Yale University

Indoor Collections Manager

Yale University$65K — $101K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of hands-on horticultural and curatorial experience.
  • Advanced degree in botany or public horticulture preferred.
  • Experience with plant databases like BG-BASE and ArcGIS.
  • Ability to manage indoor plant collections and engage in public outreach.
  • Demonstrated capability in developing educational programming.

Responsibilities

  • Develop a strategic vision for managing tropical and desert plant collections.
  • Curate collections including propagation, acquisition, and routine care.
  • Design and install educational plant displays for programs and tours.
  • Support faculty and students with instructional materials and lab specimens.
  • Oversee administrative tasks related to greenhouse operations.

Benefits

  • Opportunity for professional development and involvement in conservation initiatives.
  • Hands-on experience managing a diverse range of plant collections.
  • Collaboration with faculty and other institutions for educational programs.
Full Job Description

Position Focus

Under the supervision of the Associate Director of Student and Public Engagement, the Indoor Collections Manager develops and implements a strategic vision to advance the Marsh Botanical Garden’s tropical and desert plant collections for teaching, research, conservation, and public engagement. With more than 1,100 living accessions under management, the position combines hands-on horticultural and curatorial responsibilities with administrative oversight, collections documentation, educational collaboration, and public engagement.

1. Collections Management & Curation. Strategically curates and maintains tropical, desert, and other indoor collections, including propagation, acquisition, recordkeeping, labeling, and routine care. Updates accession databases to reflect acquisitions and deaccessions; integrates MBG collections with Yale’s Lux portal. Monitors greenhouse environments and automated systems. Implements conservation strategies. Responds to emergencies affecting collections, such as equipment failures or extreme weather.

2. Exhibit & Display Preparation. Designs and installs plant displays for laboratory teaching, public programs, and tours. Prepares interpretive materials and coordinates exhibit logistics with University faculty and staff from the Yale Peabody Museum and other museums and departments.

3. Educational Program Support. Develops instructional materials and supports undergraduate and graduate courses. Sources and curates specimens for lab use and teaching demonstrations. Collaborates with faculty to align plant propagation, selection, and labeling with course-specific curricula. Leads tours and educational sessions for students and visitors.

4. Public & Scholarly Engagement. Supports faculty, students, and researchers requiring access to indoor collections. Mentors interns, employees, and seasonal staff. Supports outreach and interpretive programs.

5. Administrative & Operational Support. Manages procurement for greenhouse operations and maintains administrative records. Coordinates facility needs with Yale Facilities.

6. Strategic & Professional Development. Contributes to planning, conservation initiatives, and professional activities. Represents the Garden in the regional professional horticulture field and in relevant professional organizations and societies.

Some weekend and holiday work is required for emergency response and greenhouse operations.

Skills & Abilities

1.Strong taxonomic, horticultural, and recordkeeping skills.

2.Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

3.Self-directed with the ability to take initiative and anticipate actions needed; ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment, ability to solve problems, and to be a team player.

3.Demonstrated ability to establish priorities and follow through on multiple projects simultaneously while paying close attention to detail and adhering to

Preferred Education and Experience

1.Advanced degree in botany or public horticulture.

2.Botanical garden or conservatory greenhouse experience.

3.Experience with BG-BASE or similar plant databases; experience with ArcGIS.

4.Experience with educational programming.

5. should have, or be willing to acquire, CT Pesticide Applicator License and CT Driver’s License.

Physical Requirements

Ability to lift 40 lbs and work on ladders.

Principal Responsibilities

1. In support of the overall mission, plans, directs, and oversees programmatic activities. Assumes primary accountability for disseminating and publishing all program information to create public awareness and support of the program.  2. Works closely with leadership, internal and external colleagues, and community residents to further develop and implement strategic plans.  3. Oversees the development of detailed plans and successful implementation of projects in concert with stakeholders. 4. Works closely with business analysts, technical professionals, end users, and project stakeholders during the requirements, solutions design, and implementation phases to develop detailed project plans for implementation.  5. Oversees and trains all student employees and summer program staff. 6. Develops the administrative infrastructure of the program that supports the strategic direction of the program from leadership. Oversees human resource and administrative functions of the program. 8. Investigates, identifies, implements, and oversees the maintenance of systems to gather, track and report information to support the initiatives of the program. Tracks all program activities and regularly informs leadership of progress on each initiative. Recommends structural or programmatic adjustments, changes or additions based on full knowledge of missions, goals and objectives. 9. Works on risk assessment, communication planning, and program entry criteria.  10. Create detailed project plans, including timelines, budgets, and resource allocation, to ensure the successful completion of the project. 11. Manages client expectations and provides issue/risk identification and escalation pathways. 12. Analyzes user needs and proposes new training programs or systems. 13. Designs, develops, and executes communication systems to ensure effective exchange of information between project stakeholders, senior management, and staff. Required Education and Experience Bachelor's Degree in a related field and four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Required License(s) or Certification(s) Required License(s) or Certification(s): Physical Requirements Physical Requirements:

Job Posting Date

05/15/2026

Job Category

Professional

Bargaining Unit

NON

Compensation Grade

Administration & Operations

Compensation Grade Profile

Supervisor; Senior Associate (23)

Salary Range

$65,000.00 - $101,000.00

Time Type

Full time

Duration Type

Staff

Work Model

On-site

About Yale University

Yale University is a private Ivy League research university in New Haven, Connecticut. Founded in 1701, it is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States. Yale has a diverse student body and offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in a range of academic fields. The university is known for its strong liberal arts program, as well as its professional schools of law, business, and medicine. Yale has produced numerous notable alumni, including five U.S. Presidents and 20 Nobel laureates.
Learn more about Yale University
Size
13,433 employees
Industry
Founded
1701

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