Employment Opportunities

Sr. Marketing and Communications Manager

FULL-TIME 

REPORTS TO: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Position Summary

The Sr. Manager of Marketing and Communications serves as the Arboretum’s lead marketing and communications professional, responsible for advancing the organization’s brand, storytelling, public visibility, audience engagement, membership growth, earned revenue, philanthropic support, and community impact.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the Sr. Manager of Marketing and Communications develops and implements integrated marketing, communications, public relations, and audience development strategies that strengthen the Arboretum’s position as one of Southern California’s premier public gardens, museums, and cultural destinations.

Working collaboratively across all departments, the Sr. Manager of Marketing and Communications oversees digital communications, media relations, website strategy, social media, digital marketing, publications, visitor communications, community outreach, and organizational storytelling. The position plays a critical role in promoting educational programs, conservation initiatives, special events, fundraising efforts, and major capital projects while ensuring consistent messaging and meaningful engagement with members, donors, visitors, volunteers, community partners, and the public.

The successful candidate is an innovative and data-informed communications professional who combines strategic vision with hands-on execution and is passionate about connecting people with nature, history, culture, and lifelong learning.

Position Summary

Strategy and Planning

• Develop and execute an annual marketing and communications plan aligned with the Garden’s goals for attendance, membership, and fundraising.

• Build seasonal campaigns around blooms, exhibitions, festivals, and programs.

• Set goals, track performance, and report results to leadership and the board.

Digital and Content

• Manage the website, including content updates, SEO, and accessibility.

• Plan and produce content for Instagram, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and other channels.

• Write and send email newsletters and membership campaigns.

• Coordinate photography and video that showcase the Garden’s beauty year-round.

Public Relations and Media

• Write press releases/media alerts and pitch stories to local, regional, and trade media.

• Serve as a spokesperson or media contact, as needed

• Prepare communications for milestones, new exhibits, and any crisis or closure situations.

Partnerships and Community Engagement

• Build relationships with tourism organizations, neighborhood groups, schools, cultural institutions, and influencers

• Manage advertising, sponsorship promotions, and cross-marketing opportunities

• Ensure outreach reflects and welcomes LA’s diverse communities

Brand and Collateral

• Maintain brand standards across signage, brochures, maps, and program materials.

• Oversee freelancers, designers, printers, and external agencies.

• Manage the marketing budget.

Collaboration

• Work closely with Development, Education, Special Events, and Horticulture teams to promote programs and fundraising efforts.

• Support member and donor communications, including annual reports and appeals.

Qualifications Required

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism, or a related field, or equivalent experience

• 5+ years of progressively responsible experience, in marketing or communications, ideally in a nonprofit, cultural, hospitality, or tourism setting

• Exceptional writing, editing, storytelling, and presentation skills.

• Proven experience managing social media, email marketing, and website content

• Experience with tools such as a CMS (WordPress or similar), email platforms (Mailchimp, Constant Contact, or similar), and Canva or Adobe Creative Suite

• Strong project management skills and the ability to juggle multiple deadlines

• Comfort analyzing data (Google Analytics, social insights) to guide decisions

• Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends for events

Preferred

• Experience with a botanical garden, museum, zoo, or other visitor attraction

• Knowledge of horticulture, sustainability, or environmental education

• Familiarity with the Los Angeles media landscape and tourism market

• Experience with CRM or ticketing systems (Tessitura, Altru, Salesforce, or similar)

• Basic photo and video skills

• Bilingual in English, Spanish and/or Chinese

Core Competencies

• Creative and detail-oriented, with a strong eye for visual quality

• Collaborative and personable, with the ability to work across departments

• Self-directed and resourceful, especially in a small-team environment

• A genuine enthusiasm for plants, nature, and community

Work Environment
Work is split between office and outdoor garden settings. The role may involve walking on uneven terrain, spending time outdoors in varying weather, and occasionally lifting up to twenty-five [25] pounds for event setup. May require occasional early morning, after hours or weekend events/programs.

Benefits
Health, dental, and vision insurance; retirement plan; paid time off and holidays; free Garden membership and reciprocal admission benefits.

Compensation
$70,000-90,000 annually

How to Apply
Send your resume and cover letter to Christine Oliva in Human Resources at christine.oliva@arboretum.org

Event-Set Up and Venue Services

PART-TIME  •  20 HRS / WEEK  •  NON-EXEMPT (W-2)

 REPORTS TO: SPECIAL EVENTS & PRODUCTION MANAGER

Position Summary

The Event Set-Up and Venue Services position supports the daily operations of the Special Events Department by preparing, maintaining, and restoring event spaces to ensure a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for guests, vendors, and staff. This role is responsible for event set-up and breakdown, furniture and equipment placement, signage installation, venue cleanliness, and transportation support using shuttles and golf carts. Working closely with the Special Events & Production Manager and other team members, this position helps ensure events run smoothly, spaces are event-ready, and guests receive professional service. The role requires strong attention to detail, teamwork, flexibility, and the ability to perform physical tasks in both indoor and outdoor settings.

