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Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park promotes the enjoyment, understanding, and appreciation of gardens, sculpture, the natural environment, and the arts. Meijer Gardens is ranked among the 100 most visited art institutions in the world. The organization embraces the concept of a major cultural attraction centering around horticulture & sculpture. Meijer Gardens' commitment is to create a legacy of lifelong learning, enjoyment, and a rich cultural experience for generations to come.
Department: Horticulture
Supervisor: Horticulture Manager
Pay Type: Full time, Hourly, Non-exempt
Compensation: The hourly rate for this position ranges from $28.00 to $33.00, depending on experience and qualifications.
Position Summary: The Lead Designer is responsible for organizing the creative direction, design, and implementation of floral and botanical displays throughout Meijer Gardens. This position collaborates on all aspects of floral and botanical design, as it relates to floral displays, seasonal exhibitions, event installations, and permanent garden enhancements. The Lead Designer collaborates with the horticulture team, supervises seasonal staff and volunteers, coordinates with external vendors, and ensures that all floral work and botanical design aligns with Meijer Gardens' mission and aesthetic standards. Additionally, this role involves research into emerging design trends, sustainability practices, and innovative display techniques to enhance visitor experience.
Essential Functions
- Develop and implement creative floral and botanical displays for exhibitions, special events, and permanent installations.
- Collaborate with staff to develop innovative exhibition elements and impactful displays.
- Lead and direct staff and volunteers in floral arrangement techniques, plant care, and display setup.
- Oversee the selection, procurement, and maintenance of flowers, foliage, and specialty plants, ensuring the highest quality materials.
- Collaborate with the horticulture team to ensure that floral and botanical designs complement the broader landscape aesthetic.
- Coordinate seasonal floral exhibitions, special event décor, and interior botanical displays, ensuring timely execution.
- Maintain detailed records of floral inventory, project timelines, and budget allocations.
- Conduct quality assessments of floral installations, ensuring design integrity and longevity.
- Ensure that floral and plant-based displays adhere to Meijer Gardens’ artistic vision and horticultural best practices.
- Train and coordinate volunteers for horticultural activities, ensuring effective use of skills and resources.
- Monitor plant health and implement Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies as needed.
- Work closely with other departments to support special events, and seasonal programs with floral and botanical elements.
- Lead public engagement initiatives, such as workshops, presentations, and guided tours.
- Assist with plant and floral care in greenhouse and storage spaces, ensuring materials are properly conditioned and maintained before use.
- Support seasonal horticulture needs, including snow removal and other departmental tasks as assigned.
- Flexibility in scheduling, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays for exhibition and event setups.
- Provide content and insights for marketing, communications, and social media regarding floral and design initiatives.
- Participate in relevant committees, offering expertise in floral design and display planning.
- Assist in developing sustainable and eco-friendly floral practices.
- Demonstrate flexibility, teamwork, and a commitment to excellence in floral and botanical design.
- Perform additional duties as assigned by the Horticulture Manager.
Education and / or Qualifications preferred:
- Education: Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Floral Design, Horticulture, Botany, Fine Arts, or a related field preferred.
- Experience: Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in floral design, event florals, or botanical displays, with a focus on large-scale installations.
- Skills/Knowledge/Licenses:
- Strong knowledge of floral composition, color theory, and botanical aesthetics.
- Proficiency in floral design techniques, including hand-tied bouquets, centerpiece arrangements, large-scale installations, and event florals.
- Experience with fresh, dried, and preserved floral materials, as well as non-traditional plant-based design elements.
- Understanding of plant care, hydration techniques, and floral preservation.
- Ability to lead teams and coordinate large-scale floral installations efficiently.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word) for inventory tracking and project planning.
- Familiarity with event planning and collaboration with vendors for floral needs.
- Must possess or be able to obtain a Michigan Pesticide Applicator License if required for plant care.
- Valid Michigan driver’s license with a clean driving record.
Organizational Expectations
- Embrace Meijer Gardens’ mission to promote the enjoyment, understanding and appreciation of gardens, sculpture, the natural environment, and the arts.
- Embrace the organization’s non-profit status and commitment to serving and treating the public with dignity and working with a broad and diverse group of employees, volunteers, members, and guests in a respectful and professional manner.
Working Conditions: Basic mobility is expected in offices, grounds, and exhibition areas. Ability to observe details at close range and communicate information accurately with others. Engage in occasional object manipulation with or without assistance, and efficiently navigate the workspace to access essential resources. Ability to regularly move up to 20 pounds, frequently up to 50 pounds, and occasionally move 100+ pounds (i.e., load, unload, and move supplies, medium to heavy weight tools, and equipment). Occasionally ascends/descends a ladder. Regularly operates in outdoor and challenging weather conditions, including exposure to temperatures exceeding 100°F and dropping below 0°F, rain, high humidity, snow, and direct sunlight. This encompasses both outdoor settings and greenhouse environments. May entail exposure to various workplace hazards such as hazardous materials, loud noise, and extreme heat/cold.
As part of our onboarding process, all new hires are required to complete our background check.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
We believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.
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