Horticulture Design Manager

Why Southern Land?

We offer a distinctive experience for emerging design professionals, including more influence over the design process from initial concept to final execution and the ability to work directly with clients.

Our full-service company is comprised of planning, architecture, design, construction, marketing, and resident experience professionals—all in-house and working together every day to envision and create uniquely beautiful places.

Position Summary

The successful candidate will have extensive horticultural knowledge and advanced container design expertise to lead seasonal design efforts across our nationwide portfolio.  This leadership role requires a sophisticated understanding of plant materials across diverse climate zones, the creative vision to design stunning seasonal displays that reflect the luxury standards of our properties, and the management skills to oversee design team members and coordinate with both external subcontractors and internal horticulture teams.  From initial concept through installation and performance monitoring, this role requires an individual to be committed to creating exceptional outdoor flower displays that enhance our resident experience and community value. The salary range for this position is $90,000 to $100,000, based on experience.

Essential Functions

• Design seasonal planting displays for all planting beds and containers across the Multi-family portfolio. Below are the locations of our MF communities.
  • 2- Long Island, NY
  • 1- White Plains, NY
  • 3- Philadelphia, PA
  • 1- Charleston, SC
  • 1- Nashville, TN
  • 1- Fort Worth, TX
  • 1- Denver, CO
  • 3- Las Vegas, NV
• Design seasonal planting displays for all planting beds and containers across the Single-family portfolio outside of Middle Tennessee. Below are the locations.
  • Erie, CO
  • McKinney, TX
  • Dripping Springs, TX
• Develop comprehensive seasonal display packages including plant selections, color palettes, container specifications, planting layouts, and design renderings.
• Present seasonal design packages to the VP of Horticulture months in advance of the planting season, including detailed cost estimates.
• Create detailed planting plans and layout drawings in collaboration with the Horticulture Coordinator to guide installation crews.
• Collaborate with local vendors to source high-quality plant materials from various nurseries, growers, and wholesalers appropriate.
• Develop and maintain relationships with plant suppliers to ensure availability, quality, and competitive pricing.
• Prepare detailed cost estimates for each seasonal installation including plant materials, containers, soil amendments and installation labor.
• Be onsite for seasonal planting installations to ensure design intent is executed accurately and quality standards are maintained.
• Document installation progress with photos, notes, and troubleshooting issues that arise.
• Monitor and document performance throughout each growing season, tracking plant health, aesthetic quality and overall display effectiveness.
• Communicate regularly with on-site management regarding vendor performance and community feedback.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directly supervise and mentor our Horticulture Display Designers for other Southern Land communities, at the moment Middle-Tennessee only.
• Review and approve seasonal design packages developed by SLC Horticulture Designers, ensuring alignment with portfolio-wide standards and budget parameters.
• Provide constructive feedback on design concepts to SLC Horticulture designers as well as SLC Landscape Architects.

Maintenance Team Collaboration

• Work closely with the horticultural maintenance teams to ensure plantings are properly cared for according to design team specifications.
• Provide detailed care instructions and maintenance guidelines for each installation, including watering schedules, deadheading protocols, fertilization requirements and pest management.

Community Engagement

• Engaging the public through workshops, DIY videos, experience with designing, implementing, and maintenance of seasonal display containers, and gardens.
• Act as a contact person for Horticulture related questions and needs from homeowners/residents and Community Management.
• Educate homeowners/residents on the proper care of plant material.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of ornamental plants suitable for various climates throughout the United States, including annuals, perennials, ornamental grasses, shrubs and other seasonal interest materials.

• Understanding of plant selection criteria including light requirements, moisture needs, growth habits, and maintenance requirements.
• Familiarity with container design principles including color theory, texture, scales and plant combinations.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills with ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for documentation, budgeting and presentations.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
• Ability to give and receive constructive feedback in a professional design team environment.

Required Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 2-year degree in Horticulture, or related field
• Minimum of 5 years designing, purchasing and maintaining seasonal displays professionally
• Experience with rooftop and terrace garden design
• Experience conducting workshops in container, and display gardening, and seasonal Horticultural practices

Preferred Education and Experience

• Bachelors Degree in Horticulture or Landscape Architecture

Physical Requirements

• Ability to travel extensively. (Up to 50% during peak installation periods)
• Valid drivers license with clean driving record
• Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions
• Physical capability to walk properties, climb stairs and inspect terrace/courtyard installations.
• Physical capability to lift 25 lbs, bend, crouch, kneel for extended periods of time during installations.

Company Overview

Southern Land Company believes that community is the heart of every successful development project. With that as our starting point, we create residential developments around the country that provide a generous, comfortable lifestyle to those that call them home. In support of our single family and multifamily projects, we also undertake key retail, office, and recreation developments to craft convenient, complete communities. We believe in big ideas and paying attention to every detail required to realize them.

We Have…

• A strong brand recognized for quality, performance, and artistry
• Guiding principles of creativity and innovation
• An open mind for new ideas and creative methods
• A strong compensation and benefits package, including health, vision, dental, 401k with a strong match and more!

Southern Land Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and we seek to create an inclusive work place that embraces diverse backgrounds, life experiences and perspectives. Southern Land Company offers a competitive benefits package, including 401k and paid time off.  Southern Land Company is a Drug Free Workplace.  For more information, please visit our website at www.southernland.com.

The above information is only an illustration of the general nature and level of work performed by the employee within this classification. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the Company and employee and is subject to change by the Company as the needs of the Company and requirements of the job change.

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