Key Responsibilities

• Set up and break down event furniture, décor, rentals, and equipment per floor plans; support vendor load-in/load-out and transitions between events.
• Safely operate shuttles and golf carts for guest, vendor, and inventory transport; assist with parking flow and accessibility.
• Install and remove directional and wayfinding
• Maintain cleanliness of indoor and outdoor spaces before, during, and after
• Perform light maintenance; identify and report hazards or repair needs; clean and maintain golf carts, signage, and equipment.
• Provide professional, guest-ready service at all
• Clean and restore indoor and outdoor event spaces before, during, and after Collect and dispose of trash, remove debris, clear tables, and ensure event areas are clean, and orderly.
• Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned to support the needs of the Special Events Department and the overall operations of the organization.

Qualifications

• 1+ years in event coordination, administrative support, hospitality, or a related field; events experience a plus.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; able to juggle multiple competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Clear, professional written and verbal communication with a warm, responsive, customer-service
• Ability to read room layouts and move furniture/equipment (or learn quickly).
• Strong ability to follow directions precisely; clear communication
• Event or venue experience a
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including occasional evenings and weekends for
• Aptitude for technology and office systems; ability to learn new platforms
• Passion for gardens, nature, arts, or cultural institutions preferred; nonprofit experience a

Compensation

$20 per hour, commensurate with experience. Part-time (10-20 hrs/week), non-benefits-eligible. Classified as a W-2, non-exempt employee.

How to Apply

• Please submit your cover letter and resume to christine.oliva@arboretum.org

The LA Arboretum Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Special Events Assistant

PART-TIME   •   20-25 HRS / WEEK   •   NON-EXEMPT (W-2)    

REPORTS TO: SPECIAL EVENTS & PRODUCTION MANAGER

About Us

The Arboretum is a 127-acre botanical garden and historical site in the heart of the historic Rancho Santa Anita in the San Gabriel Valley. More than 500,000 guests visit annually from around the world. Our mission is to cultivate our natural, horticultural, and historic resources for learning, enjoyment, and inspiration.

Position Summary

The Special Events Assistant is the operational backbone of the Special Events Department, ensuring no inquiry, event, or detail falls through the cracks. This role owns inbound intake logistics, document production, scheduling, and staff and volunteer coordination — the behind-the-scenes infrastructure that keeps the Sales Coordinator focused on selling and the Special Events & Production Manager focused on strategy and execution. It directly protects revenue by ensuring every lead receives a fast, complete response and every booked event is fully coordinated.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide same-day first response to all inbound event inquiries across platforms (The Knot, WeddingWire), direct email, and the Peacock Café pipeline; qualify at intake, schedule tours, and route qualified sales leads to the Sales Coordinator.
• Log every lead and maintain CRM data hygiene, event calendars, vendor contact lists, and booking records across platforms.
• Build and maintain the department’s document suite — wedding and corporate packets, proposals, contracts, BEOs, run-of-show, load-in schedules, and staff assignment sheets — under direction of the Special Events & Production Manager.
• Manage tour and event scheduling in Microsoft Bookings, including holds, buffers, and confirmations.
• Own event staffing and volunteer coordination: assign and confirm monitors, staff, and volunteers; distribute call times and day-of contact sheets via email, phone, and scheduling platform.
• Conduct venue tours as backup when the Sales Coordinator is unavailable, so no qualified client waits on a response.
• Coordinate event logistics and compliance: collect COIs and permits, track deadlines, manage rental orders and equipment checklists, and flag alcohol, fire, and safety items ahead of events.
• Prepare a weekly inquiry-and-conversion snapshot and support internal reports, meeting agendas, and presentation materials for department and leadership meetings.
• Provide on-site operational support at indoor and outdoor events and handle post-event follow-up, surveys, and invoicing hand-off to Finance.

Qualifications

• 1+ years in event coordination, administrative support, hospitality, or a related field; events experience a plus.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; able to juggle multiple competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Clear, professional written and verbal communication with a warm, responsive, customer-service orientation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, Bookings, Teams) and Google Workspace; comfort with CRM / database tools (Blackbaud Altru, Airtable, or similar) a plus.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including occasional evenings and weekends for events.
• Aptitude for technology and office systems; ability to learn new platforms quickly.
• Passion for gardens, nature, arts, or cultural institutions preferred; nonprofit experience a plus.

Compensation

• $22.00 per hour, commensurate with experience. Part-time (20 – 25 hrs/week), non-benefits-eligible. Classified as a W-2, non-exempt employee.

How to Apply

• Please submit your cover letter and resume to christine.oliva@arboretum.org

The Los Angeles Arboretum Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and over), sexual orientation, or any other status protected by California or federal law.