Austin Horticulture Manager

Position Summary: Responsible for leading, coordinating, and actively contributing to all aspects of horticulture, landscape maintenance, and grounds management. Ensures the grounds and improvements are maintained to the highest aesthetic standards. Oversees daily horticultural operations, including plant health, irrigation, seasonal maintenance, and landscape improvements. Provides hands-on guidance to the horticulture team while collaborating with other staff, vendors, and contractors to ensure seamless property operations
 

Position Responsibilities:  

• Partner with the Horticulture team, other staff members, and outside contractors to meet property objectives and maintain exceptional landscape standards.
• Maintain a high level of service, attention to detail, sophistication, aesthetic value, and horticultural excellence across designated properties.
• Proactively anticipate, identify, and address landscape maintenance needs, plant health concerns, and opportunities for property improvements.
• Assist in planning, coordinating, and overseeing contracted landscape and horticultural services across multiple Austin properties.
• Develop, monitor, and manage the horticulture budget in collaboration with leadership, ensuring efficient use of resources and cost-effective solutions.
• Identify opportunities to improve landscaping practices, irrigation efficiency, plant health, and the overall appearance and sustainability of the grounds.
• Execute special projects as directed by the leadership team and provide recommendations for short- and long-term horticultural improvements.
• Ensure all horticultural activities, equipment usage, and contracted services comply with applicable OSHA, federal, and state safety regulations.
   

Essential skills and experience:  

• College Degree in Horticulture or equivalent work experience 5+ years landscaping or garden or nursery experience or any combination of education, licensing, specialized training, and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Overall knowledge of landscape maintenance/construction; turf care, annual color, perennials, water, and plant health requirements, pruning, and fertilization techniques
• Demonstrated experience managing, leading, and developing a team while fostering accountability, collaboration, and high performance
• Ability to proactively set and implement daily/yearly goals within a set timeline with little instruction, while remaining flexible
• Ability to collaborate and prioritize with a sense of vision and direction to achieve excellence
• Ability to assess disparate information and distill it into a concise report 
• Advanced computer skills and smartphone proficiency
• Keen attention to detail, honesty, adaptability, dependability, and a willingness to do hands-on work
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; positive attitude
• Excellent time management skills / Ability to organize and manage multiple projects
• Possess a valid driver’s license with a good driving record

Valued but not required skills and experience:  

• Private estate/hotel hospitality experience beneficial
• Bilingual in English/Spanish

Physical demands and work environment:  The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical demands:  Extensive standing, walking, twisting, turning, bending, reaching, pushing, pulling, and heavy lifting.  Close vision demands due to moderate desktop computer work requirements.  Driving of personal vehicle required to various locations.  Occasional lifting of up to 15 pounds.
• Travel: Occasional travel required., often on short notice.
• Work environment:  Outdoor setting, rough terrain. Occasional office/cubical work. Noise level usually moderate to loud

• General sign-off: The employee is expected to adhere to and ensure compliance with all relevant OSHA safety regulations for all personnel; as well as all company policies, and to act as a role model in the adherence to policies.  

Qualifications

WHO ARE YOU?

You are a self-motivated, go-getter who takes extreme pride in their work. You require little supervision, and work well independently; but also enjoy being part of a team. You are detail oriented, and work well with structure and schedules; but you're fluid enough to change direction with little notice. You're open to feedback, because you always want to be just a little better than you were the day before. You think on your feet, and are an effective communicator - regardless of whether you're chatting with an intern or presenting to the CEO. You are able to manage multiple projects at once, and have great people management skills, for when it's time to delegate. You're professional, but don't take yourself too seriously and have an excellent sense of humor. You consider your profession more of a lifestyle than just a job - and are passionate about the career path you've chosen for yourself. You are open-minded, and willing to speak up when you have great ideas. You aren't afraid of change, and seek out opportunities to improve processes. You're comfortable leading (and completing) projects, and do so with a positive attitude. Your background likely consists of work on large properties, private estates, or in luxury hotels. You've taken on a lot in your career, and you're ready for your next challenge!

WHO ARE WE?

DFI is a private property management company dedicated to providing unparalleled Service Excellence to our clients. In support of our goal, we work hard to develop an amazing culture for our teams which extends far beyond a typical organization or benefits package. We offer many exciting programs that focus on developing the whole person - we work hard, play hard and know how to have FUN!

Why DFI?

• Fun, team-oriented environment
• Competitive salary and performance based bonus program
• 100% employer paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their dependents (with participation in our Wellness Incentive Program)
• 401(k) + match
• Generous vacation and personal time off allowance
• Charitable donation matching program
• Training and development opportunities
• Programs and activities to encourage a balanced lifestyle

This is a drug free workplace where all candidates are required to complete a background check and drug test before employment

DFI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind: DFI is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at DFI are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to age, race, color, religion or belief, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. DFI will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.