Executive Director

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

JOB DESCRIPTION

February 2026

BACKGROUND

Denver Urban Gardens (DUG) is a 501(c)(3) organization nationally recognized as a leader in creating sustainable community gardens. DUG, located in Denver Colorado, was founded in 1985 to support local neighborhoods in establishing food-producing community gardens and has expanded into nutrition education and training programs, school partnerships, and work in food access.

DUG is seeking an Executive Director who is passionate about creating spaces of community impact around food forests, gardening, community-building, sustainability, food justice, and climate action.

DUG’s mission is to provide access, skills, and resources for people to grow healthy food in community and regenerate urban green spaces.

Our vision is a sustainable urban future where people are deeply and directly connected to the earth, each other, and the food they eat.

Our values are to:  Earn TRUST | Demonstrate INTEGRITY | Embrace EQUITY | Build COMMUNITY | Inspire CURIOSITY

THE ROLE

The next Executive Director of DUG will have the exciting opportunity to chart the course for this dynamic, 40-year-old organization from July 2026. This role offers a chance to shape DUG’s future with bold ideas, strategic leadership, effective fundraising, and top-notch execution. The Executive Director reports to DUG’s board of directors.

Strategic Leadership

• Set annual and longer-term strategic direction for the organization in partnership with staff, board, constituents, and partners.
• Identify, recruit, and be the main point of contact for the Advisory Council.
• Set clear and measurable goals to ensure DUG realizes its MVP.

Team Leadership

• Be an inspiring and accessible leader who motivates staff to perform at the highest level, fosters collaboration and communication across departments, and invests in the professional growth of senior leaders.
• Continually evaluate the health and effectiveness of the entire team - employees and contractors
• Directly manage Senior Directors of Gardens, Education, and Finance & Operations to ensure that DUG continues to build a positive, collaborative, and supportive culture that attracts and retains staff, provides opportunities for professional development, and has robust HR practices.
• Ensure that everyone understands how their role contributes to advancing the organization’s mission.
• Nurture an integrated and inclusive work culture rooted in open communication and a shared sense of purpose.

Financial and Operational Leadership

• Build, track, and achieve an annual, board-approved budget in partnership with SDOF, Finance Committee, and Program Leads.
• Provide strategic direction in operations to ensure overall operational/financial health and sustainability.
• Collaborate with senior team members to ensure that DUG’s operations and finances are aligned with best practices and the goals of the strategic plan.
• Partner with the SDOF to develop plans and financial projections to guide decision-making and ensure the organization evolves in alignment with available resources.
• Oversee the union’s operations, managing its finances, and ensuring compliance with union polices.

Development & External Affairs

• Communicate DUG’s Mission, Vision, and Purpose so that all internal and external stakeholders understand DUG’s primary goals and know how their work and partnership contribute to making them a reality.
• In collaboration with the Development Team, serve as a primary fundraiser for the organization; be a compelling and engaging spokesperson and advocate with the ability to succinctly and clearly explain DUG’s approach and outcomes to broad audiences.
• Work with the Development Team and the board of directors to ensure that DUG is maximizing its revenue potential by identifying and cultivating new donors and stewarding and upgrading existing ones across all revenue streams.
• Identify and develop productive partnerships that increase the organization’s reach, enhance its reputation, and provide new opportunities for programming.
• Continue to expand recognition and awareness of DUG nationally and globally as a leader in the field; travel as needed in order to meet with donors, partners, other stakeholders, and represent the organization in the media, at conferences, on panels, and in other appropriate venues.
• Know all contacts of a certain category. Delegate relationship management of all other categories.

• Foundations
• Corporate/business
• Government
• Individual
• Major

Board Relations

• Primary Board Liaison
• Work directly with the Board Chair as your go-to partner, boss, and board boss
• Work with the Executive Committee to identify board candidates on an ongoing basis
• Work closely with an engaged and active board to determine and evaluate the strategic direction for DUG
• Develop strong relationships with each board member, ensuring their contribution to DUG is aligned with their interests and the organization’s needs.
• Partner with the current board to attract, engage, and retain board members who can help the organization realize its mission and vision.
• Ensure board members have meaningful ways to participate in the evolution of the organization, contributing their wealth, wisdom, and/or work as appropriate.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for DUG’s Advisory Council
• Utilize board committees to achieve organizational goals.
• Meetings

• • Quarterly full board

• • Q3 board meeting doubles as a board retreat

• • December budget review

REQUIRED SKILLS, EXPERIENCES, & QUALIFICATIONS

PREFERRED SKILLS

• Preferred, extended years in a nonprofit organization and required, strong leadership knowledge and experience.

COMPENSATION + BENEFITS

Salary range is $130,000 to $150,000, may qualify for a performance bonus, full-time exempt, fully benefited position based on experience and skill set. Benefits include paid holidays, vacation, and other personal time off, as well as generous employer-sponsored health and dental insurance plans, and retirement plans.

DUG offers professional learning opportunities in Horticulture, Urban Agriculture, Food Access. Health & Wellness, Climate Action, Community Garden Building & Education, Community Garden Establishment and Support, School Gardens. There is potential for opportunities for advancement within Denver Urban Gardens as our programming expands.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send your resume to Dnash@hrainc.biz  with DUG Executive Director in the subject line for a confidential interview. In your cover letter, please be sure to include how both the position and DUG align with your values and goals.

Application closing date: March 9, 2026

EQUITY STATEMENT

DUG centers equity as one of its organizational values and we value diversity — in backgrounds and in experiences. We believe food is a universal right, and we need people from all backgrounds and swaths of life to help build the future of our food system.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, and our staff are people with different strengths, experiences and backgrounds, who share a passion for improving people's lives. Diversity not only includes race and gender identity, but also age, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, religion and many other parts of one’s identity. All of our employees’ points of view are key to our success, and inclusion is everyone's responsibility.

Thank you for your interest in our organization and community.

Please forward your resume and cover letter to Dnash@hrainc.biz for a confidential interview.