DIRECTOR, GRANOGUE chez Longwood Gardens

As one of the great gardens of the world Longwood Gardens is rooted in a steadfast mission of bringing joy and inspiration to everyone through the beauty of nature, conservation, and learning. Across our many departments, each and every staff member creates the magic that makes our Gardens distinctive. Our team of dynamic professionals is what sets us apart, and our spirit of legacy, innovation, and opportunity is what guides us. While beauty is our heart, our people are our soul. 

Longwood Gardens seeks an innovative, experienced, and growth-minded leader to serve as the inaugural Director of Longwood at Granogue, responsible for the daily management and strategic operations of the historic 505-acre Granogue estate located in the heart of the Brandywine Valley in New Castle County, DE that includes a 38,218 sq. ft. colonial revival home, barns, greenhouses and small community of tenant homes.

Granogue represents a unique opportunity to steward and shape an iconic landscape whose vision is at the intersection of regenerative agriculture, ecological restoration, cultural heritage, and guest-centered hospitality. As a key member of Longwood’s leadership team, the Director will play a critical role in bringing operational best practices and life to an ambitious and evolving vision for this extraordinary property.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead, manage and support a lean team to provide daily care and management of the 505-acre property and its facilities.
• Lead and support the implementation of regenerative agricultural practices, ecological management, and conservation strategies across the estate.
• Develop and manage budgets ensuring responsible resource allocation and accountability.
• Manage partnerships including the annual farm lease.
• Support fundraising activities.
• Support the development of public programming and hospitality experiences that reflect the history, character, and environmental richness of Granogue.
• Support and help inform the strategic vision for Longwood at Granogue.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to support sustainable land use, biodiversity, education, and community engagement.
• Build and leverage Longwood’s multidisciplinary experts and teams to support operations, land stewardship, guest services, security, and future development.
• Ensure compliance with relevant safety, regulatory, and organizational policies.
• Serve as an ambassador for Longwood at Granogue, cultivating relationships with neighbors, local, regional, and national partners, as well as the broader Brandywine Valley community.

We are looking for a forward-thinking leader eager to make a lasting impact The ideal candidate will possess:

• Leadership experience in a public garden, land management, regenerative agriculture, conservation, or destination/hospitality operations.
• Entrepreneurial and start-up mindset.
• Demonstrated ability to work within a lean environment that requires multitasking and hands-on work while leading with success.
• Experience in working within complex organizations or systems and interdisciplinary teams.
• Deep commitment to sustainability, ecological health, and cultural preservation.
• Manage staff and volunteers through clear goal setting, on-going coaching and professional development practices.
• Fostering a positive and collaborative work environment that cultivates respect for one another, belonging, and a team-based approach that strives for excellence in all that they do.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences and stakeholders.
• Passion for connecting people to place through meaningful experiences rooted in landscape, history, and ecology.

Longwood Gardens is committed to nurturing a diverse and inclusive environment that celebrates the complexities and differences of all living things. We welcome and respect diverse backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives. Diversity creates a more beautiful world, sparks innovation, and unites us.