Adult Education Manager

Adult learning, Adult education

Job Posting: Adult Education Manager

Organization: Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association

Location: Vancouver, BC

Date posted: February 2026

The Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association (VBGA) and Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation (Park Board) are joint operating partners of Van Dusen Botanical Garden and Bloedel Conservatory. The VBGA is a charitable organization that offers membership, education, volunteering, and fundraising programs to support the Gardens, and fulfills our mission of inspiring generations to conserve, protect, and enhance the natural world. To learn more about our organization, visit our website.

The Adult Education Program Manager provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all adult & teacher education programs at Van Dusen Botanical Garden and Bloedel Conservatory. Reporting to the Assistant Director of Education, this role focuses on delivery of current programs, expanding program reach, ensuring financial sustainability, and fostering community engagement through high‑quality botanical and environmental education.

• Permanent, full-time position.
• Annual salary; $55, commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package
• RRSP matching program
• 4 weeks paid vacation, in addition to paid time off Dec 25th
  - Jan 1st
• Office located within 55‑acre botanical garden
• Supportive work culture
• Reimbursement for all approved work‑related expenses, including mileage, supplies, and other work‑related costs.

• 35 hours a week
• Primarily onsite with some flexibility for remote work
• Weekend and evening work required
• Free onsite parking available

• Organizational Direction:
  Develop and implement strategic goals to advance the VBGA’s mission through innovative adult and teacher programming.
• Leadership & Team Supervision:
  Provide supervision & oversight of the Teacher Programs Specialist; work closely to coordinate with the Education Programs Assistant. Manage recruitment, hiring, training, and performance processes.
• Program Development:
  Lead the end‑to‑end design, scheduling, and evaluation of adult learner courses, workshops, and tours covering the core themes of gardening & design, botanical arts, people & plants, ecology & botany.
• Relationship Management:
  Build a vibrant community of contracted instructors, educators and partner organizations by recruiting top‑tier talent and fostering strong relationships to achieve shared goals.
• Operational Excellence:
  Develop and maintain a year‑round master schedule; manage classroom logistics, instructor assignments, and cross‑departmental coordination, as well as oversee registration databases, optimize room use, and lead data‑driven reporting.
• Volunteer Engagement:
  Oversee volunteer Education Hosts, including training and appreciation events.
• Integrated Team Support:
  Support broader educational initiatives (youth programs, field trips, Indigenous‑led programs, library services, etc.) as needed, to ensure cohesive educational strategy.
• Financial Oversight:
  Manage the Adult Education budget including planning, execution of revenue tracking, and monthly reporting.
• Cross‑Departmental
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Collaborate across Marketing, Development, Membership, and with community partners to produce high‑quality communications, support grant and donor engagement, align programming with Member interests, and cultivate partnerships that advance VBGA’s strategic goals.
• Representation:
  Represent the VBGA through outreach & programming events.

• Education:
  
  Degree in Education, Science, Environmental Science, Botany, Recreation, Museum Studies, or related fields.
• Professional
  
  Experience:
  
  3-5+ years of program management experience in non‑profit, educational, recreational, or botanical settings, with a strong foundation in adult learning principles (inquiry‑based and experiential) and an understanding of BC Curriculum, teachers & school communities.
• Expertise & Proven Interest:
  Deep‑seeded passion and a proven track record in horticulture, botany, ecology, and/or related fields, whether academic or practical experience & training.
• Adaptab…