Operations Manager for Garden Preservation

ABOUT THE COMPANY

At Dabney Collins, our mission is to provide the best landscape design-build experience in the Southeast, guiding our clients from the first design discussion through the entire construction process to create personal, joyous, and enduring outdoor spaces. As our Operations Manager for the Garden Preservation Division, your primary role would be to build and lead a brand-new division dedicated to fine gardening and long-term garden care, establishing the standards, systems, and team needed to preserve and maintain exceptional, high-end outdoor spaces, starting with our current and past residential clients and growing to serve additional high-end residential clients over time.

OUR CORE VALUES

Who we are and how we do our work:

Client & Quality Centered
Collaborative Teamwork
Mentorship & Development
Innovation & Creativity
Direct Engagement
Accountable & Responsible
Integrity & Transparency

ABOUT THE ROLE

As the Operations Manager of the Garden Preservation Division, you would be responsible for defining, launching, and growing this new division from the ground up. This role blends hands-on horticultural expertise with operational and business leadership, ensuring that fine gardening, ornamental plant care, and long-term garden maintenance are delivered to the highest standard for our high-end residential and estate clients. The division would initially focus on current and past residential clients, expanding to new high-end residential clients once operations reach a stable, consistent level of performance; this division will not offer commercial services. Outlined below are the responsibilities of the Operations Manager for the Garden Preservation Division.

DIVISION STRATEGY AND GROWTH

Define the vision, scope, and service offerings of the Garden Preservation Division, establishing it as a distinct, high-end residential service line within the company.
Develop a phased growth strategy that begins by serving current and past residential clients, then expands the division to new high-end residential clients once operations reach a stable, consistent level of performance; the division would not offer commercial services.
Build the standard operating procedures, service protocols, and quality standards that define fine gardening and garden preservation for the division.
Determine the specialized equipment, tools, and vehicles needed to launch and operate the division, and source or procure that equipment as the division scales.
Identify new service opportunities, pricing tiers, and program offerings that support long-term division growth and profitability.
Partner with sales and account management teams to promote the division and convert new high-end residential garden preservation and maintenance opportunities.

FINE GARDENING AND HORTICULTURAL STANDARDS

Oversee pruning, shaping, and structural maintenance of ornamental shrubs, specimen trees, hedges, and perennial beds to the highest fine gardening standard, not general landscape or vegetable garden maintenance.
Establish and enforce fine gardening practices, including deadheading, edging, mulching, soil cultivation, cutbacks, and seasonal clean-up, across all maintained outdoor spaces.
Develop plant health and integrated pest management (IPM) programs, including scouting, disease and pest identification, and treatment protocols.
Ensure proper plant selection, spacing, and placement practices that support long-term garden health, structure, and aesthetic quality.
Stay current on horticultural best practices, plant varieties, and fine gardening trends, incorporating new techniques into division standards.

GARDEN PRESERVATION AND LONG TERM MAINTENANCE

Develop long-term maintenance plans that preserve the original design intent, plant health, and structural integrity of each garden over time.
Establish seasonal maintenance calendars covering pruning cycles, soil health, mulching, and plant replacement needs across the client portfolio.
Build and maintain relationships with plant nurseries and growers to secure quality replacement plant material, favorable pricing, and reliable availability.
Establish quality control processes to inspect maintained gardens for plant health, structure, and visual presentation against original design standards.
Track and forecast maintenance schedules, budgets, and material needs across the client portfolio.

TEAM LEADERSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT

Recruit, hire, and train gardeners, horticulturists, and crew leads to build a skilled team capable of delivering high-end fine gardening services.
Develop training programs that build technical proficiency in pruning, plant health, and fine gardening craftsmanship.
Set clear performance expectations, conduct evaluations, and mentor team members to support growth and retention within the division.
Foster a culture of craftsmanship, attention to detail, and pride of ownership across the garden care team.

SCHEDULING, CLIENT, AND FIELD OPERATIONS

Oversee crew scheduling, route planning, and resource allocation to ensure properties receive timely, consistent, high-quality service.
Serve as the primary point of contact for current, past, and new high-end residential clients regarding garden preservation and maintenance expectations.
Conduct regular site visits and property walkthroughs to monitor quality, address client concerns, and identify opportunities for additional services.
Coordinate with irrigation, design, and installation teams to ensure gardens receive proper water, drainage, and support for long-term plant health.
Evaluate ongoing equipment needs and maintain the tools, vehicles, and materials required to support fine gardening and garden preservation work.

PROFITABILITY AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Develop and manage the division’s budget, including labor, materials, plant procurement, and equipment costs.
Build pricing models and service packages that reflect the value of high-end fine gardening and garden preservation while supporting healthy margins.
Monitor job costing, crew productivity, and profitability by property, adjusting operations to improve efficiency.
Establish KPIs and dashboards to track division growth, client retention, and financial performance over time.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

Strong hands-on knowledge of fine gardening, ornamental pruning, plant health, and long-term garden care for high-end outdoor spaces, not vegetable gardening or production agriculture.
Proven ability to build, launch, and grow a new service line or division, including strategy, systems, and team development.
Strong leadership, training, and team management skills, with the ability to develop crews and instill quality standards.
Business and financial acumen, including budgeting, pricing, and job costing.
Excellent client relationship and communication skills, particularly with high-end residential clientele.
Working knowledge of fine gardening equipment and tools, with the ability to determine, evaluate, and source the equipment needed to run the division.
Degree or certification in Horticulture, Landscape Management, or a related field preferred; equivalent hands-on experience will be considered.
5+ years of experience in high-end garden maintenance, horticulture, or landscape operations, with demonstrated leadership experience.

REPORTING, COMPENSATION, AND BENEFITS

This role reports directly to the Director of Operations and would be responsible for building out and leading the Garden Preservation Division’s team of gardeners, crew leads, and horticultural specialists.
Compensation would include a base salary, performance-based bonus opportunities tied to division growth and profitability, and support for professional and leadership development.
Professional development may include horticultural certifications, industry conferences, and continued education in fine gardening and business leadership.

CULTURAL EXPECTATIONS

Embody company core values and bring a passion for horticultural excellence, craftsmanship, and client experience to every property.
Promote continuous learning, innovation, and pride of ownership as the division grows.

Apply Now

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Operations Manager for Garden Preservation

Apply Now

Back to Open Positions