Vice President of Gardens, Cheekwood Estate & Gardens

Posted 10/9/25

With its intact and picturesque vistas, Cheekwood is distinguished as one of the leading Country Place Era estates in the nation. Formerly the family home of Mabel and Leslie Cheek, the 1930s estate, with its 30,000-square-foot Mansion and 55-acres of gardens, today serves the public as a botanical garden, arboretum, and art museum with furnished period rooms and galleries devoted to American art from the 18th to mid-20th centuries. The property includes 13 distinct gardens including the Blevins Japanese Garden and the Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden, as well as a 1.5-mile woodland trail featuring 13 monumental contemporary sculptures.

Each year, Cheekwood hosts seasonal festivals including Cheekwood in Bloom, Summertime at Cheekwood, Cheekwood Harvest and Holiday LIGHTS. Cheekwood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and nationally as a Level II Arboretum. It is a three-time voted USA Today Top 10 Botanical Garden; in 2021 was named by Fodors as one of the 12 Most Beautiful Gardens in the American South; in 2024 and 2025 received a Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award; and in 2025 HGTV distinguished Cheekwood as the best botanical garden in Tennessee.

The Vice President of Gardens will serve as a key leader and subject matter expert on collections, horticulture, and events among an engaged and experienced leadership team led by Jane MacLeod, President and CEO, as well as in partnership with the Board of Directors. This individual will provide strong leadership, strategy, partnership and a strong culture among its team, as well as with colleagues throughout Cheekwood. Leadership at Cheekwood is focused on seasoned professionals in their fields as well as exceptional abilities in high-level collaborative management that supports innovation and excellence in a fast-paced environment.

Cheekwood is looking for an accomplished and enthusiastic leader who is ready to take the gardens to the next level, continue to address restoration of historic garden areas, enhance horticulture and continue to develop and collaborate on existing and new garden exhibitions and engagement initiatives and programs at Cheekwood in exciting ways. This leader will possess an extensive and progressive understanding of the mission of Cheekwood and its important contributions. Exceptional candidates should be directed to Kittleman and Associates, whose information is included at the end of this document and is assisting Cheekwood in this search.

A bachelor’s degree in an appropriate discipline (Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Historic Preservation, Public Garden Management, or related field) and a minimum of seven years of related practical experience; progressive supervisory experience and demonstrated organizational success in a similar role.

Compensation for this role will be aligned with the competitive market for a senior role of this nature and commensurate with experience.  Benefits include: Medical Insurance with an HRA, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance (100% paid by Cheekwood), Long Term Disability Insurance (100% paid by Cheekwood), Voluntary Life Insurance, Voluntary Short Term Disability Insurance, 403b and Roth 403b retirement savings plan with a generous employer match, Employee Assistance Program, Paid Time Off, 11 Paid Holidays and Aflac products are offered.

The position will remain open until it is filled, but applicants are highly encouraged to submit their materials as soon as possible to ensure full consideration.

For more information about Cheekwood Estate & Gardens, visit Cheekwood's website here.

Cheekwood Estate & Gardens Position Guide