Job Opportunity with Friends of the Kinney Faella Gardens: Executive Director

​

The Friends of the Kinney Faella Gardens, Rhode Island’s only publicly accessible azalea garden, funds and manages the restoration and public enjoyment of this “botanical haven” in South Kingstown. A labor of love by the devoted owners of the garden since 1956, it has rejuvenated and inspired tens of thousands of people over the years, free of charge. The Friends of the Kinney Faella Gardens carry on this legacy to bring joy to even more people for years to come.

If you are energetic, enjoy being with people, love building new organizations, and love nature and the outdoors, the Friends want to meet you! The Friends are hiring their first Executive Director to lead, organize, and build up this new non-profit. You will get to develop and create programs, raise funds, share your successes, and lead a team of horticulturalists and gardeners restoring this treasure. Every day will be different, and you will always have new and interesting projects to put your energies and talents into.

​

This is a chance to make a significant difference in the future of a beloved, nearly 60-year-old institution. You will be able to create change and impact the future of something that is treasured by many. The new executive director of Friends of the Kinney Faella Gardens will have demonstrated how to build up new or small organizations, especially through popular programs, community partnerships, and fundraising. You do not need to be a hands-on gardener, but you will be great at coordinating, leading, and managing people who are.

​

About Friends of the Kinney Faella Gardens:

Friends of the Kinney Faella Gardens is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2022 to help educate the public to value the environment, honor nature, and appreciate beauty through a garden setting. It supports the Kinney Azalea Gardens, develops new gardens on our existing property, and helps keep the gardens open to the public for years to come. The Gardens are in Kingston, Rhode Island, very close to the University of Rhode Island campus.

​

Job Responsibilities:

The executive director for Friends of the Kinney Faella Gardens will be responsible for the following.

Fundraising- Identify and secure grants and individual gifts to grow the organization’s ability to enhance and share the Kinney Azalea Garden, free of charge, for everyone to enjoy.

Team management- Manage a small team of contractors and specialists working to maintain and improve the Garden.
Communications- Share the story of the garden and the Friends with residents and visitors using online and traditional media approaches.

​

Community Outreach- Develop positive relationships with local volunteers, potential board members, and partners of all kinds.
Program Coordination- Conceive of and host popular public programs and lead oversight of private events.

Networking and professional development- Stay connected to other gardens, horticulture, and non-profit professionals and leaders, sharing and learning best practices for gardens and small non-profits.

This is a hybrid position, with many hours and projects that you can manage and complete remotely. But as the Garden’s face and ambassador you will need to be frequently on the premises during the busy months. The peak season at the garden is late April through August, annually.

​

​Qualifications:

The executive director should have experience building and running successful small non-profits or programs within larger non-profits. That experience should include developing several sources of private and/or public funding, hosting popular programs, and building community support in the form of volunteers, board members, and partnerships.

The executive director should have received a bachelor’s degree. Compensation:

The position is currently a contract position paying $55,000-$65,000/yr, depending on qualifications, and is expected to work 32-hours/week. The board of the Friends hope the position will quickly grow to a full-time non-contract position, based on programming and fundraising growth. The work is seasonal and the Friends expect the executive director’s time commitment will fluctuate with the seasons.

​

How to Apply:
Submit your cover letter and resume to Helen@KFGFriends.org.  It will be forwarded to our search committee.