Director of Marketing

About Our Organization

Lauritzen Gardens, acclaimed as the Best Attraction in the 2025 Omaha Metropolitan Area Tourism Awards and voted #3 by USA Today among Top Botanical Gardens in the United States, is home to 100 acres of horticultural displays that showcase the diverse Nebraska landscape. Lauritzen Gardens is a non-profit organization that conducts conservation efforts across the Great Plains, promotes thoughtful, ecologically minded horticultural practices, creates educational and inspirational experiences, and offers a year-round schedule of tours, programs, and workshops that explore, explain, and celebrate the world of plants. Lauritzen Gardens is dedicated to upholding its exceptional standards and providing joyful experiences for its visitors.

Job Summary

The Director of Marketing creates and delivers long-term, sustainable value to the organization, raising public awareness of its mission and vision while driving revenue through admissions, membership, and philanthropic marketing and communications. The role is both strategic and operational and encompasses management of marketing, market development, and communication tools. Working with key leaders, this role is responsible for the successful creation and execution of all marketing strategies that reflect the garden's brand and compel our audience to action. This position is the brand champion of the garden.

Success in this position involves taking pride in working for this organization, committing to effective communication, being solution-focused, and embracing a culture of positive change. Lauritzen Gardens continuously works to build a culture where employees enthusiastically contribute their skills, wisdom, and ideas towards their team's performance and experience a sense of satisfaction in their essential role.

This is a full-time, minimum of 40 hours per week position. Regular work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. However, flexible hours are required to meet the organization's needs. Working evenings and holidays may be required. Flextime is a work schedule arrangement that may or may not be appropriate for this position. Occasional out-of-town travel may be necessary.

Job Duties

• Direct high-level marketing and communications strategy to achieve organizational goals.
• Oversee all marketing and communications budgets, implementing cost-saving measures, and leveraging partnerships.
• Create thought-leadership strategies and materials for executives.
• Lead the marketing team and external vendors to ensure brand and message consistency.
• Launch marketing campaigns to boost brand awareness and increase visitation.
• Pursue strategic partnerships with local and statewide organizations to support growth and awareness goals.
• Produce marketing content for all channels, including digital, print, video, and environmental media.
• Direct creative vision for marketing collateral across departments.
• Write, edit, and proof content for accuracy, brand, consistency, and appropriate voice.
• Demonstrate creative judgment, adapt to feedback, and offer proactive solutions within project constraints.
• Oversee content creation and maintenance for the website, marketing emails, and digital communications.
• Support and collaborate on marketing initiatives with show chairs for the Lauritzen Gardens Antique Show.
• Act as a spokesperson and media liaison for the organization.
• Draft and distribute press releases and news stories to media outlets.
• Manage paid and in-kind advertising and media partnerships.
• Coordinate production of TV and radio spots and design advertisements across all media.
• Build strong relationships with key media and sales contacts.
• Monitor media effectiveness and audience reach using analytics tools.
• Lead social media strategy and continually implement best practices.
• Collaborate with tourism partners to position the garden as a top travel destination.
• Organize outreach events and partnerships to expand the garden's audience.

Education, Experience, & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing or equivalent field and 7 years of relevant experience working in corporate/non-profit or environmental marketing and public relations.
• Supervisory and team management experience.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in relevant disciplines and regions.
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups, and municipalities.
• Demonstrated experience in graphic design, while management projects within tight time frames and at times with limited resources.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro), WordPress, Blackbaud Altru, and Microsoft Office.
• Must be able to work in a creative and collaborative environment and multitask, possess strong organizational skills, and prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Ability to effectively lead, coach, and develop employees.
• Solid knowledge of SEO, web analytics, media planning/buying, digital marketing, and market research tools.
• Ability to analyze problems and create solutions.
• Exceptional attention to detail and follow-through.
• Self-motivated individual who is comfortable speaking in front of diverse groups.
• High ethical conduct to ensure credibility and effectiveness with others.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. It routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. The position will also work outdoors in Nebraska's climate, conducting tours, media and marketing events, programming, etc.

What We Offer

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Long-term & short-term disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• 401 (k) with company match.
• Paid sick time.
• 8 Paid Holidays + 2 Paid Floating Holidays.
• Garden Membership.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Bereavement Leave.
• Opportunities for professional development.