming that creates a willingness to pay a premium for premium content
- Establish program metrics focused on both educational impact and financial performance (enrollment, retention, revenue per participant, customer lifetime value)
- Create and implement strategies to grow program participation and revenue while maintaining educational integrity
- Collaborate with research and horticulture departments to translate scientific knowledge into accessible and marketable educational content
- Develop and manage a divisional operating budget of $300k+, ensuring fiscal responsibility and revenue targets
- Conduct market analyses and implement dynamic pricing strategies based on competitor research, cost recovery, and revenue optimization
- Monitor financial performance against ambitious growth targets and implement adjustments to maximize profitability
- Partner with Finance to develop multi-year forecasts and ROI analyses for educational initiatives
- Identify and pursue appropriate grant opportunities, sponsorships, and philanthropic support for educational initiatives
- Develop/pilot and evaluate earned income strategies and variable pricing models to both optimize revenue generation and support long-term financial sustainability
- Recruit, lead, and develop a high-performing education team capable of delivering both educational excellence and business results
- Establish performance expectations that balance educational quality with revenue generation accountability
- Lead professional development initiatives for education staff to enhance teaching skills, content expertise, and business acumen
- Foster an entrepreneurial, results-driven culture that values innovation and financial sustainability
- Foster an inclusive workplace culture that values diverse perspectives and experiences
- Serve as a strategic partner with other departments to integrate revenue-generating educational components into broader institutional initiatives Partner with Marketing and Experience teams to maximize visitor spending and program cross-selling opportunities
- Represent the organization in professional networks, conferences, and external partnerships related to environmental education to drive strategic alignment, revenue and visibility
- Work with Philanthropy to align educational programming with funding opportunities while maintaining strategic and mission focus
- Master's degree in Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Science, Education, Business Administration or a related field
- Minimum of 5-10 years' experience in educational program development and management, with at least 3 years in a leadership role
- Demonstrated track record of growing education programs by 25%+ annually and achieving substantial revenue increases
- Proven experience managing budgets of $300K+ and achieving aggressive financial targets
- Experience in fee-for-service adult education, professional development, or continuing education markets
- Experience in botanical gardens, environmental education, or related outdoor education settings
- Background in horticulture science, ecological gardening principles, or landscape design
- Track record of digital education platform development and online course monetization
- Experience with customer relationship management (CRM) systems and education technology platforms
- Advanced budget management and financial analysis with experience in revenue optimization and pricing strategy development
- Deep understanding of adult learning principles and experience creating scalable, revenue-generating educational content and delivery models
- Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to inspire teams toward both mission and financial goals
- Superior communication and public speaking abilities with experience in professional development and continuing education markets
- Proficiency with educational technology platforms, CRM systems, learning management systems, and business analytics tools
- Strong market research and competitive analysis capabilities with data-driven decision-making experience
- Salary between $110,000 and $115,000 per year
- This is a full-time exempt position with a 37.5-hour work week
- We allow 1 remote work day per week based on a standard schedule
- Competitive benefits package including:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) plan with up to 8% employer contribution
- Generous paid time off and leave policies
- Free garden admission
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Professional development opportunities
- Resume
- Cover letter (required)
- Response to an application questionnaire
- Virtual screening interview
- Two-part virtual interview, first with peers & direct reports, second with Mt. Cuba's Executive Director
- Prepare a take-home work assignment that will be presented in the final interview
- Final in-person interview with the Executive Director and Leadership Team
- Application review begins the week of June 23rd
- Mt. Cuba is targeting a start date for the final candidate in mid to Late August 2025
- All candidates will receive a status update via email after their application has been reviewed